“Lad…Davros, wake up.”

  Davros blinked his eyes open and he looked around in amazement. Something was different. He glanced up at Igvild’s bloody face, which cracked into a tired looking smile.

  “We’re alive?” He asked. Igvild snorted.

  “Aye, the old bat saved our hides. That Slynt monstrosity is gone.” Davros sat up and took a deep breath. The mist was gone and the door to Booshka Krait’s hut stood open again. The old Beastkin stood framed in her doorway, hands on her hips and glaring at them both.

  “I heard that, Igvild Clanless! A bit more gratitude is in order, I believe. I had to waste a Potion of the Creepy Green Light on that Wrath filth and they require an entire fortnight to brew.”

  Davros climbed to his feet with Igvild’s help then bowed low to Booshka Krait.

  “Madame Krait, we are indebted to you. Can I ask what has become of the Wrathchief? Is it still a threat?”

  “You are and you can, but the answer may not be something your innocent young ears would enjoy hearing.” She grinned a wide grin that stretched her pale, wrinkled skin up to her eyes. It was a sinister sight and it made Davros glad the Alchemist was on their side. He hoped. “It is no longer a threat, be assured.”

  Davros let out a breath and nodded. “Then we should hunt down any more of the Slynt who may still be in the city. Help where we can.” Madame Krait shook her head.

  “Others have mustered and dealt with those who remain. You don’t honestly believe that your little group are the only defenders Bruhle has, do you? That Czak and the half-Sylvan are currently looking for you near your Inn. What you should be asking is how these Wrath-wrought scum knew how to break into a safe zone to begin with.”

  Igvild and Davros both glanced at each other.

  “How did the Slynt break into a safe zone, Madame Krait?” I asked. Her face immediately turned dour and she glared past them and down the alleyway, as if her green glowing eyes could summon the truth forth.

  “My theory is they took advantage of the Eye Turning. There is a moment, however brief, when one Eye closes that just before the other opens the old magical protections that surround all safe zones are very thin and possibly breakable.” I frowned, turning the information over in my head.

  “So the Slynt were able to break through this barrier when it was “thin”, then make their way through the sewers and into the city?”

  “As I said, it is only a theory, but yes.” She answered. “The bar is extremely low on what Slynt are capable of rationalizing out for themselves. I find it highly unlikely that they did not receive some sort of greater guidance on this. Certainly it is far too convenient that they were in just the right place outside the city’s barrier at just the right moment!”

  We all paused for a moment as we digested Madame Krait’s train of thought. I had a question to ask, but feared the answer. I asked it regardless.

  “So who helped them enter the city?”

  “A question the Burgomeister and his Council are no doubt going to want to have answered. You should take it up with him. In fact, I would highly advise you to do so.” Igvild raised an eyebrow and looked askance at the Eldritch Alchemist.

  “You don’t concern yourself with politics, Madame. Why ask us to involve ourselves with this sort of business? It isn’t really our concern neither.” Booshka Krait chuckled as she and Igvild stared each other down. It was the first time I discerned that there was no love lost between these two. I wondered at the history that clearly existed between them? I knew they had met each other years ago and it stirred my curiosity. I would ask Igvild about it later.

  “Bruhle is my city, dwarf. I was here when it was nothing more than a few huts ringed by a palisade. In all that time, we have been attacked by tribes of man, beast and creatures that you can thank the Eye above no longer exist. This is the first time an attack of this nature has occurred and I am personally offended by it.”

  I wanted to ask Madame Krait exactly how old she was, but thought better of it. Some questions are best left both unasked and unanswered. Madame Krait held out one her pale hands and passed me four red vials no thicker or longer than one of my fingers.

  “Here are some Healing potions. Think of them as my thanks for defending Bruhle. Off with you now. Oh, and check your Status when you have a chance, young man. I have a feeling you will be able to solo that Dungeon when you are ready so I shall be expecting my item very soon!”

  Madame Krait disappeared into her hut and the door shut behind her. Igvild made a face at the door then sighed before started back down the alleyway. I followed.

  “It was the only thing I could think of on such short notice, lad.” Davros shrugged. Running to Madame Krait for help seemed as good an idea as any and it had worked, after all. “She’s strong, despite how she looks. Her level is high, whatever it may be. I figured even a Slynt like that one would likely not trouble her overmuch.”

