Ril made his way back to Dom’s smithy, two vials of blood lighter, but with information about the tunnel. The sound of hammering had ceased.

Ril pushed his way into the store. His arrival marked by the tinkling of the small bell attached to the door. Dom was back in his customary spot, looking grumpy as he continued reading his book. Off to the side, Eren looked through a heavy looking bag, as two other sacks sat around her feet.

“Hullo!” Ril crowed, “Did Bel leave?”

Just as he said this, a crashing sound resounded from the backroom. The massive smith looked up from his book, his face expressionless as always.

“No,” Dom rumbled, “break.”

“Ah,” Ril said, and moved over to sit by Eren. “What’s up.”

“Good, I got Hauke. He is playing with Bel in the backroom. Did you know they are exactly the same age? Pretty weird.” Eren said, as she tucked a cloth covered wrap deep into the rucksack.

“Huh. Well, I got the location of the tunnel.”

“Really,” Eren said, surprise evident on her face. “Nice job. Are you going to check it out now?”

“Yeah, but before that. I was wondering if maybe you should be the one who goes and tells the guard captain about this, you are a guard so he should trust you.”

“Technically, I am no longer a guard. Left this morning.” Eren said, “But you are right. I could go to the guard and tell them about the tunnel, and the plot.”

Another crash resounded from the back room. Ril looked up, but neither Eren nor Dom reacted much to the noise.

“Then, should we do that, instead of what I planned?”

“I don’t think so. They are going to ask how I know what I know. And while it is true that they will probably take me seriously, they will ask me to essentially rat you out.”

“That’s ok, right? I can be out of the city while you do that?”

“Yeah, but it doesn’t look good for me to leave the guard, and the day after that I come to give information that only a criminal would know to the guard. They might detain me, at least for a little while. Your method would also probably work, and with your clone it is pretty safe.”

“Eren!” Hauke came flying into the main room, bouncing off of Dom’s broad back before he ricocheted around the big man to stand in front of Eren. He was lifting up a twisted bit of metal that was still smoking slightly in a pair of tongs. A distinct smell of burning hair followed the young kid around. “Look what I made!”

“Very nice, what is it?”

“Dunno, but it's cool. Oh, hi Ril. How are you?”

“I’m doing great,” Ril chuckled, looking at Haukes creation. It looked vaguely like a small knife, but instead of being smooth, it had waves and dents in it. The edge looked sharp at least.

“Bel is teaching me how to make swords!” Hauke said, brandishing his creation around, causing Ril to flinch back. “He convinced Dom to let him rest, so he is sitting on the side, while he tells me what to do. The forge gets soo hot. Like look!” Hauke moved his face close to Ril’s “My eyebrows are gone!”

He seemed very proud of that fact, even if it made him look slightly surprised all the time.

“Nice knife,” Ril said, “Try to straighten it out. The smoother it is the deadlier it can become.”

Haukes eyes opened wide. With his missing eyebrows he looked utterly flabbergasted. “Got it,” He rushed to the back room, and the sound of bellows restarted a moment later. Eren chuckled, then leaned back, relaxing against the wall.

“You alright with going to Sela?” She said, “I kinda picked the place without asking you.”

“Never been there, but it’s in the east.” Ril shrugged. “As good a place as any.”

Eren grinned, “Oh, you are in for a surprise. I think you’ll like it.”

“What, why?”

“You’ll see, I won’t spoil the surprise.”

“Fair enough,” They sat there for a moment, before Ril slapped his forehead. “Damn, I forgot to ask where the tunnel lets out of.”

“Does it matter? Considering you aren’t planning on leaving through the tunnel.” Eren asked.

“No, I know. But it would be cool to have another way into the city.”

“Ril...” Eren crossed her arms, frowning over at him.

Ril got up from his chair. “Alright, but admit it, it would be pretty cool.”

“Also illegal. And you are going to tell the guard about it so it won’t be around for long anyway. Are you planning on going to check it out now?”

“Yeah, where should I meet you?”

“The caravan that we will be joining leaves in an hour, so if you are not back by then catch up with us. It’s going to follow the main road. You can’t miss it.”

They said their goodbyes, and Ril set off back into the city. His pace was slowed by having to wait for his clone periodically as the path behind him was blocked by passersby. Periodically he dismissed and resummoned the invisible clone to bring the clone closer to himself. The mana drain of dismissing and resumming the clone wasn’t steep.

Eventually, he made his way over to the Academy grounds. It did seem that Evelyn had listened to him at least partially. Several additional guard’s were patrolling the grounds, and attentively keeping an eye on anything that moved. Far on the other side of the clearing, the storage houses were visible peaking over one of the training halls.

If they can detect invisible people, then that would be bad.

