The sounds of loud squawking, chirping, and wrestling roused me from my previously peaceful slumber. “Fuck!” I cried out from a sudden shock of pain shooting through my head. The constant pounding in my head kept my eyes and teeth clenched in pain. Unfortunately, the loud noises not far from where I was currently wincing in pain only seemed to intensify, which made me irritable. “Would you kindly shut the hell up!” I roared at the offending creatures that, by the sound of them, weren’t very far away. In an instant, the sounds of struggling and screeching had ceased entirely. With a breath of relief, I rubbed my temples in an attempt to calm my quaking mind, only to feel a thin piece of cloth wrapped securely around my head.

“Right…I was bleeding before…” I winced as I attempted to remember what had happened to me. Something about a Frost Rune…a ton of Kobolds…and a cave in that I was almost caught in. I sighed as my head ached from attempting to think further. With a curious eye, I looked over my body, finding many healed cuts and faded bruises all over my torso. As for my legs, my pants were quite ripped and torn and stained with dried blood from healed minor cuts in various areas.

Slowly, I took in my surroundings, which were far different than I remember first passing out in. Twigs, sticks, and other assorted wooden bits had been constructed into a massive, and rather sturdy-looking nest in which I currently sat. Piles and piles of bedding made from hay, leaves, and a large assortment of grass formed the bed upon which I had previously lain. Clear blue skies stretched far into the horizon and rocky mountaintops stretched higher into the sky. Though still well below cloud level. Other nests like the one I was currently in dotted the mountains as naked women with wings for arms and talons for feet flew between the nests. Some were carrying people in their talons that they set down into the nests.

“Harpies…” I mumbled. As I turned around, a curious sight greeted me.

Two nearby Harpies were currently frozen in the act of strangling one another with said talons as they stared at me. Both had lightly tanned skin and athletic bodies. The one currently being strangled had black feathers that ran from her forehead down her backside and ending in a short tail. The other, who looked to be winning the now-frozen struggle, had reddish feathers. Their bird-like eyes stared at me unblinking, their jaws hung open, though the one on the bottom had begun to turn purple from the talons wrapped around her neck. Their levels were twenty and twenty-one respectively.

“Think she needs to breath there.” I pointed towards the black-feathered level twenty girl who’s white eyes started to roll up into her head as her struggles began to weaken. The offending Harpy regarded her companion with surprised green eyes and quickly retracted her talons from her fellow’s throat. In a flutter of her wings, she glided over towards me.

“Apology! Koo’irli is brain-dumb!” The bird woman spoke apologetically with a high-pitched voice in poor Orcish that did horrible things to my splitting skull. She gestured to her gasping companion, ignoring the discomfort that I knew was clear upon my face. “Koo’irli steal young Green-skinned! Not Vay’ar fault!”

“Right. And you are Vay’ar?” I gritted my teeth and rubbed my head as she thumped her flat chest with her red-feathered wing and nodded. The moment Vay’ar had nodded, the blue box over her head modified itself and displayed her name properly. “Interesting…” I mumbled to which she cocked her head in confusion. Guess Harpies had sharp hearing, good to know. “So…where am I?”

“The Roost!” She chirped in response.

“Ah. Right. Of course.” I rolled my eyes. “And…where is the ‘Roost’ located?”

“High in the mountains!” She beamed and gestured towards the peaks in the distance.

Oh boy. I was getting places with this girl. How did the saying go? Lights are on but nobodies home? Yeah, that described my situation perfectly. Of course, the fact that she was speaking some bit of Orcish showed that she had some bit of intellect. Maybe I should give her the benefit of the doubt. Who knows? Maybe in her regular squawking and chirping she’s quite eloquent.

“And…how did I get here?” I asked slowly.

“Koo’irli take young Green-skinned!” She answered while gesturing her head towards the black-feathered harpy who had regained her breath but stayed away from the two of us. “Steal Green-skinned for mating, but not know Green-skinned too young for mate!” At this, the other Harpy, Koo’irli huffed indignantly.

“Koo’irli raise young Green-skinned to be good mate!” she answered back in broken Orcish as well.

“That be many years!” Vay’ar replied sharply. “Now Roost must feed and shelter young Green-skinned and get no mating for many years! Not good!”

