Runeguard 010

I awoke sputtering and to the memory of a faint ringing. Had something disturbed my slumber?

“Adi,” I rasped. “What time is it?”

“One hour has passed since you lost consciousness,” Adi said, a hint of reproach in her tone.

From the unhappiness in her voice, I took it that Adi was still upset about what I had asked her to do. I didn’t know why though. It had been such a minor request after all.

“Sorry,” I mumbled. I took stock of myself. My skin was smooth and unbroken, and all my wounds had healed. 

Though that was the best that could be said for my appearance.

My shirt had been cut to ribbons and was little more than rags. My pants similarly lay in tatters below the knee, and my hair was matted with gore.

“Gods, I need a bath,” I muttered. “Again.”

“You do.”

I paused, chuckling at the bite in Adi’s tone. Choosing not to respond, I rose to a sitting position and used what remained of my shirt to clean off the worst of the filth.

Then I systematically looted the wolves, leaving the alpha for last.

You have acquired: 12 x timber wolf skins, 36 x pieces of uncooked meat, and the life magic spellbook: lesser heal.

“Well, well, finally a spell!” I exclaimed on catching sight of the last item. “Adi, how do I use the spellbook?”

 “Read it like any other book and you will acquire the knowledge.”

Slightly bemused by her response, I sat down and removed the tome from my inventory. It was enclosed in a glossy brown cover and engraved with bronze lettering bearing the name of the spell.

Opening the book to the first page, I began to read.

✵ ✵ ✵

I closed the book. 

What? I wondered, blinking. It felt like just a second ago that I had begun reading. And what had I been reading? I couldn’t remember.

You have learnt the spell: lesser heal.

Spell: Lesser Heal

Effect: Restores the target’s HP by an amount determined by the caster’s life magic skill.

Parent Essence: life. Parent skill: life magic. Requirements: none.

The book disappeared from my hands. I paid it no mind. “Adi, how long was I reading for?”

“Five minutes, Dace.”

I gaped. “Five minutes?” I asked in disbelief.

“Studying spellbooks and ability tomes is an all-consuming activity that frequently causes players to lose track of time.”

“You should have warned me, Adi,” I growled.

“Sorry,” she mumbled in nearly an exact replica of my earlier response.

I closed my eyes, realizing what this was about. Then sighed. “Alright, you made your point, Adi. I apologize for before. I won’t do it again.”

“Thank you, Dace.”

I thought about the spell again. Even though I had no memory of what I had read I realized I knew how to cast the lesser heal spell. I knew what words to say and how to vocalize them, even if I had no idea what any of the words meant. It was both remarkable and… disturbing.

Rising to my feet, I shook off further thoughts of spellcasting and took in the surroundings while I contemplated my next move. Nearly all signs of my battle with the pack was gone. I doubted anything else lived in the valley either. The pack would not have suffered any competitors. 

I glanced upwards at the cave and frowned. I had still not explored its depths. Just why had the alpha been so protective of it?

With a slow deliberate step, I made my way in.

✵ ✵ ✵

I was immediately blinded on entering. 

The cave’s gloominess made a stark contrast to the bright sunlight outside. Yet even though I could see nothing, instinct made me drop into a crouch.

Something about the feel of the surrounding darkness in the cave put me on edge. I stilled and strained my ears. Was that breathing I heard?

You have detected a hidden enemy!

Your detection skill has increased to rank 3.

I frowned. Other than confirming I was not imagining things, the System message was no help. 

What was in the cave with me? And why had it not attacked—either earlier when I was unconscious outside, or now when I had entered?

My eyes had begun to adjust, transforming the blanket blackness of the cave to shapes outlined in shadow. The cave was larger and deeper than I expected—opening out into a huge space at least a few dozen yards in diameter from the relatively small opening. 

The back of the cave—which from the outside I knew lay against the far slope of the valley—was still indiscernible, but I sensed that an opening lay there… a tunnel mouth perhaps, leading deeper into the earth. 

It reinforced the impression that I was at the entrance of a subterranean expanse of some sort. Whatever this place is, it’s no simple cave.

At the suggestion of movement, my gaze flicked back to the center of the cave. Prominent amongst its shadows were two blots of darkness.

The shapes, I realized, were the cave’s other occupants. I drew my weapons and studied their outlines.

From the entrance, I could discern little of the two shapes other than their sizes. One was four times the size of the other, but both were still many times larger than the timber wolves—which had been my first guess as to their identities. 

The two forms didn’t move again. But I knew they were alive. Both the hint of movement I had seen earlier, and the System message confirmed that.

I inched closer. No reaction. Then closer still. I kept going until I was about a dozen yards away. Two red-tinged orbs opened and pinned me back. 

Albino eyes.

I froze, studying the owner. It was the larger of the two forms. Each of its eyes appeared bigger than my shield. Just how large is that thing? 

At a guess, I placed the creature at over thirty feet in length. But even now, I could make out little of its true shape.

You have examined an unknown entity but have failed to perceive any aspect of its nature.

My lips turned down at the failure, but since the creature—whatever it was—remained unmoving, I crept closer while under its unblinking regard.

The second creature opened its eyes, and my gaze swapped to it. Its eyes were stark white, with no hint of color.

You have examined an unknown entity and have partially perceived its nature. Your target is a level 10 black dragon hatchling.

Your insight skill has increased to rank 3.

My eyes widened, and I had to fight hard to suppress the instinct to turn and flee. 

Black dragons?!

There was no way I could face such beasts. But the pair still hadn’t moved. There was no need to panic. 

Yet. 

