Synclade eased into her seat at lunch a few days later. Her mind still sorting through what had occurred the other day. She had gotten faster, that was the truth.
This morning she had clocked herself on a run. Normally the course would have took about five minutes to do, she had finished it in half that time. It was impressive how fast she had gotten after one training session with Wayland.
The sudden offer of joining his party was unnerving thought. Synclade knew there was an hidden agenda to the group's reasoning. Had they found out who she really was? No, otherwise they would have been way more forceful with their offer.
Synclade had been so wrapped in her thoughts that she hadn't heard the voice beside her.
"Hello? Earth to Synclade. May i sit down?" Priculsa asked, holding a tray of food.
"Huh, oh Pricusla. Sure." Synclade said startled that she had snuck up on her. Her parents would have been really disappointed.
Speaking of, she had just received a letter from them saying that they and her grandfather would be coming in two months time.
"Where's Wayland and Trusga?" Synclade asked, seeing how their group usually ate together at lunch.
"Oh, they went to go check out the competition." Pricusla informed her, eating from her plate slowly.
"Oh." Synclade said before she picked up a fork full of food. "Wait a minute, what competition?"
"What you didn't know? The schools annual Guild-fest is coming up. All the big guilds from around the world will be coming to scope out the new adventurers." Pricusla informed her, pulling out a book on dual casting spells.
"But why are the boys checking them out? I thought only recognized parties could be entered?" Synclade asked, her food now forgotten and cold.
"Cuz they plan on entering. I mean, even if we don't win. The experience will help us grow." Pricusla said in a clam even tone, explaining everything in that one statement.
"Don't you need a party of 4 or more to enter?" Synclade asked, now seeing the possiblr motive behind the request from the other day.
"Yeah, i guess we'll just get a filler. I mean, it's not like we asked you to be a filler. You do have some pretty good talents. Your aim with a bow, BOOM. Out of this world. How far can you hit a target anyways?" Pricusla asked after explaining just how powerful the team could be in a few months time.
'So that's why my parents and grandfather are coming to see me. I mean being the head of a major guild would mean they have to show up to scout the rookies.' Synclade thought, now seeing the reason behind her family's letter. 'This would also be an opportunity for them to see how far i've progressed. They would be disappointed if i didn't at least try to better myself.'
"Pricusla." Synclade startedn playing with her cold food.
"Hmmm?" Pricusla looked up from her book.
"What would happen if i entered with your party?" Synclade asked cautiously, knowing she was part of the group she had just declined a few days ago.
"Oh. Hmmm, we might get into the top ten or maybe even the top six. I mean people would be a little weary of us cuz of Wayland's stunt the first day, other's might think it was just a fluke. Tell ya what, how about you enter with us and if you like being in the party after the festival then you can stay." Pricusla informed the Drow.
"If i don't like being in it? What then?" Synclade asked, curious to see where this might be going.
"You can leave. Simple as that. How's that sound Wayland?" Pricusla asked the question to the figure behind herself.
"That sounds fine to me. I already asked the Headmaster and Ms. Kamil if we could do a G-rank quest to test our limits. I mean, we will be going against second through sixth year parties." Wayland informed the two girls.
"Fine. Wayland, i accept." Synclade answered the unasked question. "Besides, you owe me some answers. You touched me once, you missed me about thirty four times."
"Are you sure i missed on purpose?" Wayland asked as he left to go collect the quest from Ms. Kamil.
Synclade watched the retreating figure for a moment before turning to her new companion in arms.
"What did he mean by that?" Synclade asked the fidgeting half gnome.
"Why did you have to leave me with this." Pricusla asked to the already gone figure.
Suddenly a screen popped up in front of Synclade, who squeaked a little out of fright.
