Chapter 55

“Amora! I was wondering when you would arrive. We expected you hours ago.” One of her companions called from where they were standing off to the side, observing the potential new members with a critical eye.

“I prefer to arrive here late, Abelardo. The less time spent in this place, the happier my skin will be. Last time I was red for days.” Amora responded, as she stood next to the group. The speaker, an incredibly large man, with a huge pot belly peeking out of his shirt, bellowed with laughter at her reply.

As the mage responsible for transporting the students from the ‘Foreigner’s Port’, she had the longest distance to travel. Even with the ‘Gate’ at the Branch for assistance, it was incredibly draining for her. The others were coming from all over Lund with locals, promising recruits from good families or handpicked for their talent.

“So, Amora. Do you have any good seeds for this trial? The last few showings from these foreigners have been less than impressive.” Another asked, a short woman, her face thick with makeup to hide pockmarks that Amora knew covered her cheeks.

“Several, in fact.” She said, looking in the direction of her charges. She drew the groups attention to the tall, muscular woman who had the best combat results they had seen in quite some time. She had replaced her armor with long, flowing white robes to keep the sun’s heat from her body.

On her hands were a pair of spiked gauntlets, the fingers long and tipped in sharp claws. From where they stood, they could see the enchanted runes glowing red with a sinister power.

“That one is the most talented in combat that I have seen in years. Her name is Akra, a Khmerian. She can trace her lineage directly to the God King himself.” Amora said, her tone tinged with a trace of awe in her voice. Although the God King of Khmer had ultimately failed his ascension, he was still a powerful demigod, and one of the last known humans to have attempted to become a divinity.

“Truly? Had Khmer fallen so far that she would seek to join our Guild?” The short woman, Rose, said derisively.

“Their loss is our gain. The God King’s line has always been remarkable. Even the Usurper was special, despite his failings.” Abelardo spoke up, nodding his head as he stared at the distant warrior woman.

Amora searched the crowd, looking for a tall figure with wolf ears, before bobbing her head in his direction. The group focused on the pair of Beastmen, engaged in conversation next to a merchant’s stall.

“Tarrac of the Nomadic Beast Tribes did exceptionally well in the exploration task. He would have been one of the top recruits for our Guild, but I believe his care for his sister is holding him back.” She said, frowning at the fox tailed woman next to her brother.

“A hunter from the Daintree? I had heard the nomads experienced some disaster in recent years, a plague or disease?” Rose wondered aloud, as she placed a finger against her lips.

“A curse, affecting their birth rates. He wouldn’t offer more information than that.” Amora offered, shaking her head.

“Are they seeking the Midnight Desert Rose as a cure?” Abelardo asked.

“Not specifically, no. One flower wouldn’t cure their entire tribe, regardless. I believe they have been sending their youth to search the world for a permanent solution. A further gain for our Guild out of another’s tragedy.” Amora said, her face dropping with sadness as she stared at the siblings.

“You can’t help everyone. Gods willing, they will find their own solutions while working for our Guild. We don’t take advantage of people, Amora. We both gain.” Abelardo said, placing a hand on the mage’s shoulder.

“Enough of this morbid talk. Is there anyone fun amongst the newcomers? The last group had that bard, he was a riot!” Rose said, breaking into a smile at the remembrance.

“He was a nuisance! I’m glad to be rid of him.” Abelardo scoffed, scowling at the thought of the flamboyant bard, his voice tinged with jealousy as he shot a look at the short woman by his side.

“Hush! You’re just envious of his talent! I’m going to be seeing him again after we’re finished here. He promised to show me his harp.” Rose said, blushing.

“That’s not the only thing he’ll be showing you, Rose.” Amora said, grinning at her friend. Rose turned from pink to scarlet as the group laughed, Abelard frowning at the comment.

“There is one other interesting person.” Amora said, after the laughter had died off. Her face turned serious as she looked towards the Oasis.

Following her gaze, the group found themselves looking at a young man, wearing deep blue leather armor, a white fur cloak draped across his shoulders. Despite the intense heat, he looked uncaring as they could see the shimmer of magic from the magical item, driving the heat away.

His skin was pale from being underground for a month, and his long, black hair was pulled back from his face with a plain, leather cord. He was handsome, with blue eyes. The group could feel from his mana that he was Rank 7, but his magic was odd. Like it was restless, or eager, constantly agitated within him.

“Doesn’t seem like much. How did he perform in the tests?” Abelardo asked, sizing up the young man and dismissing him.

“Adequate in combat, well above average in exploration. He made it to one of the ends of the ruins and his magic is interesting. He has access to spells that should not be available to an Illyrian.” Amora said, staring at Wil as the latter watched the oasis in front of him.

“Another Illyrian. ‘Adequate’ would be a surprise from someone hailing from that backwater.” Abelardo said, a slight distaste clear in his words.

“You’re just saying that because that bard was Illyrian.” Amora said, shaking her head at his display.

“You are proving my point.” He responded with a grin. “Why are you interested in this one, Amora?”

“He has potential. I’ve investigated his background. No talent to speak of, he has gotten to where he is through combat and experience. He is similar to you, Abelardo.” She said, looking from Wil to her companion with a smile.

The large, retired warrior scoffed at her words, although he looked at Wil with new respect. To reach Rank 7 while not possessing talent was an accomplishment to be proud of, especially at such a young age.

“We’ll see how he does in the desert. But, if he starts singing songs and flirting with every woman here, I’ll see him buried in the dunes before allowing him in the guild.” Abelardo said, still thinking of the bard.

The group made their way to a nearby, open air tavern, with long benches set up in the shade where they served cool drinks at exorbitant prices. The blue sun traveled slowly overhead, before reaching the horizon.

Before the desert could see any kind of relief from the heat, the yellow sun of Primaris peeked its head up from the east, announcing the start of the final test of the Adventurer’s guild.

Wil stood with the others at the edge of the small town, staring out at the black desert. The heat was unabated, and already he had taken to throwing up the hood of his cloak to shield himself from the intense sunlight. It was a pleasant surprise to find that the Ursine fur protected from heat as much as cold.

He had initially bought a white robe to wear crossing the desert, similar to what many others in the crowd were wearing. But after feeling the coolness emanating from his cloak, he decided it would be better for protection than simple white cloth.

Already, he could feel the draining effect of the lack of mana around him. Every sliver of mana spent in this place escaped into the environment, with nothing returned to his core. If he had to spend months crossing this desert, he needed to be very careful about his mana use.

For now, he would walk, saving the Clockwork Owl until he had a dire need of its services. In this place, he would only be able to sustain its flight for a day at most, not nearly enough time for the crossing.

“Recruits! It’s time!” A voice yelled out from the front of the crowd. In a moment, the earthen hand was lifting the mage, Amora, into the air again. Looking down from her perch, her voice carried easily to the thousands gathered.

“As we have told everyone here, there will be no guardian angels on this journey. You will be on your own, responsible for your own destiny. Pick your path carefully, ration your supplies and mana. Resources in this place are plentiful if you know where to look for them. Look deep beneath the ground for salvation. Good Luck!” With that the earthen hand moved to the side, leaving the crowd an uninterrupted view of the Midnight Desert.

Like an ocean wave, the crowd surged forward. Taking his first steps onto the black sand, Wil began the final test.