Joshua returned back to Mulligan. Seeing Ferno flying above into the sky, and Lugasa who went off to meet with the Ancient of Autumn. Joshua made his way to the Ancient of Snow's domain. Seeing the entire city be encased in snow, followed by the voices of people all around him. Joshua could not just run everywhere like he did before.

Lord, your speed stat has been disabled.

Please feel free to explore for a bit.

This happens when a new weapon or armor has been made.

Or when something has stirred up in your heart.

Think of this place as the place of your heart, and as before. Your heart still needs a bit of nurturing before anything else.

Now that was peculiar, the menu popped up as Joshua proceeded to move on forward. Finding a rifle sticking out from the ground in front of him. A rifle of ebony with a helmet sticking by its butt. It was an aged rifle, as he walked closer. Sounds of gunfire took the atmosphere.

"Watch the .50!" The voices echoed, it was like a battlefield in his head yet, Joshua could not find the sources of the gunfire.

"We're not falling! We have to hold this line! Even if it kills us!"

"Sir, yes sir!" The gunfire ravaged as the echoing voices were fading. Hearing a blade being pulled out from its sheathe, then hearing a click.

"I am alone... But that does not mean I am going to give in. Even if I take one of those bastards, I would be content. So be it! A charge to the death!"

Joshua reached the rifle and picked it up.

Unknown Soldier's Vow

This rifle bears the vow to protect.

The rifle belonged to nameless soldiers who gave their lives to protect an orphanage in Aloris.

This rifle bears their feelings, it comes with a bayonet. Based on the M1 Garand with the M1 Bayonet.

Attack Power 900 Range 450 meters Capacity 8 bullets Ammo Winchester Magnum 458 Melee damage 150 Sharpness Phantasmal

Joshua pulled the rifle out, looking at the engraving on the body of the rifle. 'For those kids, I'd march through hell.' The rifle would reload with stripper clips and there was more to this. Joshua shouldered the rifle as he continued onwards to Bayran's domain, hearing the voices of soldiers singing cadences.

"Left, right. Shoot the head."

"Left, right. Kiss yo momma before you go to bed."

"Left, right. Going to dine in hell tonight." Joshua was hearing this, he could not help but be amused yet honoured. It felt like he had a reliable group of soldiers that was moving by his side. Yet, Joshua could not help but wonder why such a rifle was here? The M1 Garand was a weapon that was used a long time back when the world was at war. A time when war and humans were at each other's throats.

Stepping forward, Joshua heard another voice and even more gunfire through the entire area. Joshua continued moving ahead, hearing another voice. Trekking through he kept hearing more gunfire. Hearing furniture being moved around, Joshua stopped in front of a cottage. Then hearing gunfire, watching the glass windows and door be taken apart by gunfire.

"I'll make my last stand here.For Zmei. For our land." Joshua heard the whispers as he stepped into the cottage, seeing a skeleton of a soldier in remains with a pistol in front of it.

Zduhac

A pistol that was used by a soldier of Zmei. This particular model is based on the Yarygin pistol with a suppressor attached.

"Zduhac's are not born,Dedushka.. Zduhac's are made... One day you will be a Zduhac as well."

This pistol represented the Zduhac's last stand against traitors of their people.

Zduhac's kill silently, this pistol is the testament to their skill.

Don't be fooled by its suppressor, it does kill silently but not necessarily means it is not one for battle.

Attack Power 45 Range 200 meters Capacity 17 bullets Ammo 9mm

Joshua looked at the gun, it was completely black but the paint itself is worn out. Single stack 17 round magazine but the pistol itself was much different compared to Priest Alex's Blessing. Joshua had gotten two weapons, these additional weapons had him thinking about what he would need. Though as he reached closer to Bayran's home, he heard another set of gunfire, then silence.

Every 30 seconds a gunfire was heard, Joshua went closer and closer. Then seeing a rifle in front of Bayran who was laying down. Seemingly well rested as the children of the creatures in Mulligan were playing all over his body. They did not seem to mind it.Every 30 seconds, he heard a gunshot. Then hearing the sound of a knife flicking open, along with a few sounds of a scratch. Seeing a skeleton that had a cigar in its mouth, shouldering a rifle. Joshua stepped closer to see a hole in the cranium.

Lee's Resolve

A high caliber rifle that was meant for long range targets. Born out of the fear of a woman who was trying to fend herself during the invasion of the orcs. When the orcs reached her position, Lee pointed the pistol to her temple and shot herself.

"I'd rather die than become your slave."

Attack Power 1500 Range 2400 meters Capacity 5 bullets Ammo .338 Lapua magnum

Another resident of Mulligan, though Joshua did not know much about her, what he did find out was a woman who chose death over survival. If Joshua had taken that way out, maybe she would be here instead of him.

"You have returned, Lord." Bayran greeted Joshua, lazily as he kept his eyes closed. Letting the air out of his nostrils be a great wind that caused snow piling up by the trees to be shaken. Some of it ended up piling over Joshua, encasing him in it. Joshua had to dig himself out from the huge pile of snow.