*Ding*
Do you accept?> "What is this?" Synclade asked staring at the screen. Pricusla opened her own screen, storing the book she had been reading in her inventory. "We all have them. It's Wayland's special skill. The screen shows your level, skills, and stats you have." "Wait? You all have them?" Synclade asked, studying the screen carefully. "Don't worry, it's harmless. Trusga and myself have ran every test we could do and found nothing." Pricusla told her. "Open your main menu. You'll find your stats and skills there." *Ding* Name: Synclade Class: Rouge (undecided) Race: Drow Level: 1 (50/100) Stats: Health: 50/50 Stamina: 45/45 Mana: 40/40 Strength: 7 Defense: 5 Charisma: 6 Agility: 8 Intellegence: 5 Dextirity:7 Skills: Sudden Shot: Level 1 (5/10) Flash Step: Level 2 (1/10) Light Shot: Level 1 (3/10) Triple Shot: Level 1 (1/10) Backstab: Level 1 (1/20) Hidden Visage [Passive] (3/100)> "How is this even possible. I learned Sudden Shot when i was eight. I learned almost all of these skills i learned when i was first started training." Synclade explained, perplexed the system knew all this. "I know. You can also look at your companions stats." Pricusla explained, touching a screen and showing Wayland's stats. " You've got to be kidding. His agility is 11. He was playing with me." Synclade retorted angrily. "He was testing you, forcing you into pushing your limits. I mean, he help you level up your Flash step." Pricusla noted to her, hoping this would calm her. "He did, didn't he?" Synclade pondered, studying the screen. *Next day, at the appointed quest area* "So what is the quest?" Pricusla asked, her traveling cloak on. "We are going hunting." Wayland explained, "It seems that a pack of wolves have been harassing the local flocks of sheep. We have been charged with hunting down the pack and killing them." "Really hunting wolves? Can't the local hunters take care of this?" Trusga asked, all of them knowing wolves were the weakest of all monsters. "They have tried. Each time the hunters have laid traps to thin out the pack, they found them tripped. So the alpha is probably a direwolf which is a rank F monster. We'll either be tracking them or waiting for them. Pricusla do you have the map?" Wayland asked the small mage. "I wondered why you wanted me to ask all those herders where they were attacked. Here." Pricusla explained as she laid down the map. The map had several X's next to the woods and a few farther out. The X's had lines drawn toward a centering factor. They all seemed to lead to an abandoned farm just inside the woods. "The hunters tried to trap them here, here, and here." Pricusla pointed out on the map, "We might try the farm, but i don't think that the wolves would be comfortable unless they have new born pups." "If i was the alpha, i would put a few guards here at the farm. Then i would have a tunnel leading to a more protected area." Synclade commented, looking at the map. She was searching for a more in closed, and fortified area. "Maybe here." Synclade pointed to an abandoned silver mine. "That might be possible. Okay, so we check the farm first. If the wolves have any social system. Judging by the time of the attacks, they should be heading out in a few hours. Just around dusk. Let's set up and get ready." Wayland commented, pulling out a sack. "What's that?" Synclade asked, seeing the sack. Wayland pulled out some light leather armor, a staff, a bow, and a sword. "Okay, here is the first formation. Synclade you snipe from a tree and keep moving, don't let us get bit. Pricusla, you provide support to me and Trusga as we thin out the pack. If we can stop them as they start out to hunt. We might have a fighting chance. Next formation would be if we are overwhelmed. Synclade, Trusga, and myself will create a triage around you Pricusla. Then you fire as much as you can." Wayland laid out the plan to the others. "It sounds plausible. We might have a chance, but you are forgetting about the mine. What if reinforcements come from there?" Trusga asked. "Gileon will take care of that side. It shouldn't be to much as the majority of the pack will be coming through the farm." Wayland explained, as Gileon shifted into a medium size volpus form. 'Bad guys won't stand a chance.' Gileon informed them, before rushing off. *Ding* Hunt down a pack of wolves and clear them out. Rewards: Uncommon weapon, uncommon armor, uncommon accessories. 40 exp Do you accept?