Rune Seeker

“You what?!” Hiral had to stop himself from shouting. “That’s amazing! What did you get?”

“It was called Death Lord,” Nivian said, and Hiral’s eyes narrowed.

“Was?” Hiral asked. “You say that like…”

“I didn’t take it,” Nivian said. “It was a good class, don’t get me wrong, but even in my half-awake state after evolving to B-Rank, I could feel it wasn’t the path for me. It focused on offensive power, and commanding other undead. That’s not who I am.

“I protect.”

Nivian said the words with such certainty, there was a palpable resonance to Hiral’s sense of concepts – like an Edict somewhere agreed with him. The tank didn’t just believe those words – he was those words. And reality bent around his belief.

It was different than how Hiral had been experimenting with the idea of what he’d come to call concepts, though. For him, he’d been overlaying how he expected reality to be around him. His idea of normal, so to speak. It was how he’d countered the Fiendish Tree’s constant holes between realms – or whatever the hell that was.

But for Nivian? His concept wasn’t about the world around him – or how it affected him. His concept was strictly about himself, though Hiral could feel how that absolute certainly would likely grow. Then it would be Nivian himself affecting reality. How would that work with his abilities? Would it make anything he deemed as protecting stronger? From the sense of things – probably.

Reaching out gently with his Runes of Dreaming and Connection, Hiral acted on instinct, searching for the threads that had to be… there. Lingering within the folds between this reality and wherever the notification windows came from, there was an echo of the advanced class the tank had been offered. And, just like Nivian had mentioned, it felt wrong to Hiral.

In a way, Hiral was surprised a notification window for a class like that – one focused on attacking – had even made it through the concept of reality Nivian had set for himself. Then again, looking closer, maybe it hadn’t completely made it through. Hiral couldn’t sense the same threads of connection he’d found when he’d modified his skill. Like something was blocking them from taking hold. Still, even with that, the potential for the class lingered nearby.

“Do you think you’ll change your mind about the class?” Hiral asked, half-looking at Nivian while studying the outline of the advanced class. Since it wasn’t there for him, all he could really see was a silhouette of it, hidden between folds in reality. It’s a lot like those elemental gates we were dealing with against the Fiendish Tree. Is that how the PIMPconnects to our PIMs?

“I won’t change my mind,” Nivian said, voice full of conviction.

“But the bonuses of that advanced class,” Right said. “They have to be even stronger than what you got at D-Rank.”

“They were,” Nivian said. “From what I saw. I didn’t need to look at it long before I knew it wasn’t the class for me. Even if I’d taken it, I feel like there would’ve been this… dissonance. Like I’d always be at odds – or doubting – the path I was on.”

Nivian’s words struck a chord of truth inside Hiral – that was almost exactly how he’d been feeling recently.

“What if you never get another advanced class?” Left asked. “According to Dr. Benza, you only have chances in D-, B- and S-Rank.”

“Then I never get another one,” Nivian said, no sign of disappointment or hesitation in him. “Who I am – who I want to be – is more important than the class I have. At least, in my opinion. The Death Lord class would not have helped me protect what’s important to me. So, what purpose would it have served? I have more tools as a Blight Warden to do what I need to.”

“Some of your skills would’ve changed?” Hiral asked. That was pretty different than what he’d seen when got his Duelist of the Runic Cycle. He’d gotten a new ability, but he hadn’t lost anything.

“Yes,” Nivian said. “Or, evolved in a different direction.”

Hiral looked again at the advanced class window not so far from Nivian. Would it always be for a Death Lord, or would it change if Nivian got another option. Could Hiral tweak it, like he did his own skill?

A tentative touch with a thread of his solar energy, and Hiral immediately knew it wouldn’t be possible. The intricacies of the class were too locked away. But, even if he couldn’t change it to match Nivian’s ideal, could he help nudge it in the right direction?

Another reach on instinct, and Hiral crafted a line of Connection between the core of the advanced class – the rules of how Nivian’s PIM would get modified – to Nivian’s concept of himself. To his belief of ‘I protect’. Both were entirely intangible, but a whiff of Dreaming was enough to give his tether places to take hold.

There were no guarantees what he’d just done would change anything – but it had felt right.

“What about you?” Nivian asked, and Hiral fully retracted his senses from around the tank.

“Me?”

“Have you gotten an advanced class option?”

“No,” Hiral said. “None of us have. Though…” Hiral trailed off. “Though,” he continued, “I’ve been worried about the path the PIMP was trying to put me on. About the next advanced class it would give me, and if it would be something I’d earned, or just what it decided I should have.

“Talking to you about how you turned down an advanced class because it wasn’t you makes me actually feel a lot better about things,” Hiral said. “Like I have a choice again.”

“Of course you have a choice,” Nivian said, while he looked down at himself and spread his arms. “I’ve had a lot of time to think about the future while I’ve been struggling with the hunger. That may sound counterintuitive, but I don’t sleep anymore. Don’t need to. And while almost every waking moment has been spent dealing with the gnawing emptiness I felt, it made me think hard about what came next. Despite what Odi said, I wasn’t sure if the hunger would ever really lessen, let alone fade completely. It was… everything. If I didn’t have Wule with me – keeping me in check – I don’t know what would’ve happened.

