Denizens of the Labyrinth

Jazmel had been with the dwarves for weeks now. The gate had been unlocked and the entire domain changed. Not only had they regained access to the system. But Frae had been made king under the mountain, this gave him control over all those of his ‘kingdom’ he could make tasks. He could give out quests. the King could also improve the wares of the home base or the pyramid of the dwarves so to speak. Even now as Jazmel stood on a small hill, under a young tree.

He was overseeing a group of dwarves hunting, trolls were building nests close to the pyramid. King Frae had created a task for the dwarves to go and clear them out. With the rewards varying due to participation and evaluated results. Jazmel had promised to only get involved if the dwarves needed it and as of right now. They had no need for his help, but he was happy to see the dwarves upskilling. Learning their own capabilities and earning stats and skills.

He himself, was itching to move on. Now that the gate was open, he was hoping to move through the gate soon and advance deeper into the labyrinth. He could send missives out now, but he chose against it. He would meet up with his party when the labyrinth let him. after all, now would be a good time for him to get stronger. Travelling alone had its own advantages after all.

The nest had been cleared out, the dwarves that he was minding. Came out of the cave after casting fire bombs into it to burn out the corpses and bring the cavern down on itself.

“Remember to loot the corpses of any creature, beast or monster you kill. The system will usually give you rewards and sometimes items, but corpses are rewards in themselves. You can break them down and make new weapons, armour and items from them. I know how good dwarves are with their hands, but imagine how great your weapons could be with new materials!” he called over them, they were tired. Their stamina was budding and still not where his own was. But they listened to him, there was true awe wafting off of the dwarves. Many knew him, those who hadn't seen him fight in the battles had heard enough from their peers. Most of the dwarves respected him for fighting so well beside Frae. But the others, thanked him for regaining them the system, most watched him with divine reverence and it made him uncomfortable. But he understood why they did, he couldn’t imagine life without the system, and he had only had it now, for a few months.

“We got it!” one of the dwarves growled, his voice deep as a mine but hearty and behind his thick beard, Jazmel could tell he was smiling.

“Should we go looking for more then?” he asked, smiling back. A roar cantered up and the dwarves grabbed their weapons and began scouting for the identifiers of trolls.

They had hunted for hours, three nests had been destroyed. The items the dwarves had earned had been bountiful and he had made sure that they picked the last two nests clean before moving on. None had storage rings yet, so they had to carry their own rewards back. It soon became somewhat of a challenge to see who could carry the most rewards on their back. Jazmel watched them with fascination as each dwarf seemed to carry well above double their weight in system gifts and troll hoard rewards.

When they returned, Frae and two guards were at the gate. They were keeping inventory of everything coming into the pyramid and sorting through the items that could help the pyramid. Even as Jazmel neared the pyramid he could feel the system energy wafting from it. Frae had begun working on the pyramid as soon as the system offered him the chance.

Mines that once held ores, now held Mana essence and crystals. Frae explained he had to use them to repair and enhance the features of his kingdom. But it made no sense and as Jazmel wasn’t part of the kingdom, he was not allowed to see it. but that was fine, he was just happy that his friend was going through the motions to better his chances and his peoples.

“I assume you will be moving on soon.” Frae said to Jazmel, his head in a large book as he wrote down inventory but Jazmel could tell his friend felt away, he was sad.

“I have to find my party, but if you need anything you can message me. The system has a feature.” Jazmel explained and Frae waved his words away.

“I know, I already sorted that out.”

DING!

KING FRAERIN OF OREVALLOR HAS SENT A FRIEND REQUEST!

WILL YOU ACCEPT?

Y/N?

Of course he would accept. And he did, the system buzzed with energy before moving on.

“You have helped me and my people more than I will ever be able to repay in this life.” Frae started, but Jazmel stopped him.

“Stop, don’t do that. We are friends.” Jazmel started.

“Brothers.” Frae corrected him.

“Yes, we are brothers. If I didn’t help you, what would that have made me?” Jazmel said and Frae watched him for a moment.

“You are destined to do great things in the labyrinth, that much I am sure.” He said and Jazmel shook his head while he palmed the nervous sweat on the back of his neck.

“I am not sure of all of that. All I know, is I am trying my best to get things done as they fall in my lap.” Jazmel said and Frae nodded, understanding his words.

“Your heart is great, it beats in a way that whatever you do, with your heart invested in it. the results will be grander. I am sure the labyrinth had plotted a way through its depths for you, that few others could ever walk.” Frae uttered and Jazmel smiled, kneeling he hugged his friend, his brother.

“I must go now.” He said and Frae nodded.

“DWARVES OF OREVALLOR! OUR SAVIOUR LEAVES US, BUT DO NOT DOUBT HIS JOURNEY REMEMBER HIS STOUT HEART AND CARRY ONE YOURSELVES!”

“DWARVEN SALUTE!” Frae yelled and the dwarves began to stamp, shields were banged, spear butts thudded against the ground. They were wishing him well on his journey and he felt his cheeks damp with happiness. The dwarves were dear to him.

DING!

YOU HAVE BEEN MADE A FRIEND OF THE DWARVES!

ALL DWARVES OF OREVALLOR WILL RECOGNISE YOU AND REMEMBER YOUR STORY!

10% AFFINITY AND HARMONY WITH OREVALLORIAN DWARVES!

He left, walking along the beaten path towards where he hoped the gate would be.