From Another World:Occupations

Chapter 9: Echoes Before the Gate

The sun was barely past its zenith, casting long golden shadows across the high grasslands that surrounded the winding trade road. After three weeks of travel, combat, discovery, and personal revelations, the six Earth-born adventurers were weathered—but not worn. The road behind them had been littered with fallen bandits, system notifications, star maps, and strange dreams. The road ahead led straight toward the final city before the capital: Elyden.

As the group crested a hill and the silver towers of Elyden shimmered on the horizon, Robert broke the silence with a puzzled frown. "Wait... Shouldn't we smell worse? We've been walking and fighting for days."

Steven blinked. "You're just noticing that now? I thought I was going nose-blind."

Ivan sniffed the collar of his leather cloak. "No sweat, no stink. Not even bloodstains from the fight three days ago."

The system responded before anyone else could.

[System Note: Host Biometric Maintenance Active]

[Automatic Self-Cleansing Protocol Engaged. Clothing and skin are maintained at optimal cleanliness for Rank F and above. Clothing repair and adaptation available at no cost within system-approved parameters. Clothing can also be changed or refreshed upon command.]

"So we've been walking around in self-cleaning magic laundry this whole time?" Sana asked, half amused, half incredulous.

"Thank the gods for small blessings," Meloy muttered, adjusting the straps of her gardening satchel.

As Elyden loomed closer, the road widened and the occasional patrol of armored guards on stag-mounts could be seen riding past. The city was nestled against a broad riverbank, with stone bridges and lush greenery hugging its walls. Unlike Vaelrin's rustic, frontier style, Elyden was a blend of nature and craftsmanship, its outer defenses framed by living walls of barkstone trees and ivygrown towers.

Mellik, the merchant they'd saved weeks prior, waved them forward as their caravan approached the gate.

"Welcome to the last city before the Heart," he said, referencing Astralis, the capital. "Elyden is known for its river silks, arcane artists, and merchant guilds. You'll like it."

Guards checked their caravan papers—Mellik's name carried weight—and the group was soon granted entry. Crowds bustled through streets of polished stone, floating lanterns drifted lazily above, and children ran laughing between open-air markets. Though smaller than the capital, Elyden pulsed with life.

The first stop: the Guildhall.

---

The Adventurer's Guild in Elyden was a crescent-shaped structure of white stone and sapphire glass. Guild crests—fist, flame, beast, and scroll—lined the upper balcony. Inside, it was quieter than expected, though humming with energy. Behind the desk stood a broad-shouldered elf in a navy-blue uniform, his silver eyes sharp.

"Quest log, caravan escort from South Vaelrin?" he asked as Robert stepped forward.

Robert presented the sealed contract.

The elf scanned it with a glowing scroll.

[Quest Complete — Caravan Escort: Mellik's Route | Grade: F]

[Bonus: Host Reputation Increased – Regional Recognition Granted (Elyden)]

[Reward: 200 sliver, 3 Guild Credits, Tier-1 Favor Token]

Each of them received a smaller pouch of coins and a gleaming token embossed with the guild crest.

"You're the guys that came with Mellik I've heard about, then?" the elf asked, glancing between them.

"Word travels fast," Arlo muttered.

"Faster when High Races are watching," he replied simply, then handed over the last pouch. "You'll want rest before the capital. And a guide."

---

That night, they didn't rest in an inn.

Mellik, ever the grateful merchant, insisted they stay in his mansion overlooking the riverbanks. His estate was not opulent, but elegant, built from white brick and set into a garden of crystalline reeds and glowing lotus trees. Servants brought them warm towels, prepared baths, and laid out fresh clothing.

Dinner was a lavish affair. Roasted sun-elk, silvervine salad, berry-infused spirits, and steaming honeybread. Music played from a crystal orb, and Leyra—Mellik's daughter—sat with them, speaking of her years in Elyden's minor academy.

"You'll love Astralis," she said to Robert between sips of elven wine. "It's massive, confusing, beautiful. And terrifying. They say the gods watch from the upper ring. Literally."

Sana tilted her head. "What's the 'upper ring'?"

"Floating sanctums above the academy grounds. Nobody but the divine-bonded are allowed up there."

---

Later that night, as the stars shimmered over Elyden's skies, the gods watched.

In a realm beyond mortal comprehension—a place of endless light, shadow, and time—a round table shimmered into view. Seated around it were six beings of impossible radiance and shape.

Virell, god of imagination, lounged with a cloak made of shifting stardust.

Ysera, goddess of wisdom, hovered serenely with countless eyes drifting behind her head.

Nael, god of luck, was flipping a coin that never landed.