“Mating?” I mumbled to myself.

“You make babies with us!” Koo’irli chirped in response. Apparently these Harpies had sharp hearing.

“Oh!” I slapped my head, “Ow.” Right, head injury. I’m a dumbass. “Sorry ladies, but I’m nobody’s baby-maker.” The two of them smiled at me with the same crazed look in their eyes that sent chills down my spine.

“All men say no at first.” Vay’ar spoke in a foreboding tone.

“But they all happy in the end!” Koo’irli flapped her wings and began to slowly fly towards me. “You make good strong magic babies when older!”

Great, I was stuck in a nest with a pair of rapists.

“Must wait long time for that though.” Vay’ar cooed sadly. “Vay’ar hate waiting.”

“Sorry for being too young for you.” I sarcastically stated.

“Is not your fault!” Vay’ar shook her head, “Is way of life!” Koo’irli nodded along with her.

“Right.” I rolled my eyes at the two smiling at me. “And how are you two related?”

“We nest-mates!” Koo’irli chirped happily.

“Nest-mates?”

“Yes! Every nest is group of us.” Vay’ar nodded.

‘So they’re like roomies. Got it.’ I rubbed my chin as I regarded the large nest. “Seems a little big for just you two.”

“Is three other nest-mates!” Koo’irli chirped.

“What.”

“Yes! Is five nest-mates together.” Vay’ar spoke enthusiastically. “You meet them soon!”

“Look, look!” Koo’irli fluttered about enthusiastically, emphasizing the sky to the west. “Rah’liol come back with fixxer!”

Sure enough, a new harpy was flying directly towards our nest, carrying a very unenthusiastic human in her talons like some sort of toy. Unlike the other two, her skin was pale and as she closed the distance I could make out the grey of her feathers. The moment she hovered over the nest, she released the human from her clutches. Judging by the appearance of his clothes, he was probably a commoner that had been abducted against his will by these creatures. His expression spoke volumes, this wasn’t the first time he had been carried around like a puppet. Whoever this man was, he had been in the Roost for a long time.

“Nai waya lok tomon.” The light-skinned man bowed his head to the new harpy who was staring at me with appraising blue eyes.

“Bolko’m.” She responded simply which seemed to please the man as he looked over towards me.

“Hah. Wyl oh’an mutu tark.” The man laughed as he approached me.

“He say you strong for being up already.” Vay’ar translated for me.

“Joho nok lahel ton tabu?” He asked Vay’ar.

“He asks for ability to check you.” She translated once more. I nodded.

The man then began to gently place his hands upon my head where the bandages were. I winced as he applied pressure to several parts of my head. The man mumbled something in his language as he finished his inspection. I’m no doctor, but I’m pretty sure you’re not supposed to poke and prod a head injury. Regardless, the man began to unwrap my bandaged head and began his inspection once more. Once he was finished, the man clasped me upon the shoulder with a smile.

“Wak-tn oh’an kanro to.”

“He says don’t hit your head anymore.” The grey feathered Harpy spoke passively.

“I’ll try not to.” I rolled my eyes which made the man laugh.

“Yatan ko Rah’liol.” He spoke to the Harpy who nodded, flew up, and latched onto his arms before carrying him off to nests unknown.

“Who was that?” I asked as I watched the man be carried off.

“She is Rah’liol! She is nice…most times.” Koo’irli chirped.

“Not her. The man.”

“He is Hogen. He knows a little of healing. We call him fixxer.” Vay’ar spoke informatively.

“He not very good.” Koo’irli mumbled.

“He best we got!” Vay’ar chastised.

I couldn’t stop the smirk from forcing its way onto my face. I’d have to side with Koo’irli on this one, he didn’t exactly strike me as a medical man. But my opinions were skewed due to my past life. At least he didn’t beat me with a crow attached to a stick like the plague-doctors of olde. Or drain my blood with leeches…though that was making a comeback, so maybe they did something right in the old times.

“So where are the other two of you then?” I asked as Rah’liol and Hogen disappeared behind a nearby mountain.

“Mmmm. Fik’ik is meeting with Matron. Hoo’ra is hunting.” Vay’ar spoke as she shuffled about and sat in the nest.

