Spirit of the North

Turns out, if you read the guidebooks, or read the lore tabs in video games, they tell you a lot.

And I mean, a lot.

Pfft.

Who would've known?

Vaniti did surprisingly well. She caught onto it fast—faster than I thought she would. But now that I have a better idea, I think I have the perfect build idea for her.

Spirit Elf-Nightstalker.

Oh my dev, you can just hear it, right? Amazing utility, great coverage. Great offensive and defensive options and capabilities. Support if she needs to. But I wouldn't honestly say that if she's no-diffing all the content in the game–er, world.

Maybe I should put a pause on her progression, right? Because at some times it feels like I'm forcing it almost…

...She doesn't even know what a subclass is. And yet here I am, already theorycrafting endgame content.

I'm practically foaming at the mouth in her development…if she progresses the way I think she would, I'd have no doubt she would give me a great challenge.

But…the thing I noticed now is that…there's no MMO. No patch notes. Nothing.

Which kinda means…I can awaken those broken mechanics again.

Now, the thing is that we just need to find a settlement. Anywhere. If they have a shop, I know a few cheeses with items I could do to pull it off far better for Vaniti.

Consort Vaniti, the Nightstalker.

The full title gives me shudders along my tail, that I didn't even know existed. The sense of getting used to this third limb entirely was still foreign.

I also needed to check out the other third limb because I haven't needed to use the bathroom in the past hour or so—both Number 1 and Number 2.

Well, to be fair, I don't think I ever felt the need to use it in that dark abyss of a place I was in. Still struggling to find the words to describe that place still.

I slightly tilt my head back, looking at Vaniti. She doesn't notice, or maybe she does and doesn't change her posture or the way she walks. She looks straight ahead, forward.

Her right hand covered in a black fabric, yeah, that hand she made the blood pact in. I don't want it to get an infection, but even after it happened, she should feeling a stinging sensation, right?

It should hurt, right?

As I've watched her more and more.

I don't think she tensed up or flinched not once.

And if anything—she was more calm than I ever gave her credit for.

I don't know if that's cool.

Or scary.

Before long, I noticed that the scenery of the forest was fading. It was starting to get dark, with the sunset now playing out in full swing. We had traveled a far distance already, and I'm glad it wasn't all for nothing.

Because, in the far off distance, there were orange lights. Small, any regular person wouldn't be able to see them. But it was there, and as we traveled over this far hill, there it was.

In the distance, a large stone gate.

"Finally," The word slipped from my mouth, but there was no point in holding it back anymore. It was about time we found a town, or city.

Maybe it's Dragonia. Probably there I can find clues about my condition and how exactly I got here.

I peer over to Vaniti.

And maybe a few items for her, too. Get her out of those clothes, maybe a better blindfold because that one that I just happened to rip a cloth of my cloak won't do. Not entirely.

There's other specifically suited for her kind, and to an extent, the exact build I want for her. Would be Meta, but even I don't think I'll find it in Dragonia. Would have to go quite a few places.

Alright, first things first. Find out more about my situation, help Vaniti and spec her properly, and then the rest will sort itself out.

I think.

After a couple of more moments, Vaniti and I came across the gate. The large, steel double doors opened wide for a carriage to leave. I looked at the guards, and the eyed me.

I smile greatly, raising a hand, "Hey there! I'm looking to–"

"Registration?"

Two of them confronted me, my hand slowly fell into my cloak. I shot them a confused look.

Of course they need a damn registration.

And I don't have my inventory to give it to them!

I have virtually nothing! Seriously! Virtually nothing!

I remember in the game to pass through towns you would need a registration card. But since I've lost mine in the black abyss, there's no telling where half of my actual items went.

My hand goes to my head, scratching nervously. "O-oh…about that, I–uh…"

I peer over to Vaniti, and he only stares. Looks at me, then at the guards.

As if a sudden lightbulb went off in her head, she digged into her pouch, and pulled out a card.

One of the guards take it, assessing it closely. Then, with a roll of his eyes, he gives it back to her.

"Very well, then."

The two part—Vaniti and I walk through them. I held my breath just slightly. That was…a close call.

I look towards her and wink. Nice going Consort Vaniti.

She gives me a soft smile, and a nod tagged along.

Right before we were about to step foot into the city, I heard the clinking and rustling of iron armor getting near us.

"H-hey, you there!"

I didn't turn around.

Must be talking about someone else.

Vaniti didn't turn around either. Yeah, most definitely not talking to us—

"Sir! You! The one in black robes!"

Well, it's a cloak but to each their own.

I turn around slowly. Both of them step before me.

"Say…have I seen you around here?"

"No. No you haven't." I respond a bit deadpan.

The two study me, before their faces fall with such sudden fear.

The grip on their weapons lessen entirely, one of them even puts a foot back.

"Ri-right…sorry for the annoyance."

They both turn away.

Wow.

That was…weird.

They haven't seen me before, I'm sure of that.

I think.