“His class helped smooth things over. It – he – gave me a chance to be able to sit here and talk to you again like this.”

“But neither of you had a choice,” Hiral said, trying to see where the tank was going with this.

“What was it Odi said once?” Nivian asked, looking up. “One choice is no choice at all. That’s how it was when Wule and I got our first advanced classes. We took what was offered because that’s what was needed to protect the rest of you. Looking back at it though, I think it was also because we fulfilled some kind of hidden class requirements. We checked the boxes needed to get these classes, and the PIMP gave them to us automatically.

“The Death Lord class I got was the same thing. Some of what I’ve done led me to getting that class option. I could see it in the abilities presented. But!” Nivian held up a hand to make sure Hiral knew the important part was still coming. “Just because I met the requirements for that class, I didn’t feel like that had to be the end of it.

“When I looked at the Death Lord, I saw parts of it that appealed to me, and parts that didn’t. More than that, I felt – right down to my bones – it wasn’t the last chance I’d have. If I keep meeting requirements for the classes the PIMP has in mind, I will keep getting new advanced class options.”

“You don’t have any proof of that, though,” Hiral said slowly.

“Don’t I?” Nivian asked, his old, familiar smile parting his lips, and he thumbed over his shoulder to where Seena and Seeyela sat with his brother. “Sure, Wule and I got kind of forced into our current classes, but what about those two? When you met either of them for the first time, would you ever have guessed they’d get those classes?”

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Nivian wasn’t wrong. Seeyela had started out as a ranged Caller, and though she still used gravity magic, her application of it had drastically changed. And Seena have become an adorable pyromaniac, from somebody focused on root and plant-based attacks.

More importantly, Hiral had seen how happy they were with their new classes. It wasn’t just the raw power of them either, but they truly enjoyed what the magic was allowing them to do.

“I agree they’re both pretty happy with the classes they have, but they were each also the first advanced classes they were offered,” Hiral finally said. “There wasn’t any choice in there.”

“Not in the class they got, but in the path they took getting to them,” Nivian clarified. “I got my class because I got a city-full of death-infused solar energy dumped on my lap. Wule got his because he literally channeled his own life into saving mine.

“Them? They got theirs by doing the things they wanted to do. And, if I’m being honest with you – and myself – despite me and Wule not having a choice, we still made the choice. A choice either of us would make again and again if it would save the people important to us.

“I know it must sound like I’m talking in circles. I didn’t have a choice, but I still made one. For me and Wule, we chose the goal, and the PIMP gave us a way to get there. That was our choice. For Seena and Seeyela, they chose a path, and the PIMPoffered them something along the way. In their cases, it just happened to be something they were interested in. I bet, though, that if they’d turned down those classes and kept walking their paths, they would’ve been offered something else.

“Maybe it would’ve been something ‘better’, or maybe not, like my Death Lord offer. They took what they got – at the time – because it fit them. Sounds like the same is true for you, from what they told me.”

Hiral nodded, thinking about his Duelist class. Originally, he’d been looking for a natural evolution of the Artificer class he had before, but after his talk with Seeyela, he’d realized he didn’t want that. So, he’d followed his gut and gotten a class better suited for him.

How did I forget that?

“By the look on your face,” Nivian said, “I see you’re getting it. And, back to what I was going to say before. When I was struggling with the hunger, one of the things I decided was that I wasn’t going to let it determine who I would be. Or who I would become. It was part of me – I can’t change that now – but it’s not the core of who I am.

“I protect,” he said a second time, and that same resonating concept warped the air around him for a split second. “That is who I am. That is the path I will take.

“Remember, it’s not the class that defines you, it’s you that defines your class. Don’t let anybody tell you any different. Even the PIMP.”

Hiral considered the tank’s words – and the conviction behind them. After all the turmoil in his head at thinking the PIMP had been controlling his path – that it was responsible for his successes, not him – Nivian was offering an appealing alternative.

“Can it really be that easy?” Hiral half-asked.

“Sounds like you would know better than anyone,” Nivian said. “Seena mentioned you changed a skill you just got?”

“I did,” Hiral said. “It wasn’t easy, but it felt right. It’s just, I don’t know, I was half-worried that if I didn’t do what the PIMP had planned, I’d mess things up. Really mess things up, I mean.”

“How long has the PIMP been around, Hiral?” Nivian asked.

“Uh, thousands of years, at least,” Hiral said. “Not exactly sure…”

“And, in all that time, has it stopped the Enemy?”

“Well, no.”

“Then what makes you think its plan is the best one?”

Hiral thought about the question before he answered. Wasn’t this what he was just talking about with his doubles – how he wasn’t the first? And, if he wasn’t the first, then that’d mean the PIMP’s plans hadn’t succeeded.

“You’re saying…”

“You should do what you usually do,” Nivian said. “Follow your gut. Be reckless. Make a difference, like you’ve been doing. Just don’t tell Seena I said that.”

“Thanks, Nivian, I think I needed to hear that.”

“What are friends for?”