> "Yes." All the group informed the system. After the party got geared up they headed to the farm. By the time they got there it was almost dusk. "I spot five guards around the house and two sets of three roving patrols." Synclade informed them from the top of the tree. She then pulled out three arrows and nocked them to the bow. "One down, another...", Synclade informed the party as she shot three more arrows. "down. We're clear." "Okay, jump as close as you can before you set-up for the next phase." Wayland told her smirking, 'Those patrols never even stood a chance.' *Ding* < You have been awarded 5 exp per wolf. Due to stealth kills Party Member Synclade gains +2 exp per kill.> 'Okay, i'm almost at Level 3 (65/100). We'll be able to see what the next Skills are.' Wayland thought as the group moved forward towards the farm. The five wolves around the house were getting skittish. The patrols were supposed to be back minutes ago so that all of them could trade out. Suddenly the wolf in front of the door smelled something. Twitching his ear, signaling the rest of the guards who rushed to the front, that something was wrong. The one at the door seemed to be smarter than the rest. 'Could be problematic, now phase two.' Wayland thought as he signaled to Pricusla. Pricusla nodded, then started to cast The lead wolf raised his hackles slowly and bared his teeth, something was off. He didn't like it. Suddenly four out of the five were hit with a highly compressed steam ball. The lead wolf doged at the last moment. Wayland stepped forward as Synclade shot the scalded wolves. "Geez, i thought you would be another wolf. You must be smarter." Wayland told the wolf. Pulling on his gauntlets, making sure they were tight. "Let's do this, i know your companion went to get your leader. Is he a dire or something more?" The wolf snarled and then leapt at Wayland, snapping at thin air. This startled the wolf slightly, until he found himself being lifted into the air. The wolf was slammed into the wall of the farm house. Wayland stood in front of the wolf. He quickly dispatched the wolf with a stab with a boot dagger. Gileon wasn't here and he needed a back up. It would do for now. Suddenly the door was smashed open, to reveal several more large wolves. The first couple were taken out by Synclade's arrows. A few more were taken out by Pricusla's After a minute of these wolves pouring out, they stopped. The group suddenly opened up to reveal a large shadow slowly exiting the farm house. "Ah, the big boss arrives." Wayland commented. " A warg." Analysis Complete. Subject: Warg Level: 5 Class: Monster> "Guys, the big one is mine. Please mop up the excess." Wayland informed them, cracking his knuckles. *Ding* < Personal Quest Updated: Defeat the Alpha Warg. Reward: Advancement to Level 5, Rare class weapon. Do you accept?> "What about you mongrel? Do you accept my challenge?" Wayland asked the gigantic wolf. "Growl." the Alpha seemed to nod. The rest of the pack, or what was left of it cut off to fight the rest of the party. Leaving the two leaders to their battle. Wayland settled into a form. The Alpha crouched down, slinking slightly around to one side. The two circled for a few seconds, sizing each other up. Suddenly the Alpha sprung forward, launching himself at Wayland's legs. Wayland swiveled his feet, causing the Alpha to smash into the ground. Slamming his fist into the side of the giant wolf. Wayland smirked hearing the sound of ribs breaking, he then jumped back as the Alpha snapped back at him. Wayland watched him as the huge canine again circled him. Suddenly the Alpha charged at him again, this time catching him and slamming him into the side of the farm house. "Gah." Wayland grunted out as his back slammed against the mud brick wall. Damn, that mutt had "What was that?" Trusga asked, seeing Wayland fly into the wall. "That was the ability Wayland looked back at the Alpha as it slowly descended upon the hurt adventurer, he had to wait for the right moment. The Alpha started to glow a brownish hue for just a second before charging at the Necromancer again. 