  “I think you did the right thing,” I said as I placed the Healing potions into my satchel. “She saved us both. My fire was barely scratching it.” Igvild rolled his eyes and turned to look Davros in the face.

  “You did a lot of damage to a creature far above us in power. That is nothing to dismiss. If fact, I think I know what Krait meant when said you should check your Status. The Eye doesn’t ignore contribution, regardless of how much or how little it may be.”

  If you spot this narrative on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

  I nodded and followed him out onto the street. It was eerily silent, the attack having driven most people indoors. There were occasional Bruhle City Watch marching up each street to check for Slynt stragglers, but they left two Awakened alone on account of neither being goat men abominations.

  When Davros and Igvild finally returned to the Inn they found Valka and Anya immediately. Both were standing outside the building looking exhausted, but on edge and ready to fight again if necessary. Valka was arguing loudly with a few of the Watch, while Anya paced.

  “As I said, they came out of the bloody sewer behind the Inn! I don’t know how many in total. Yes, there could still be more down there. No, I am not going down there to check until the rest of my party shows up!”

  “Valka, they’re here!” Anya shouted when she spotted Igvild and Davros walking towards them. She jogged over to ask about wounds while Valka scowled at them both. The Watchmen he had been yelling at looked exasperated, but wisely moving out of Valka’s way.

  “Oh, would you look at this? Are we out for a romantic stroll? Did the pack of Slynt ruin the ambiance of such a star filled night and force us to take the long way around so we could hold hands in privacy?” Valka cracked.

  “Human sarcasm never gets old, lad.” Igvild snorted.

  “Valka!” Anya turned to us and the relief on her face was apparent. I felt my face getting red and I was grateful I had pulled my scarf up. I was happy to see that both the Lieutenants were unharmed as well.

  “It was about forty Slynt in total, an entire pack led by that Wrathchief.” Anya said.

  “How many victims?” I asked. She frowned.

  “Close to a hundred, mostly confined to this general area.” she answered sadly.

  “Revelers, Merchants, but a number of City Watch as well.” Valka added. “They weren’t prepared for this.”

  “None of us were, Valka. This is supposed to be a safe zone.” Anya sighed.

  “The Slynt exploited some drop in the defenses caused by the Eye turning.” I offered.

  “How do you know that?” Valka demanded.

  “Booshka Krait told us,” Igvild rumbled. The dwarf was eyeing the alleyway where we had first seen the Wrathchief emerge.

  “She also said they must have come up through the sewers by being led through it by someone.” I added.

  “That’s…not good.” Valka said, sharing a look with Anya. “Did she…?”

  “She killed the Wrathchief with a strange potion, yes.”

  The Lieutenants chewed over that bit of information while I trudged into the Inn, my back bent and my shoulders hunched. Thanks to Anya, several of the wounded were going to make it and people were starting to show themselves on the street again, but this season’s revel was clearly over. This attack would hang over Bruhle for a long time to come, I felt.

  None of the others tried to stop me. I was exhausted, despite my Mana almost back to full. Even with a higher Focus granting me greater Mana regeneration, I still I needed sleep to fully recover. I also needed solitude to check on my notifications and Status. However when I entered my room, the first thing I did was remove the Soothe book from my satchel. I sat upon my bed and opened it to the first page.

  The letters on the page glowed and my mind absorbed a torrent of mana imbued knowledge. It was euphoric, if a bit difficult to sort with a tired mind, but I didn’t regret it. From now on, I would take whatever power I could get as soon as I laid hands on it. I had dithered on this spell and when a crisis occurred I was not fully prepared for it. Could I have done more had I read the book sooner? I would not hesitate on my path to power again. A series of notification appeared.

  Omniweave Detected! {Imbolc’s Plane of Fire}

  Current Astral Alignment: Imbolc

  Bonus Awarded for Astral Alignment Synergy!

  Searching for compatible Mana…

  Born of Fire detected!

  New Spell Auto Selected!

  You have learned the Cauterize Soul spell!

  Cauterize Soul

  Casting this spell sears away up to Tier 2 Corruption with a cleansing flame. Reduces Corruption by up to [2] levels and heals the target for 10% of their maximum health over 5 seconds. This spell can be upgraded.

  Bonus Awarded!

  Cauterize Soul gains a Secondary Effect where if cast upon a Wrath Soul it places a negating effect upon all Wrath Mana attacks cast for up to 5 seconds.

  This effect cannot be upgraded.

