chapter 2

"24 hours until a new destination" The voice spoke waking James up, the air felt dry and hot. His eyes opening, he began looking around seams to be in a dessert with the sun beaming down. Sweat beginning to condensate on his face and arms. Standing up was difficult right away because the pain in his shoulder became worse when added to the stiffness ."This can't be a dream" frustration in his voice overwhelming . Now standing James with Tears streaming down his face, looking to the heavens for an answer shouting " What is going on here!?! "

Unfortunately the answer did not come from the heavens but under his feet, A large snake creature rose from the sand, it looks to be about 25 foot long and 10 foot wide . The beast circled James closing in quickly, The skin of the beast pulling on his flesh. The beast began to squeeze James's entire body .

"Now I am really going to die" he thought to himself.

soon he realized that even if this creature was squeezing him for some reason it doesn't hurt as much as he was imagining infact the only painful part was the pulling on his skin. Wanting to test his theory James starts trying to move his arms just a little. It feels like moving his hand through the water of a gentle stream as the massive Snake is being pushed away by each movement he makes.

"I can do this." A determined James says.

pushing now with all his might the beast recoils away from the man before going to bite down on James with it's blade like teeth each one as skinny as a needle but as tall as a man. James jumps back hard to get away, still unable to fully control his strength he flies back into a sand dune .The beast is back on top of him moving in for a strike as he pulls himself out coughing up sand.

"fffff fireball!" James screams praying that it will work. A small puff of smoke leaves his hand. The snake stops it's strike from the sudden heat in its face and pulls back for another strike, noticing the heat quickly disappearing. James makes a fist and strikes with his fist as hard as he could smashing the snakes head into its own body it's teeth fall from it's mouth as it quickly quits moving. James sits down in the beast shadow unsure what to do now but know he needed a small break, his eyes close for what only feels like a moment.

"22 hours until a new destination" The now familiar voice tells him. Sand now caked on James's face and in his wounds, He begins to walk not having a destination in mind but knowing he needed water .He was hot and still tired this was the most working he had done in his entire life. After walking for what felt like miles James sees a small town ahead .

"20 hours until a new destination" The voice reminds him. As the man enters town weird looks are coming from everyone passing by as James looks down at his apparel the only article of clothing on him was his jean shorts and his bandaged shoulder.

"I need clothes" Muttering to himself.

He looked for a building with any indication of being a shop. Finding one with what looked like a bag on the sign he walked in.

"Do you have any clothes that might fit me in here ?" James began asking the large man standing behind the counter.

"over there" The shop keep grumbles pointing to a shelf with stacks of folded clothes on it.

"thanks"James nods at the shop keep. walking over and looking through the stacks until pulling out a cloth robe that looked to be about the right size.

"5 Cooper coins" The shopkeeper said looking him up and down. James reached into his cloth bag and pulled out 5 of his coins.

"I don't have any copper will this work" setting the small gold coins on the counter .

The shopkeeper tone changed seeing the gold coins "what happened to my manners, my name is Eric" Eric smiled at James picking up just one gold coin

"I don't have enough change to give you back for this" he laughed "but if you grab a pack, a water gourd, and a good tent we can call it even" Eric smiled knowing he was still getting more then the items worth from this man.

"Thank you "James spoke while being a little taken back from the mode change, while putting the 4 small gold coins back in his small pouch.

"Now to find a bath "James mumbled under his breath just loud enough to be heard by Eric.

"There is an inn right across the road that traveling merchants and members of the church stay in. They might have a large enough bucket for you to take a bath in" Eric smiled as he informed his new favorite customer.

"Thanks again " James says heading out the door and over to the inn .

Walking into the inn he got more dirty looks from the professional looking man behind the counter with large rabbit ears.

"How much for a room and a bath?" James asks carrying the items he just purchased from the shop.

"1 silver coin" The man grinned as he spoke

"I only have small gold "James spoke hopefully that he was figuring out the money system here.

"How do you have a good coin?" The innkeeper spoke still in distaste.

James set one coin on the counter "I'll take a good meal as well"

The innkeeper picked up the coin and handed him 98 silver coins back.

"1 silver for the meal " Pointing to a door away from the counter. James walks into his room. There is a large wooden tub in the corner and a straw bed on the other wall with a bar lock on the inside of the door. James goes over to the wooden tub and begins to strip down and get in. The Tub is already filed with room temperature water when he gets over to it.