Ril dismissed his clone, immediately feeling the tightness in his chest as his mana began to drain. Then he calmly walked across the grounds. After all, just his morning he had been here.

He managed to make it to the other side of the clearing without incident. The guards ignored him, treating him like any other student of the Academy.

Once on the other side of the grounds, he ducked into an alleyway between the training hall and resummoned his clone with a sigh.

Vanish doesn’t cost nearly as much, Ril thought to himself as he contemplatively rubbed his chest.

On the other side of the alley, there was another courtyard. Much smaller and with a cheerful fountain in its center. Wincing, Ril dismissed his clone, and covered the distance, until he was hidden once more in the shadows of a building. The clone popped out once more. A dull aching was felt in his chest.

This is annoying. I wonder if the guards are even able to detect invisible people. They should, or else they are pretty terrible guards. Although, I don’t know how common invisibility detecting abilities are, so maybe only some of the guards have it. Either way, can’t risk it.

Ril had his back to a wall that separated the student area of the Academy from the faculty and storage area of the Academy. Beyond this wall, he was definitely not allowed to be. Ril Vanished, and after checking that no guards would potentially see him, he climbed the wall.

He dropped silently to otherside. A moment later, his clone joined him. In front of him, various warehouses stood that stored all of the food and supplies that the Academy consumed during their day to day activities.

Now to find the right building. Luckily, there are two of me.

Ril proceeded to the nearest building, while his clone went to the next. The door was locked, so with a sigh, Ril peaked through the lock, and resummoned his clone inside of the building. Inside, there were crates upon crates filled with various things. There wasn't anyone inside the locked building. Ril moved over to one of the crates, and cracked it open.

Shirts.

Fascinating.

Just to make sure, Ril closed the crate and moved over to a different random crate.

Pants.

By now, the clone had made his way to the front of another building. Ril gave the warehouse one more cursory glance before disappearing and resummoning himself in the second warehouse.

This continued for some time. Ril found an absolutely staggering amount of supplies in the buildings. Most of it was preserved food of sorts, but there was also various weapons, armor of all types, arrows, and even an entire warehouse dedicated to plates and silverware.

At one point he found a particularly heavily guarded warehouse. There were several locks on the front door, all the windows were barred, and there was even a sour looking guard standing at the entranceway. Once Ril had managed to find a location where he could peak inside and summon a clone to check the area, he found that there were thousands of barrels inside. Popping one open, he found it full of beer.

Figures, he thought with a smile, and disappeared, continuing his search.

Eventually he found it. A warehouse full of crates of barley. Once inside, he brought his clone to help with the search, it was not long before he found a well concealed trap door that camouflaged in with the dirt on the floor.

He lay down, and placed his ear on the grimy wood.

Nothing

Carefully, he felt around the edges of the wood, until he found a slight lip. He jammed his fingers into the crack and carefully lifted the trapdoor away from himself.

Nothing jumped out at him. No alarms were triggered or hidden crossbow bolts fired at him. Releasing a pent up breath, pulled the trapdoor fully open and observed the tunnel.

It was round, and had a new looking ladder that led down about five meters before the tunnel straightened out and disappeared around the bend. Holding the trapdoor open with his clone, Ril descended. Dirt was soon replaced by rock, until Ril found himself crouching at the bottom of the ladder looking into a dark abyss of carved rock. Not a soul in sight.

The clone closed the trapdoor, and double checked that it was hidden before reappearing at Ril’s side. Slowly, Ril waited for his eyes to adjust. Ten minutes later, the pitch black was still impenetrable.

I guess darkvision only works if there is at least some light for me to see.

Ril lifted his palm and summoned a tiny flame. After so long in the dark, the tiny fire was near blinding. Carefully, he manipulated the flame to be smaller, only casting the bare minimum amount of light necessary for him to be able to see where to place his feet.

He began to walk down the tunnel, his clone remaining at the ladder. After twenty meters of featureless stone he paused, instinctively knowing that he couldn’t maintain his clone if took another step. After a brief moment of consideration, both he and the clone began stalking through the tunnel, separated by twenty meters of emptiness.

He walked for what felt like hours, until in the distance a faint light could be seen. Immediately Ril dismissed his flame, relying on the point of light in the distance to guide him. He walked closer, stepping carefully over the rocky floor. The tunnel suddenly opened up revealing a large uneven cavern. Faintly glowing orange veins covered the rough floor. On the other side a set of crude steps led up to a closed trapdoor.

He heard a shuffle, then a sigh, as the sound of pages turning echoed across the tunnel. At the corner of the cavern, there was a chubby silhouette sitting on a chair, with a tiny magnetite lamp held in his hands. It shown it’s light on a paperback that was held loosely in one hand.