“Great stew?” Right offered, holding up his now-empty bowl. “Say, Nivian, do you make pastries by any chance?”

“Don’t! Don’t answer that,” Hiral interrupted quickly. “He has a problem.”

“I’m glad to see nothing’s really changed with you,” Nivian said. “Makes me feel better leaving Seena, Seeyela, and Yanily with you.”

“What about Gran?” Hiral asked, looking over towards the woman knitting. Like she heard her name – despite how quietly he’d said it – her hooded head turned to meet his eyes. Red-and-blue gazed back at him for a few seconds, and he got the distinct impression she was smiling, even though he couldn’t see her mouth. Another second, and she turned away. “Do you know anything else about her?”

“Very little,” Nivian admitted. “We found her shortly after Bash, and she’s the one I would trust the most. Yes, she has her secrets – very obviously – but she’s always worked with us. I’d almost say she was relieved when we found her.”

“She’s human?” Hiral asked. “Sorry, she was human? She’s a vampire now?”

“One of the very few we found,” Nivian said. “Humans, I mean. I could count on one hand how many there were. The others were… not friendly. Politet included. The city was almost entirely Lizardmen, and then some groups of Troblin slaves.”

“Hrm,” Hiral said. “I wonder when she got there. I mean, before or after Fallen Reach left. Could she be one of the ones who got left behind? Or, maybe she was there before, researching the Urn.”

“If she ever tells you,” Nivian said, likewise looking at the woman. “Let me know.” Nivian shook his head and chuckled. “You know, I came over here for two reasons, and neither of them were this chat we just had. The first was to tell you we were going to rest for a few hours before heading out, and I nearly talked your head off.

“This is probably the most I’ve spoken since I got changed into a Death Knight,” Nivian said wistfully.

“Seena and Seeyela will be jealous,” Hiral said. “How’s Wule, really?”

Nivian looked over at his twin. “He kept me together through all this. And it wasn’t easy for him. He saw a side of me neither of us ever wanted him to see. I wish we could take a break, but that doesn’t seem to be in the cards.”

“No, it doesn’t,” Hiral said. “What was the second reason you came over?”

Nivian held out his hand in response, and a few seconds later, an old book appeared from his Interspatial Ring. “This is the book we got from the dungeon,” Nivian explained. “We haven’t had a chance to look at it yet, but figured since you were here…” he turned to Left, and extended his hand.

“Happy to,” Left said, taking the book carefully. “Hrm, some of the characters on the cover are the same as the equipment in the dungeon. I should be able to figure some of this out.”

“I knew you were the right person for the job,” Nivian said, pushing himself back to his feet. “A few hours, and we’re heading towards that raid zone, then on to the Bonders. Get some rest while you can.”

“Thanks, Nivian,” Hiral said. “We will. And, it’s good to have you back.”

“That’s my line,” Nivian said, giving the three of them a small wave, then walked over to Seena and the others.

“Good talk?” Seena asked over the party chat.

“Good talk,” Hiral confirmed. “I was worried when we came out and he didn’t say much, but that’s definitely the same old Nivian in there.”

“Thankfully,” Seena said. “There’s more of a raw edge to him now – Wule too – but it’s a relief to see them in one piece.”

“Did he tell you he got offered a second advanced class?” Hiral asked. “And he turned it down?”

“What?! No!” Seena said, and the others around the stew pot jumped at her outburst. “Look,” she said, clearly blushing at the others. “I’ve got to ask Nivian about this. We’ll talk later?”

“You know where to find me,” Hiral said.

“I do,” Seena said, then turned her head away from the others. “And, Hiral, I’m sorry we haven’t had more time together.”

“Me too,” Hiral admitted, looking at the woman even though she was turned away. “We’ll get there, though. No rush.”

Seena turned her head again to look at Nivian and Wule, then suddenly she stood up and spun to face Hiral. A dozen quick steps brought her over to stand in front of him, while the rest of the cavern went silent at her sudden actions.

Before Hiral could even ask her what was going on, she leaned forward and kissed him so forcefully on the lips, he completely forgot how to breathe. And think. And… and… what was his mind supposed to be doing?

Lost in the softness of her lips and her hands holding his head in place – despite everybody watching – Hiral, for once, didn’t try to figure things out. Seconds passed as she held him there, before finally – regrettably – pulling her mouth away. Hiral’s heart hammered in his chest, and he tentatively brought his own hands up to gently hold the sides of her head while she placed her forehead against his.

“No,” she said quietly, not using the party chat, the whisper reaching his ears alone. “No more excuses. No more delays. We don’t know what can happen down here. Later is a wonderful thought, but I also want now.”

“Me too,” Hiral said.

She kissed him gently again. “I still need to talk to them for a few minutes, but save me a spot? We need to get some sleep and…” she turned her head to the side a little, a blush running up her cheeks. “And you’re warm.”

“Says the fire lady,” Hiral chuckled.

Her hands squeezed him a little. “You’re a better kind of warm than that. See you soon.” With that, she stood and walked back over to where Nivian and Wule sat with Seeyela, but Hiral didn’t even look at them, his eyes following Seena’s every step.

She was right. Later was good, but now was better.