*19 hours until a new destination* The voice informs him as he is getting out of the tub and getting dressed in his new clothes. Sitting on the bed James decides that he needs to find someone to take a look at the wound on his shoulder .

James soon left the inn walking back over to the shop that he had been at before. There were only a few custum ers inside this time when he got in there, so he waited patiently for it to clear out a bit before speaking to Eric.

"Excuse me Eric, Do you know where I can find someone to look at a wound I got?"

"Go into the Church someone there should be able to help you." Eric answers. James walks out in the direction of the large church building.

"18 hours until a new destination" The voice tells him.

Walking into the church he could see rows on rows of seating and a large podium on the stage in front. There was an older woman standing by the podium looking up at a statue of what looked like a large bird with an incredible wingspan .

"Excuse me "James said moving quickly up to the stage.

"I was informed that someone here could help mend my wounded shoulder" looking up at the woman who turned around, now looking down upon him .

"Hello new child of the Phoenix I am Mother Cassandra let me take a look at your wound"

Her voice is very powerful and James put his head down a little as she talks.

"T t t thank you "James began stuttering as he pulls the robe off his shoulder to show his wound.

Cassandra's voice begins to shake the air as she speaks " ohh great Phoenix carrier of the winds bring your breath into heal this man !"

James feels a wind course around his body , focusing on his shoulder and arms where the snake scales had pulled at his flesh. The wind left the room almost as quickly as it entered . Every spot on his body that had hurt now felt better and he did not have an ounce of pain.

"Thank you Mother Cassandra, What can I do to repay you "James smiles, feeling a new energy flowing through his body.

"It's not me who you should be thanking " She speaks her voice sounding softer .

"The carrier of the wind and sky's the great Phoenix is" She smiled as she turned back to praying to the statue.

James left the church still feeling a bit dazed from the power. "I need to figure out a way to defend myself " James began walking to the edge of town .

"17 hours until a new destination" The voice informed James.

"I need to figure out how to use that fire ball thing "James tells himself determination in his voice.

Holding his hands up pointed away from town ."Fireball " Attempting to force it to work." fireball fireball fireball" only ever producing smoke from his hand.

" Fireball"

" Fireball"

" Fireball" Still nothing.

"15 hours until a new destination" the voice reminds him that it has been two hours and all he has gotten in some smoke from his hand feeling exhausted James spoke in a pleading voice. "fireball" Finally a small ball of flames came from his hand and flew about 5 foot before dissipating .

"I did it "James exclaims before wobbling a little bit from feeling lightheaded.

"one more time and I'll go rest "James smiles .

"Fir....." James falls unconscious.

"10 hours until a new destination" the voice spoke in his head waking James up, It is now dark outside and the air still feels hot as it did in the sun .Mouth dry James takes a sip from his gourd before putting the top back on it.

" What happened to me " He wonders while looking around.

Standing up James walks back into town he needed to get something to eat he was starving. James enters the inn "Can I get that meal now?" he asks the rabbit man.

"Certainly sir I'll have our staff bring it to your room" James walks in and lays down on the bed he noticed the water in the tub is new and clean I'll bathe again after I eat he tells himself. A few minutes go by and he hears a knock on the door. "Your food sir" a soft voice speaks from the other side . James moves to open the door and is astonished by the beautiful woman holding the tray of food .

"ttt thank you" James smiles grabbing the tray from her. Sitting on the bed he takes a good look at the food , there was a slab of meat, some bread and a glass of wine on his tray. After he finishes eating he decides to take a bath again getting off all the sweat and sand from the day.

"9 hours until a new destination " The voice tells him as he lays down in bed. James soon was lost in thought. "Why am I here, this can't be a dream it has gone on to long and that bite hurt. What do I need too do to get back home.." These thoughts ran through his head as he fell asleep.

New destination transferring now experience points acquired "

"1 enemy slain 50 points acquired"

"survived one day 100 points acquired"

"no side jobs done 0 points acquired"

"150 points acquired"

"375 experience points total level up acquired"

"all languages cost one mana stone"

"maximum strength cost one mana stone"

"basic magic acquired fireball cost first level"

"one free skill earned would you like to choose it now" The voice told him

"yes" James thought to himself.

"skill choices are as followed weapon proficiency, crafting, and scavenging"

"crafting could be useful" James makes his decision

"crafting menu unlock"

"simple crafting/ smithing recipes unlocked"