I calmed my racing pulse and studied the mystifying System’s response again.

A level ten dragon hatchling? 

How could a hatchling, even a black dragon one, be so high levelled? Though, at seven-feet-long, the hatchling was impressively large. Seeming to sense my inspection, the smaller black dragon growled.

The first form, though, reacted not at all. 

I hesitated, debating the wisest course of action. If the hatchling was level ten, then its larger companion had to be of even higher level.

Flee? I wondered. But if the black dragons were going to attack me, surely they would have by now? It would be reckless to advance further, I knew, but… the mystery of the beasts’ passiveness was too enticing.

I took another step forward.

“Stop.”

I froze. The command had come from my administrator. “Adi?”

“Something is wrong here, Dace,” she said, her voice troubled.

“What do you mean?” I asked.

“I am not sure, but the Law compels me to intervene. I must query the Creche administrator,” Adi replied. “Don’t move,” she added absently.

My brows furrowed. “Creche administrator?” 

There was no response.

“Adi?” Silence. “Adi?” I called out again, this time aloud. More silence.

I could no longer feel the administrator’s presence in my mind. What was going on? I fingered my sword worriedly. And what did I do now?

My gaze darted to the black dragons. They were still staring at me.

“What are you?”

I nearly jumped in fright at the voice in my mind. It did not sound like Adi, but I still couldn’t help asking, “Adi?”

“Who is Adi?” the voice asked.

I considered not responding, but saw no harm in it, and besides, I was growing more curious by the minute. “My personal administrator,” I replied.

“I am not the System’s creature,” the voice replied, sounding amused.

“Who are you then?”

 “You’re looking at me and don’t know?”

I gulped and refocused my eyes on the two black dragons. “Which one are you?” I asked aloud.

The larger beast twitched. “I am Nightstalker. Mooneyes is my hatchling.”

I bobbed my head in acknowledgment of the black dragon. Curiously, I felt little fear. Perhaps it was the cultured tone of Nightstalker’s voice that set me at ease, or her continued stillness. Whatever the case, it did not seem like the dragons intended on eating me. 

Not yet anyway, I thought wryly. In a fit of courage, I decided to broach the matter head on. “How come you haven’t attacked me?”

“Why?” Nightstalker asked. “Are you my enemy?” More amusement colored her voice. “But I take your meaning, stranger. I cannot move. I have been frozen by the System.” She paused. “I have answered your question. Now answer mine.”

I frowned. “Which one?”

“What are you?”

“I’m human.”

“Human? I have not heard of your kind. When did your species enter the Proving Grounds?”

I eyed Nightstalker speculatively. The black dragon was more knowledgeable than I expected. “Yesterday, I think. My species is a new entrant.”

“So, this is a Creche?”

I nodded.

“Ah, that explains it.”

“I’m not following you,” I said.

“It explains why I have been frozen by the System. A creature of my level doesn’t belong in a Creche.” Her voice turned sad. “Death will follow soon.”

“What? Why?”

“The System will not allow me to live, not after I have trespassed into a Creche.”

The conversation had turned disturbing and I didn’t like the implications. “How did you trespass?”

“Me and my hatchling were in the area when it was redesignated a Creche.”

I frowned. “That doesn’t sound like any fault of your own.”

I could sense Nightstalker’s mental shrug. “It is what it is. The System knows no reason. Only the Law. My fate cannot be changed.” She fell silent. “My only regret is for my hatchling,” she said, sounding wistful. “Mooneyes would have grown into a fearsome dragon.” 

That I could believe. My gaze slid to the younger black dragon. “Why doesn’t she talk? What’s wrong with her?”

“She is close to death and too weak to speak. Even without any interference by the System, she will perish soon.”

I cocked my head to the side. “Can I help?”

“Why?”

“Why what?”

“Why do you want to help? You showed the wolves outside no mercy.”

So the black dragon had sensed my battle with the timber wolves. I shrugged. “They attacked me,” I said, making no attempt to excuse my actions. “I will show no mercy to those that do.” I met Nightstalker’s eyes. “But you and your hatchling have not threatened me. I will help you if I can.”

“You follow the law of the Wild. Admirable. You are interesting, human.” The black dragon fell silent for a moment—thinking I thought. “I sense the Essence of life within you,” she said eventually. “Are you a healer?”

“Of sorts,” I said. I glanced at the hatchling again. I could still make out little of her form or spot any wounds. “But I may not be able to heal Mooneyes,” I admitted, not wanting to give Nightstalker false hope.

“It is enough that you try. But I cannot accept your help without compensating you in return. I will not indebt the Clan to a stranger.”

I scratched at my chin, not understanding her meaning. But before I could ask her to explain further, Nightstalker lidded her eyes momentarily and a System window appeared in front of me.

You have acquired a new Creche task!

Creche Task 04: Heal Mooneyes

The black dragon Nightstalker has requested that you: heal Mooneyes.

Main Objective: Restore Nightstalker’s hatchling to full health.

Rewards: The regard of chaos.

My eyebrows flew up as I read the alert. 

“Did you receive a task, human?”

I stared at the dragon with a troubled expression. “How did you give me this task?”

I felt her amusement. “I wish that I had such power,” Nightstalker said. “Alas, none but the System itself can grant tasks. Though over the centuries, we black dragons have learnt that under the right circumstances—how shall I put it?—that the System can be encouraged to offer one.” 

I nodded uncertainly.

“Accept the task, human.”

I opened my mouth to accede to her request, when another voice spoke in my mind.

“Do not, Dace.”

Adi had returned.