"There seems to be an air of rage around you. Ah, you've met a Berserker." Bayran spoke as Joshua with his eyes closed.

"How did you know?"

"What is on the outside can be seen and from here, Lord. I'm sure she told you about Noir Dancers and Garden of Thorns." Bayran spoke as an elven child sliding down Bayran's neck to his nose. Giggling as the parents arrived, worried by the pressence of Joshua and Bayran.

"Oh, Ancient one forgive us." The elven mother spoke with a slight shake to her voice.

"I do not mind it as much... Now, Lord of Thorns. Though it is mentioned briefly... Allow me to explain the differences of a Unique class and a normal class that Venerators on the outside use.Unique Classes are only given to those who have passed a trial to gain them.Every class has its path to a Unique Class but not every class can be a Unique Class." Bayran explained.

"The beginning of Noir Dancers are Death Dancers, the trial for the Death Dancer itself? Is to undergo the terrible things mankind has done to each other and not lose your sanity. It was originally brought by a system where 'Patrons' would speak to everyone. A hero of another time and place. The Noir Dancer and Lord of Thorns made contact in the past to try and stop an evil that will destroy our worlds. However, this has brought some changes. Now there is a Garden of Thorns in the world where the Noir Dancer originated and a Noir Dancer in our world."

"Wait.. So Noir Dancers did not exist?"

"Yes. They did not due to the many differences our worlds had. In this world the Patrons do not speak to you, it is the Ancients. The Ancients of Seasons are the ones to determine if the Seedling is worthy to be a Garden and your actions as a Seedling or Garden in Training will determine your status as a Lord of Thorns. Noir Dancers lead to battle with Companions, Lord of Thorns lead to battle with their familiars." Joshua paused for a moment. The word Patron sounded something like a deity of sorts, then are the Ancients gods themselves?

"So does that mean you are technically Gods?"

"To be accurate, we are servants of the Gods. It seems you picked up that Patrons were synonymous to the word God. The Gods of this realm had been silenced due to a chaos that gave birth to the Garden of Thorns. The First Lord started the order, and was followed by 10 loyal subjects along with the Noir Dancer. They fought and defeated a plan that the Gods of this world was hatching with the Patrons of the Dancer's World. As a result the Lord of Thorns and the Noir Dancer decided to seal the God's voices and gave freedom to the servants. The current overseer is the Goddess of Seasons... She is eccentric to say the least." Bayran explained as a child brought some meat for Bayran who glanced at Joshua.

"Also why are the weapons responding to me? Some of these did not exist until some time ago."

"The Lord of Thorn power comes from remembering and honouring the dead. When you interact with the living that has some form of relation to them, such things are bound to happen. Though that is not the question you wish to ask.." Bayran said as he took a bite of the offerings that had been brought by the children.

"It is good, thank you child." Bayran said, then turning to Joshua who was deep in his thoughts.

"What is Chosen by the Lord of Thorns?"

"It is not a permanent class unless they swear an oath to serve you. It is a class of growth. Those that serve by your side will grow rapidly and quickly. Just as the black phoenix above you." Bayran said, where they all watched the Ferno fly close to them in its large state. It was massive, the Phoenix of Legends could rival Bayran in terms of size but power? Joshua had doubts about it.

"The children became Venerators as well but their classes will change to suit more expeditions and not be combat focused as the ability 'Lord of The People' determines where they stand. When one swears loyalty to you, they become 'Servant of Thorns' which becomes part of their class. Bayran raised his right arm to pop out a menu.

Servant of Thorns : Warrior

Above is the example of what will be written into the class list. If a person is granted this, they have opportunity to become something further and more powerful than the original unique class. However, to be worthy as a Servant there are a few pre requisites that must be fulfilled.

1. Loyalty to the Lord of Thorns

Loyalty does not mean words but in actions and intentions is to uphold or serve the Lord of Thorns

2. Reason for loyalty

Reason for loyalty can be anything, but it must originate from the actions by the Lord of Thorns.

3. The Path.

The path to become a servant may occur at any time but it will be grueling as the Lord of Thorns must be prepared to subdue their servant in case they have lost themselves in The Path itself.

These 3 Prerequisites are ambigous as the 2nd Lord of Thorns was able to turn his enemies who had desire to serve him but were on the opposing side of the battle. They became his servants and fought by his side.

"Familiars are useful, but having a Servant is another matter entirely. A comrade in arms does change a lot of things. It is what separates the Lord of Thorns from other classes. You reward those who are loyal to you whereas others do not. I hope this has satisfied your curiosity." Bayran said to Joshua who was still deep in thought.

"I guess.. In a way it has? Oh, just a question. Are you technically a familiar?"

"Why yes, of course but we are only available at select periods. When you enter Quest Spires we all will be able to be summoned and to aid you on the journeys that relate to it. The reason being is that Quest Spires grant us a lot more room, the other spires don't let us be there due to size restrictions. The Ancients must always be in their true forms when weappear in Spires." Bayran's answer gave Joshua a few ideas. Ones that he can execute later.