“Matron? Is she your leader?”

“No! Is mother to all Harpy!” Koo’irli jumped about emphatically.

“Is leader too.” Vay’ar shot Koo’irli a sharp look.

“She not order like leader.” Koo’irli shot back which made Vay’ar sigh,

“Fik’ik is meeting Matron to talk about you.”

“Really? Why me?”

“Too young for mating!” Koo’irli cried out, “But Koo’irli want to keep you!”

“If you too young for mating, we bring you back to Green-skinned.”

A dark chill stabbed down my back.

“I’d…rather avoid that.” I spoke hesitantly.

“You want stay?” The both of them spoke in unison. Vay’ar with a confused look upon her face and Koo’irli with unabated joy.

“I’d rather keep going east.”

“No. Is too dangerous.” Vay’ar shook her head firmly.

“But boy did kill nest of lizard things.” Koo’irli spoke with a tone of awe.

“And he almost die! It been days since brought here!”

“Wait what?” Koo’irli shifted her eyes uncomfortably.

“You sleep for three days. It no bad! You fine now! Fixxer say so! Hoo’ra hunting for meat to feed! Soon you eat lots and grow fast!” Koo’irli stated happily before shifting her attention away. “Grow fast so mate soon.”

“If Matron let us keep.” Vay’ar grumbled.

“Don’t I get a say on if I stay or go?”

“No!” the two responded in tandem.

“Didn’t think so.” I sighed.

A comfortable silence fell upon us as I sat back down upon the bedding in the nest. From the scouting I could do from our position, it didn’t look like I’d be able to climb down the mountain without some form of grappling equipment. Which I most definitely lacked. Even if I wanted to leave, I couldn’t. With no more pressing matters, I called up my status screen.

Name: Kotek Jir’iroc Race: Orc Class: Villager Title: N/A Level: 10 Experience: MAX Health: 82/96 Mana: 88/88 Stamina: 88/88 Unspent Points: 10 Strength: 8 Vitality: 8 Dexterity: 8 Agility: 8 Intelligence: 11 Wisdom: 7 Perception: 7 Luck: 3

‘Last I remember, I was level four. Every level used up two of the three stat points I gained, so why do I have ten free ones right now?’ My stat points had all raised by one if I distributed them the same way they automatically did from levels one through four, but they didn’t rise any more past level eight. ‘Did I receive all three stat points for levels nine and ten? The math checks out in that instance…’ My head began to ache from running through numbers over and over. ‘Bah, whatever. I’ve got ten points to spend. Now lets see…’

‘If I want to min-max, it’d be best to put all the points I have into Intelligence and Wisdom. More Mana and Mana regeneration is key for a caster like me. But more health would be good so what happened to me doesn’t happen again…’ With that in mind, I put four points into Intelligence, four into Wisdom, and the remaining two into Vitality. ‘More health means more Overload as well, so thats a bonus.’ I grinned but quickly wiped it from my face as Koo’irli and Vay’ar started shooting strange looks my way.

Status Points assigned, you may now select a Class:

Fighter

Rogue

Ranger

Mage

Without a second thought, I picked Mage. As soon as I did, I could feel power coursing through my veins. My previously aching head had disappeared completely. From my head to my toes, my body tingled as if it were gathering Mana to use for a spell. Just as quickly as the feeling surged through me, it disappeared and a blue box appeared in front of me.

Mage Class Received!

Gained 10 Health!

Gained 30 Mana!

Gained 2 Mana Regeneration per minute!

Gained Ability: Mana Sight!

Gained Title: Prodigy!

‘Prodigy? Mana Sight? What the hell?’ With a mental flick, I called up their information.

Mana Sight

Passive

Grants Magi the ability to see Mana as it is used. Not all Magi who ascend to Mage-hood are granted the ability to see Mana itself. Our records show that out of every hundred Magi, only three will be given this ability. At first such claims were not given much credit within the Circle. However, in more recent years, many respectable Magi have come forward with claims of having this ability. After many tests, we have come to the conclusion that these Magi speak true and are not, in fact, crazy. A Magi that can see Mana can tell what type of spells are being used by those around them. A useful skill to have in combat, as it allows the Magi to counter said spells with their own very handily.