Suddenly a black shape rose from the uneven floor, and released a low growl towards Ril’s invisible form. The man dropped his book, and pointed his lamp at the lump on the floor. As the light fell on the dark shape, it’s features came into focus.

A large black panther lay comfortably on the floor of the cavern. It was looking directly at Ril, with it’s maw drawn back to reveal rows of sharp teeth.

A pang went through Ril as he recognized the creature. However upon closer inspection it was revealed that the panther was different. It was large for a cat, but nowhere near as large as the powder beast that Ril had found in the Dread Thicket. It’s skin was black, with orange veins liberally covering its face, however the veins were faint, and the skin more glossy than what a true powder beast displayed. To top it all off the panther didn’t have appendages growing from its back.

Despite all this, the sight of the familiar creature froze Ril in place.

The moment passed and the spotlight moved over to Ril. it passed harmlessly over Ril’s invisible form, then continued to move back and forth across the entranceway.

“Show yourself, little weasel. I know you’re there. Mah beastie smells you.” The man sneered, getting up from his chair.

Ril frantically looked at the cavern floor. What he had assumed was a poorly carved cavern was actually the bodies of a dozen powder beasts, obediently resting on the ground. His clone was still twenty meters back and yet undetected by the man and the powder beasts.

“Better come out now. Or I set mah besties on you.” The man sneered, “you not going to escape this one. Not unless you are Vessar himself.” He let out a harsh cackle. The magnetite lamp in his hand bobbing in sync.

Ril hesitated, then while still invisible he carefully backed away with both himself and his clone. “You can control powder beasts?”

“Yes I can. Now I’m gunna see that ugly little mug of yours before or after it gets mauled. Your choice. And trust me, mah beasties can hunt you down whether they see you or not.” The man took a threatening step forward. The panther variant stood up its growl growing louder in the enclosed space.

“Alright, no need for mauling.” Ril said, dropping Vanish.

“Ahh, there you are.” The man, patting his stomach. “Love it when it works.”

“When what works?” Ril asked.

“Threatening people with a good mauling of course, now shut it.” The man squinted at him. “Now why are you here?”

Ril didn’t respond, carefully shuffling his feet backwards as the panther variant slowly stalked closer to him.

“You deaf boy? Answer me!”

“You told me to shut it.” Ril replied.

“Aye, and now I’m telling you to talk, so talk. Or I have mah beastie over there give you a good couple ah kisses.”

“Uhm, yeah. Well I kinda stole something and now the guard is after me. And I heard that there was this tunnel that led out of the city so I figured it would be a good escape route.” Ril lied.

“A thief? What guild are you...wait a minute. That makes no sense. Ain’t no reason you would want to go outside of the walls. Why are you really here?”

“Well, what can I say, that’s the truth.” Ril said, raising his hands in a peaceful manner.

“Hmm, well I guess I could take you to the boss. He’ll get the real truth outa you.” Then the man grinned evilly. “Unfortunately for you, this mission here is top secret and I don’t feel like babysitting you for the next couple of hours. Goodbye. You will make a nice chew toy for mah beasties.” The man clicked his tongue and the panther variant jumped forward, its jaw extended and ready to rip and tear.

Ril fell back as the panther landed on top of him, its jaws wrapped around his hand. Before it could bite down Ril shouted, a hint of panic in his voice. “Wait!”

The man whistled, and the panther froze. Ril’s hand was no firmly inside the panthers mouth. The bandages that he had wrapped his hands with getting soaked in the beasts saliva. Hot fetid air blew out onto Ril’s face as he lay prone on the cavern floor.

Of course could at any time disappear and start running with his clone, so he wasn’t all that afraid of a mauling, however he knew that he probably wouldn’t be able to outrun the creatures through the dark tunnel.

Also it would be interesting to see if these creatures can understand me. I guess this guy proves that powder beasts have intelligence. Or maybe he just has an ability.

“You ready to talk now?” Said the man as he walked closer to Ril. “Who sent you? And how did you hear about this tunnel.”

The panther was gently chewing on Ril hands, not actually inflicting injury. Its tongue lapped roughly at the bandage and reopened the wound that Ril had self-inflicted to fill the vials of blood. A twinge of pain shot up his arm, and stirred up something inside of him.

“No one sent me. I promise! I’m here alone. I just found the tunnel and thought I could investigate.”

“In that case. If no one sent you, no one will miss you when you are gone.” The man smiled sadistically, and clicked his tongue once more.

“No!” Ril said, preparing to swap with his clone. Instead of chomping down on his arm the panther froze. The glowing orange veins that covered its body pulsed with an almost blue hue, before returning back to the customary orange.

“What was that....mangy...good for nothing...” The man mumbled, “Attack!” he said, his voice brimming with power. The cat shuddered, its jaws tensing in anticipation.