Elryn, goddess of willpower, stood in stoic silence, arms crossed, watching.

Khorus, god of beasts and instinct, half-man, half-wolf, growled softly in approval.

And Amnesh, the Lost One, god of chaos and outsiders, simply... laughed.

"They've made it to Elyden," Ysera said. "The synchronization is working."

"They're adapting faster than expected," Elryn noted. "Especially the healer... Sana. Her will burns brightly."

Khorus grunted. "The cook too. That one learns the power of beast and fire."

"Still think I was wrong to choose them?" Virell smirked.

"You were reckless," Ysera replied. "But it might just be working."

Nael let his coin vanish. "I say let the dice roll further. The third act is always the twist."

Amnesh grinned. "They are chaos incarnate. From another world. They do not belong—therefore, they belong most of all."

The gods looked down upon Elyden and waited.

---

[System Update: Host Proximity to Capital Detected — Activating Nero's Core Sequence: Part III]

[Updating Host Profiles...]

Dr. Robert Starfield – Class: Starseer / Dual-Knot Schola — Alignment: Virell (Imagination), Ysera (Wisdom) — Hidden Link Detected — Elemental Path: Celestial Magic (Gravity, Illusion, Memory) — Specialization: Star Map Integration, Astral Flow Control, Predictive Observation — Basic Weapon: Threaded Starsteel Blade / Celestial Threads — Basic Skill: Water Pulse + Astral Thread — Celestial Link: Dwarf Moon Neros (3/7 Observed Phases) — Unlocked Constellation: Delta Lyra Sector (Focus: Dimensional Navigation, Resonance Tracking)

---

Ivan Venn – Class: Shadow-Tailor / Cloakbound Caster — Alignment: Elryn (Willpower), Virell (Imagination) — Specialization: Silent Tailoring, Ethereal Fabric Combat, Weaving-Based Stealth — Basic Weapon: Dual Daggers – Seamripper & Hemline / Bloody Scythe — Basic Skill: Phantom Stitch + Shadowfold Lunge — Subclass Note: Garment enhancement boosts stealth and movement.

---

Meloy Conners – Class: Verdant Planter / Bloomforge Initiate (Gardener-Keeper Subclass) — Alignment: Elryn (Willpower), Ysera (Wisdom) — Specialization: Plant Bonding, Biogrowth Command, Healing Bloom — Basic Weapon: Seed-Scepter of Bloomroot / Verdant Heavy Shield — Basic Skill: Vinebind Shot + Nutrient Surge — Subclass Note: Magical plant life can be grown and shaped for battle or healing.

---

Steven Cross – Class: Flavor-Bound Cook / Gourmet (Flame-Fused Chef Subclass) — Alignment: Nael (Luck), Khorus (Beasts) — Specialization: Ingredient Fusion, Elemental Cooking Arts, Combat Recipes — Basic Weapon: Iron Chef's Cleaver of Embersteel / Flavor Magic Carving Knife — Basic Skill: Sear Slash + Quick-Prep Flameburst — Subclass Note: Can cook combat-ready meals in the field.

---

Captain Arlo Reyes – Class: Pilot-Ward / Mechlinked Warrior (Pilot-Architect Subclass) — Alignment: Nael (Luck), Khorus (Instinct) — Specialization: Arc-Tech Machinery, Combat Frames, Tactical Engineering — Basic Weapon: Grav-Hammer (Adaptive Build) / Mech Storm Blade — Basic Skill: Gearlink Launch + Kinetic Recoil Stabilizer — Subclass Note: Future access to construct companions and deployable mechs.

---

Sana Cruz – Class: Mindbinder / Spirit Gymn (Healer of Rage Subclass) — Alignment: Elryn (Willpower), Nael (Luck) — Specialization: Soul-Based Damage Mitigation, Empathic Buffing, Strength Channeling — Basic Weapon: Weighted Spirit Gauntlets / Weighted Leg Locks — Basic Skill: Anchor Pulse + Muscle Memory Strike — Subclass Note: Anger and empathy enhance both offense and defense.

---

The stars above Elyden shimmered with foreign constellations, but Robert saw the patterns now. Delta Lyra's arcane lines curled behind his eyes, the star-map unfolding with clarity.

He turned to the sky. "Almost there."

Behind him, Ivan stepped out, sipping fruit mead. "Think the capital will be ready for us?"

"I think the real question," Robert said, "is whether we're ready for it."

Below, Mellik's estate slowly dimmed, the lamps flickering low. In the distance, the silver outline of Astralis glowed faintly in the horizon mist.

Tomorrow, they would enter a city built on miracles and madness.

And the third act of their journey would begin.