Prodigy

For having learned more than five spells before ascending to Mage status, the owner gains an additional 10% damage when casting their spells.

“Hmmm.” I mumbled aloud as I read the prompts.

“Yes?” Vay’ar asked as she gazed towards me.

“Nothing. Just thinking.” I responded.

“Right!”

Once more, I called up my status page and smiled at the changes that had taken place.

Name: Kotek Jir’iroc Race: Orc Class: Mage Title: Prodigy Level: 1 Experience: 0/500 Health: 99/130 Mana: 102/150 Stamina: 100/100 Unspent Points: 0 Strength: 8 Vitality: 10 Dexterity: 8 Agility: 8 Intelligence: 15 Wisdom: 11 Perception: 7 Luck: 3

‘I need a lot more experience to level up now…’ I sighed, but that was how these things went. Far more power had been granted to me and I still felt I would need a lot more before being able to face my mother’s killer. ‘Just you wait Hokrag. I will avenge her.’

Loud chirping and cawing shot out towards our nest as a new Harpy began to fly directly at us. Brown wings flapped furiously as the pale girl landed in the center of the nest, kicking up bedding and snapping twigs and branches. She began to chirp and squawk at the other two whose mouths hung open at her words. She would also randomly gesture towards me and stamp her feet in the nest. Worry was written clearly upon her face as she looked towards me with big brown eyes.

“Whats going on?” I asked Vay’ar who recovered quickest.

“Matron wants to meet you.” She spoke nervously. “As soon as awake.”

“Is this bad?” I really didn’t like the looks on their faces as they stared at me.

“Maybe.”

“Well then, lets go.” I grunted as I stood and wiped the bedding off of my pants. “No point in wasting time.” Before I could react, Koo’irli slammed into me in a storm of feathers.

“No! You no go! You become mate!” she cried. “Koo’irli work hard to bring you here!”

“We not know if he go or not.” Vay’ar spoke as she grasped Koo’irli with her talons and pulled her away with the heavy beating of her wings. “Fik’ik, carry…” A sligth look of embarrassment crossed her face. “What you name?”

“Oh! Right. I never introduced myself. I’m Kotek.”

“Kotek.” The three spoke in unison as they tried out my name.

“Fik’ik, carry Kotek. We follow.” In response, Fik’ik chirped happily before flying over me and grasping my arms just below my armpits in her talons. With the heavy beating of her wings, I began to fly.

Strangely, as the girl beat her wings, I could see a sort of green wind flowing around her. ‘Is this Mana Sight?’ I wondered as I looked to the others. Sure enough, the same green swirling wind was around them as well as they flew. ‘Are they using Mana without realizing it?’ A part of me wanted to burst out laughing. They wanted me so their children could use magic, yet they were using it themselves without knowing! With a great amount of will, I held in my laughter while enjoying the feeling of the wind upon my body as I was carried through the sky.

Together, the four of us flew through the skies towards a large cavern near the peak of a mountain not very far from the nest. Upon landing inside, Fik’ik dropped me onto the stone floor, which I was not ready for. With the grace of a paraplegic ballerina, I fell upon the floor with grace and beauty. And more than a few choice words for my flight-assistant.

“Sorry!” She chirped apologetically as she attempted to help me up to my feet.

“Just give me some warning before you drop me next time.”

“Yes!” she nodded seriously. “Will give warning!”

“Thanks.” I brushed myself off from my unintended fall. Curious, I looked around the entrance to the cave in which we stood. Massive stalactites hung from the ceiling like teeth of stone. Rows upon rows of large eggs lined the walls leading further into the dark, damp cave. “Could make a hell of a breakfast with one those babies.” I mumbled to myself as I stared at the eggs.

“My children are not for eating, little Orc.” A powerful voice reverberated through the cave, shaking both the eggs and the stalactites. In an instant, the three Harpies with me threw themselves to the ground in respect. The thumping steps of a massive beast came from just beyond the darkness. Within the span of a few heartbeats, the head of a large lizard with fierce orange eyes and red scales emerged. Massive wings folded upon it’s back as the rest of the impossibly large body emerged. Muscular legs bared the weight of the monster before me, which didn’t seem physically possible. As a man of modern science, I knew that those legs would never be able to support the weight they carried. If this was my old world, they’d have snapped off long ago.