“Please don’t.” Ril said, speaking directly to the large cat in front of him. Putting as much emotion as he could into the plea.

It trembled. Its eyes wild and rolling as its veins pulsed, alternating between orange and blue. It released Ril’s hand, and took several confused steps back, shaking its head and opening and closing its mouth periodically the entire way.

Ril stood up, the bandage on his right palm now lay uselessly on the ground. Blood welled in his open palm as he watched the creature struggle.

“Oi, whatever,” The man turned towards the other dozen creatures that were calmly watching the proceedings. “Attack the boy.” His voice once more reverberated with power.

All the beasts, but the panther, shuddered once before lurching to their feet and charging around their master to reach Ril.

“Stop! Please!” Ril shouted. Hoping that his strange kinship with powder beasts would be enough to stop them. He extended his right hand spraying the silver blood over the attacking creatures.

The blood flew through the air and landed on the charging beasts. As one, they fell to the ground. The orange light that had been pulsing steadily throughout the encounter dimmed, and was replaced by a steady, cool, cobalt blue light.

Triggered Blood of the Chromagnum’s Awakening.

Requirements passed.

Awakening Blood of the Chromagnum...

Congratulations! You have Awakened Blood of the Chromagnum.

Plus one to all stats.

???

Congratulations! You have unlocked Keen Mind.

True stats now visible.

Ril tumbled back, stunned by the slew of messages that covered his vision. All the beasts which had fallen now stood slowly staring at Ril with unblinking eyes. Their veins now glowed, lighting up the dark cavern in an eerie blue. In his mind, he felt a connection to them. An almost ethereal feeling that they were waiting for him. Waiting for his command.

The man reeled back. He looked around at the beasts.” What are you doing? Why are you blue? Attack. Attack! Attack him!”

The beasts ignored their old master, watching Ril patiently as he read through the messages and got his bearings.

I wonder. Ril looked up at the man that was kicking at a particularly close beast.

“Attack.” Ril said quietly.

As one the glowing veins of the beasts flared. They turned to the man and within moments he was gone, buried underneath a veritable mountain of seething black limbs, claws, and teeth.

Ril looked down at his hand, the blood still pooling from the open wound. As he inspected the wound he noticed that his own veins shown with an inner light. A blue light. Pulsing steadily to the beat of his heart.

He looked up, unwilling or not yet ready to face this new development, to see that the beasts had finished their grisly task. They stood calmly. Watching him. Waiting.

Ril ripped a strip of fabric from his pant leg, and wrapped it tightly once more around his palm. Then he recalled his clone and with quiet steps moved over to the steps that led out of the cavern. The beasts followed him. He opened the trapdoor, and stepped out to the evening light.

He stood to the east of Anduin, Anduin hidden from sight by a set of rolling hills.

The trapdoor closed behind him as the last of the beasts followed him out, their veins not nearly as bright in the evening sun. Ril looked carefully at each of the beasts. None were as large or had the glint of intelligence that he had noticed in the eyes of the powder beast of the Dread Thicket. However each was dangerous, and more than capable of killing humans should they choose to do so.

“So what now?” Ril asked them. He didn’t receive an answer as the beasts simply watched him in rapt fascination. Unblinking, and quite a bit creepy.

He sighed. Then reached for the thread of connection that he felt within himself. “Go to the Dread Thicket, don’t kill any humans.”

As one the beasts tilted their heads, then turned to the north-west, and began to run.

Moments later, the beasts were gone, leaving Ril alone. He closed the trapdoor and climbed up the hill to get one last look at Anduin. He looked at the city, its bustling obvious even from this distance. Then he summoned his stats, curious to see the change.

Character name:

Ril Renar

Statistics:

Strength

9 (10.1)

Intelligence

18 (20.1)

Constitution

11 (12.3)

Wisdom

12 (13.4)

Dexterity

14 (15.7)

Charisma

11 (12.3)

Warp

11.88%

Abilities:

Awakened Blood of the Chromagnum

Awakened Mirror Form

Mana Manipulation (Basic) (Diffuse)

Remote Casting

Telekinesis

Flame

Vanish

Create Snowball

Backstab (Passive)

Darkvision

Keen Mind

As he stood there, the blue glow of his veins slowly faded to a dull orange, almost invisible in the evening light. He studied his character sheet, lost within his own thoughts when a new window appeared in front of him. It was a deep grey with silver text just like the normal windows that informed Ril of his achievements. However unlike those windows this one was...damaged. The black frame was twisted and parts of it were frayed, and partially transparent. Wisps of smoke spread evenly around the frame.

The words that were written on the frame were damaged as well. Instead of having the letters organized neatly in a line, each letter was spread across the warped background, twisted, squished or even missing parts of themselves. Despite all of this, the message was clear.

W EL C O M E C H I L D

End of Book 1