'Now!' Wayland thought as he dodged at the last second. Lady Luck was on his side today as the Alpha rushed past him and slammed into the already broken wall. With the farm house barely standing as is, when the Alpha hit the wall and busted through the house collapsed on itself. "That was fun." Wayland stated, smiling at his comrades. "No, that was damn lucky is what that was." Synclade telling the boy off. "Really, what would have happened if he ate you?" Pricusla asked in a angered tone. "He was a worthy foe." Trusga commented. As the party was doing a pre-congratultory event, the roof of the old house shuddered slightly then bust into a thousand pieces as the Alpha stood up. The Alpha had several timbers sticking out of his body and half of his face was skinned down to the muscle. Growling hard, he took step after step toward the budding Necromancer. "Huh, still not dead?" Wayland asked as he watched this pitiful display. He took a few steps forward toward the Alpha. "Rest now my great rival. For you have been defeated and will run with the almighty Hunt until the end of time." Wayland told the beast as he laid a hand on it's head. The Alpha looked one last time at the boy, with acceptance and collapsed into an endless slumber. *Ding* You have advanced to Level 5. Skills unlocked: Shadow Revive, Shadow Summon, Shadow Command. You have earned 9 Statistic points. You have earned the Title: Warg Slayer. [Warg Slayer: This title allows you to deal 30% more damage to beast type monsters. You also get a increase in Strength and Defence against beast type monsters.] Do you wish to distribute your points?> "Not right now." Wayland told the system. "Yes please." Wayland informed the system, suddenly he felt as if he could take on a hundred Wargs and still have energy left over. "Yes, i wish to revive him." Wayland the system. "What? A confirmation word. What does that mean?" Synclade asked, who had been reading over Wayland's shoulder. " It's a word or phrase that will allow him to revive any enemies that he fights." Pricusla told the Drow archer. " Oh, so what are you going to use Wayland?" Synclade asked, curious to see what word or phrase he would choose. "Rise forth." Wayland told the body of the Warg. *Ding* "My dear foe, i ask that you join me in the hunt of my enemies so that you may show the great Hunter your prowess before you ride with him. Now, Rise Forth Alpha Warg!!! Wayland commanded the soul. *Ding* Suddenly a cloud of black shadows shot out and formed a large wolf with red eyes in front of Wayland. Above it's head read [Shadow Warg Level 4]. "Welcome my friend." Wayland told the Shadow Warg, before turning to the rest of the wolf pack who had been slaughtered by his companions. "No body move. They may still not like you, because you know. Now Rise Forth Shadow Pack." Wayland commanded the dead wolves. Suddenly the clearing around the farm house was engulfed in black smoke before slowly forming several wolves. Their labels read [Shadow Pack Wolf Level 1-2]. There were around 20 of them in all. *Ding* "How many have i revived?" Wayland asked the system. "Release the Level 1s." Wayland commanded in a sad tone. <10 Level 1 Shadow Pack Wolves have been released. You now have 11/15 limit for Shadow Command.> "Alright, let's head back. Gileon come on." Wayland called out into the darkness, Gileon trotted up out of the shadows of the trees. "Oh wait. I almost forgot the weapon." Wayland said out loud smacking his head. "How could you forget a weapon." Trusga commented, sweatdropping a little. Wayland chuckled slightly after rubbing the back of his head. "Stats on [Fenrir's Tooth]." Wayland asked. Weapon Type: Dagger Damage: +10 (+20 when fighting beast types) Trait: Bleed (can cause the inflicted to bleed 1 hp per second) Trait: Cripple (can cause the inflicted to lose mobility to half depending on the area of attack.)> "Oh wow!! I thought that weapon was only a myth. It was said that Tyr had the tooth made into a dagger to remember his friend." Synclade exclaimed, eyeing the silver dagger with a howling wolf etched onto the handle. "Awesome, now i have a close range weapon if Gileon is knocked out. I doubt that'll happen though." Wayland commented to the volpus looking pup. "Huff." Gileon puffed, 'Wayland thinks i will get knocked out, bah." "Let's go rest tonight and head back in the morning and inform the Headmaster that the quest is complete." Wayland informed the group as they started to set up camp in the barn. *On the other side of the Great Forest of Drigun.