But I shrugged at the thought. With a world full of magic, anything is possible. Even dragons that should collapse under their own weight. Besides, the dragon was level one hundred and fifty five. At that level anything is possible.

“You three may leave.” The dragon commanded of the Harpies prostrating themselves.

“But!” Koo’irli began, but was cut off by a fierce glare. Reluctantly, the three of them looked towards me before taking off. Not wanting to be impolite, I waved them goodbye. Only Koo’irli returned the wave with her wing. Just as quickly as they had arrived, they were gone. Now it was just me and a big red dragon.

“Kotek Jir’iroc.” The dragon’s voice rumbled, “I assume you know who I am.”

“Kirkotek, Mistress of the Skies.” I responded. She nodded,

“Indeed. That is what your people call me.”

“And what does a deity want with me?” A small pair of flames shot out from her nose as she snorted.

“I am no deity. That title belongs to another.” Slowly, she closed her eyes as if in thought. “You are the first Orc Magi in all of history that I can recall.”

“If Chief Hokrag had his way, I wouldn’t be alive right now.” I mumbled as I imagined roasting that bastard alive.

“Such as it is throughout the land.” The dragon sighed, “Nearly all who are found to practice magic are put to the sword.”

“Why? I can understand Orcs being taboo about magic. They’re a bunch of big dumb brutes.” The dragon snorted,

“And you do not consider yourself one of your people?” I kept my mouth shut as I wordlessly cursed myself for that slip of the tongue. “Interesting. Regardless, improper use of magic once tore these lands asunder. Such devastation often leaves scars that run deep within the minds of all living beings.”

“You don’t have to worry about improper use of magic with me.” I gave the dragon my best smile. “I’m a very responsible person.”

“Yes, as you responsibly brought down the Kobold Den on top of you.” The Dragon snorted in bemused fashion. “Magic is dangerous, Kotek Jir’iroc. And you are already among the most dangerous of it’s practitioners.”

“You flatter me. I’m just a beginner.”

“No beginner could bring down a Den as you did.” She spoke sharply.

“Maybe I got lucky.” I responded with a raised brow.

“Do you desire revenge Kotek?” Kirkotek asked which took me by surprise.

“I…yes.” She nodded,

“What if I were to tell you that your vengeance will never be yours to obtain?”

“…” Silently, I considered my next words. “I would still do everything I could to make him pay.”

Once more, Kirkotek closed her eyes in thought. Respectfully, I waited in silence.

“I will give you two choices Kotek.” She spoke after a few minutes of consideration.

“And my choices are?”

“You stay here in the Roost where I can keep a close eye over you.” Yeah, I didn’t like that option much.

“Or?”

“Or I can take you far to the west to the land of Isamal, the home of the Watchers. You will undergo their training and become one of their members.”

“Watchers? Who are they?” I hadn’t heard of that name before.

“They are a group dedicated to stopping the resurrection of Falarond, the Dark God.”

“And if I choose neither?”

“Then I shall end your life here and now.” She spoke without a single breath of hesitation.

Shivers erupted all over my body at her words. She had meant every one. Either I stay here and eventually become a Harpy fucktoy, or I join some group I’ve never heard of. Or I could die. As if it were much of a decision.

“I’m not allowed any other options at all?”

“None.” I sighed,

“Then I’ll go join those Washers or whatever their name is.”

“As I knew you would.” Kirkotek grunted. “Though you may be reluctant, know that this is the best path you could take.”

“Yeah, yeah.” I sighed. I was still going to kill Hokrag, but it was looking like it would take some time before I could do so. “So when do we leave?”

Like an arrow shot from a bow, the dragon sprung forth and grasped me within her claws. Wings unfurled in an explosion of sound was we soared into the sky beyond the cavern. I’m sure the view from up here was great, but all I could see were the light yellow scales of Kirkotek’s underbelly.

“I can see this is going to be a great trip.” I sighed as she ignored me and kept beating her wings as we flew westward.