  Achievements Unlocked!

  Soul on Fire I- Combine Soothe and Fire Magic into an ability that removes Corruption.

  Reward: XP

  Season of Imbolc I- Learn an ability during Imbolc’s Phase that triggers a secondary effect.

  Reward: XP

  Season of Imbolc V- Learn a Soothe ability during Imbolc’s Phase that triggers a secondary effect against Wrath imbued targets.

  Reward: XP

  I couldn’t keep the smile off my face. I had just learned my most impressive magic yet. I now had a way to balance corruption with a soothe ability. And it could be further upgraded! On top of that, I had unlocked new achievements. Now it was time to see what I received for aiding against the Slynt and their Wrathchief.

  A Slynt Wrathchief has died!

  Calculating rewards…

  You are awarded XP!

  You are awarded 5 Gold, 52 Silver coins!

  You are awarded [1] Upgrade Gem!

  You are awarded [1] Three-Pack Ring!

  You have acquired the Passive Skill: Mask Scent

  Mask Scent

  Description: Permanently mask your smell from enemies and tracking spells that follow scent.

  With all this extra unexpected experience, I received a few final notifications.

  Congratulations! You have reached Level 8!

  Congratulations! You have reached Level 9!

  Two levels and his first Passive skill! He may not have killed the Wrathchief, but the damage Davros had done was still calculated into the final tally when Madame Krait killed it. It was a significant reward. Then, the bonus points from creating a spell and the achievement had been enough to boost him up to Level 9 and he had a feeling Level 10 may not have been too far off as well.

  His health and mana increased as expected, but he was surprisingly rewarded with a drop as well.

  You have received [1] Three-Pack Ring.

  This ring opens up a mid-sized 15ft by 25ft space that can be used as storage for any mundane and/or enchanted goods up to Artifact Level.

  “A spatial sack…er…ring!” I gasped, not able to contain my excitement.

  I put the ring on my finger and instantly I was able to sense the space. It was as if I was carrying around a small, weightless room divided into square shaped sections. On my finger! I dumped the contents of my satchel onto my bed. I picked up a fistful of silver coins and wondered how to put them into the space. I could see the space in my mind’s eye. If only I could just pour the coins from my hand directly into the…it worked!

  I placed every coin I had into my space and it took less than a single square section to do it. The space even tallied the amount for me. I had 5 Gold, 62 Silvers and 4 Coppers. I felt rich. Next I placed the Gloves of Elemental Molding inside a square, though I was still tempted to equip them. Yet, I knew it would be better to wait to see how much coin I could sell them for first. I remembered Valka and Anya talking about enchanted items in terms of Golds rather than Silvers. I also had 2 Upgrade Gems as well, but something incredible happened when I added them to the space. They combined into one space together! The number ‘2’ appeared above them as it was with my coin tally.

  Level 9, a Skill and a windfall of coin. An Upgrade Gem from the Wrathchief, no doubt. Strange, I thought they only dropped from Bosses in Dungeons? Another mystery. Now I know what Madame Krait meant when she said I was ready to tackle the solo dungeon.

  I willed away my Ring’s Cube window and tossed my empty satchel into the corner of the room then laid down in my bed. It had been a whirlwind of a day and a part of me almost dreaded what tomorrow might bring. Then I turned my mind to the Forsaken Garden dungeon and dread turned into anticipation. I didn’t know if I would attempt it tomorrow, but I certainly would do something about preparing myself for it.

  Spells. I can’t help but feel I need more attack magic. Combustion bolt has its uses, but what good is it against tough mobs like the Wrathchief? I haven’t even used Blood Boil yet. I didn’t even think to use it against the Slynt. I wonder how effective it will be?

  I wondered if I would again be transported to the Fire Runed Obelisk again when I reached Level 10 and that was only a level away. It wasn’t lost on me that the higher I climbed the more difficult the leveling would be. Yet, the runes on the Obelisk rose higher as well and the power they would bring him would be worth it, surely.

  Davros hoped that he wouldn’t have to face off against another high level enemy regardless of how it sped up the leveling process. The risk was too great if the road led to death or worse, turned him into a Wrath Mage.

  Tomorrow he would talk to Anya about going shopping. If the closest Pyromancer Trainers were located far away in Kravlov and the Scarred Wastes then the next best thing would be to find a merchant who could sell him what he needed. In a city like Bruhle, how hard could that really be?