* "My lord Envy, The scout pack on the other side of the forest was destroyed." a goblin told the shadow as it cowarded before it. "Hmm, it seems that some unforseen people have been meddling." the shadow spoke, a slight grimace on it's lips. "What shall we do my lord?" the goblin asked, a look of worry across his face. "We do nothing, it was just one pack. We have more. Now leave me, i must prepare to depart." the shadow informed the goblin. The goblin bowed and retreated out the tent flap. "Sigh, so someone is onto our little game. Is it you, Arulis?" the shadow asked to the darkness. *In the Headmaster's office* The Headmaster looked out his window as a chill went down his back. He then opened a telepathic link to the rest of the faculty. 'I need to see everyone in five minutes in the meeting room.' the Headmaster thought to them. 'Yes sir.' Came the reply from the faculty. *Wayland's party* "Gah, i'm stuffed. Synclade, how do you know how to cook?" Pricusla asked, setting her plate down. "One of my friends from home taught me." Synclade told them, a slightly smiling from the memory of those moments. "Well thank the Tree of Yggdrasil they did. It was delicious." Trusga commented, surprising his comrades. "Wow, you actually have a sense of taste." Pricusla teased the Lizardman. "Growl, we don't all eat just meat." Trusga defended against her joke. The group laughed heartedly, finishing their dinner and just relaxing around the fire. "Synclade. Will you answer my question now, after seeing us in battle. Why are you truly here at the Academy?" Wayland asked the young archer. "My family has no male heirs. As the oldest, i'm supposed to lead by example. My family wanted me to get married and strengthen the family name. I wanted to go exploring the great wide world. So we came to a compromise, i would go to the Academy for the duration of the set years. After which i would marry whomever my family chose. Now they are coming to visit, i'm just not hoping that they go back on their word." Synclade explained, pulling and play with the hay. "Well, they'll have to get through us first. Right guys?" Wayland asked his companions. "Heh, i'll blast them away before they could even touch her." Pricusla informed them, lighting a fireball in her hand. "I would protect you from their steel with my hide." Trusga commented also, nashing his reptilian teeth. "Finally they would have to get past my Shadow Pack." Wayland confirmed, smiling at the Drow. Synclade suddenly felt lighter, happier. As if all the dark moments in her childhood had disappeared. Suddenly a drop landed on her hand. Then another, and another. Soon she was bawling in happiness at what her friends said. Wayland started to reach over, but his memories were becoming blurred. The Synclade of the future wasn't really a touchy feely type. 'Ah what the hell.' Wayland thought as he pulled her into a hug. Synclade turned crying into his shirt, hiccuping a few times before calming down. "Aww, you two look so cute." Pricusla jabbed at them. Synclade jolted away from the hug when she said something. "Shut up Pricusla." Synclade told her, a lil mad at the Mage. "Hehe." Pricusla snickered. "Okay guys, time for rest and we'll head out tomorrow." Wayland informed them, rolling out his bed before he laid down. The Alpha Warg stood guard with a few of his pack mates. The night passed with no incedents. Yet Wayland tossed and turned in his bedroll. *Dreamscape* Synclade was kneeling chained in front of a group of Drow nobles. "If they come, it will be to late Synclade. Just give up and accept our offer." the large male told her in a convincing tone. "No Father, they'll come. You'll see how powerful my friends are." Synclade retorted, sneering at her father. "Disobedient child." Her father called her as he slapped her, blood coming from her split lip. "Pout, is that the best you can do." Synclade snarled at her father, spitting blood onto his boot. " I'll kill your friends slowly in front of you. One by one, leaving the one you care about the most for last." Her father informed her. "If you harm one hair on his, gah" Synclade started to threaten, only to be chocked by a collar around her throat. "Behave child, we are only trying to do what is best." a feminine voice came from a thin figure in the shadows. "Go to the deepest part of Hel, Lust." Synclade told the woman. Lust leaned forward, looking past Synclade. "Ahhh, the Seers are letting you peek forward. No cheating." Lust told Wayland, before grabbing his hand. The pain of intense burning was felt on his wrist. After a brief moment, Wayland yanked himself awake. "Gah! What the hell." Wayland looked down at his wrist. A black band was on his wrist. ' I'll have to look into this when we get back.' Wayland said looking at his wrist.