The Ruby Magician

The water basin rippled once Wyn placed his parchment upgrade sheet on the stone pedestal. He wasn’t sure what exactly was going to happen, but he was told he would be granted passage beyond the room along with the others, immediately being transported to the sixth floor.

Nothing happened. After half a minute he started to worry something was wrong before a thought struck him. Maybe like before he needed to speak it?

“I choose the Ruby Strategist.”

The piece of parchment glowed at his words before slowly disappearing into the air, reforming back into the magical tower from where it was created. The water in the basin to his left glowed as well, so bright that Wyn had to shield his eyes. When he noticed the light faded, he opened them to see a portal at the end of the small room.

Walking through the portal was far easier than it had been a month ago. He was determined. Resolute. There wasn’t just monsters and traps on the other side. There was hope. Hope that he would gain enough gold. Hope that he’d survive and keep his friends alive, too. Hope that he would save his sister from a life of torment and strife.

The chamber he walked into was smaller and more plain than he expected. It was lit by bright torches set in sconces close to the ceiling like the last several floors, the obvious temple layout of the season continuing into the second tier. He looked around to find his four teammates also present and also cautiously inspecting their surrounding.

Wyn pulled out his parchment. His summary sheet was updated to reflect his new class upgrade, and each sheet for SKILLS and SPELLS also were updated. This would take some getting used to, but he had time. Time to practice and improve his new, magical skills. Time that he didn’t take advantage of when he first came to Alestead, something that he regretted. If he wasn’t so pressed to gain as much money as possible, he had a feeling he could’ve studied magic with Daniel and trained to be even better Climber once he started into the tower. Instead, he rushed head first into it like an idiot that nearly cost him everything.

But, somehow, it worked out. And here he was, entering the second tier during his first full month of climbing.

Pulling up his primary sheet, he inspected the new text.

FLOOR 6

PARTY: 5/5

Quest: The temple doesn’t appear to be abandoned after all. You’ve fought the lower inhabitants and survived, but that doesn’t mean you should go further. Although, surely something of value must be held inside. What will you find as you continue searching? Death? Or rewards?

Wyn put his parchment away. Alistair really liked giving cryptic messages for each floor. Was there some kind of complete quest for all 20 floors that only made sense after completing it? If he looked back at this season’s floors, it started in the jungle and quickly veered to investigating a mysterious temple. What would the rest of the floors look like? Just how large was this place, really?

At the moment Wyn didn’t think too much about it past questions and simple curiosity. While it was certainly interesting, after the following week this entire space would be lost forever, gone and remembered only as a climbing challenge for those who participated. As he learned, the tower didn’t repeat floors, so whatever mysteries and secrets were inside lasted for 30 days, only then to be left behind for an entirely new environment and challenge. He understood how it could drive a person mad, especially someone like Cedric or Daniel who valued knowledge and learning.

But, that wasn’t Wyn’s interest right now. He wasn’t going to climb any higher and he had only one goal in mind. And that goal wasn’t learning about Alistair’s intricacies.

Returning to the task at hand, Wyn looked around. On the other end of the room was a single passageway that was large and wide, easily big enough for the entire party to walk side by side with room to spare. John and Wyn led the way while Marcy stayed close behind, and Cedric and Tasha brought up the rear. They casually walked forward in silence, a simple understanding that was shared between them.

Just a few minutes into the passageway a loud rumble could be heard ahead. The path cut at a sharp angle to the right, preventing any visibility further on. Shadows appeared first, quickly followed by a group of four Lamierts slithering along the stone floor. They were armored and equipped similar to the ones seen on the previous floors but didn’t look to be any stronger or different.

Wyn felt a strong pulse of magic wash over him. He readied his spear to charge thinking he was under attack, but realized he was coated in a red aura along with John. The Fighter - Squire, now - just looked at him and smiled.

“It’s an enhancement aura,” John said. “Strength, toughness, endurance. Just stay close.”

Wyn understood. It was time to test out their new abilities in the new floor and John was already a step ahead of them.

Wyn and John pushed forward and met two of the monsters head on. John immediately overpowered the Lamiert he faced with hard sword strikes and devastating blows, his improved strength and endurance showing its power immediately. He only had to block one blow with his shield that he easily knocked to the side, the monster’s axe glancing off harmlessly. His counter strikes flashed with impressive speed that made Wyn envious.

Wyn also felt the increase from John’s aura, even without his Speed Up skill active. He dodged one attack from his enemy’s sword and struck back but the Lamiert blocked it with its shield. Wyn recovered but cast Shield when he questioned being able to dodge the next sword strike. The weapon bounced harmlessly off the barrier.

These monsters looked similar to the ones before but were obviously more powerful. They were stronger, faster, and downright bigger than what he previously faced. This floor might be easier overall than the fourth floor, but climbing was still deadly, and being overconfident equaled death. He needed to stay focused.

Wyn cast Feeble on the monster, the familiar skull appearing above its head. It shrunk a bit and its movements slowed slightly, and a dim black aura surrounded it while it continued the fight. Wyn briefly wondered about his Chaincast skill. That was two spells back to back that met the criteria of activating it. Maybe he should push it further and see if the ability would activate?

“Regen,” Wyn said, casting it on himself. The spell activated like normal. Under his feet, however, similar to the shadow figure in the water basin, was a brief flash of his Ruby Magician mark.

John killed the first Lamiert at the same time with a deep stab of his sword. As he freed his blade he was enveloped in the same white aura as Wyn. He looked at the multicolored aura around his hand for only a moment before attacking another monster.

Wyn saw the same effect - it worked. Chaincast activated and the duplicate Regen spell latched onto John.

Adrenaline swelled through Wyn. As long as he had mana and could use spells, he’d try to use Chaincast to the best of his ability.

The small fight took less than a minute longer before Wyn and John killed all four of the Lamierts. John did most of the work killing two of them and helping Wyn on the last, but with Wyn’s Regen spell and John’s aura affecting them both the monster’s hits that made their way through their defenses were either blunted or healed immediately. There were only minor blows or cuts overall, and his healing spell rid them in seconds.

Feeling such magical power excited him. This was a taste of power that Wyn thought was palpable, and it was addicting. It was easy to see how Climbers could become addicted to wanting to gain more and more power. Power and prestige was never something he wanted in life, only safety and security. But for someone who sought being the best, being too careless could mean the end.

Just like Lionel. His entire situation with Wyn and their group was a bleak reminder of the lure of obtaining power at whatever cost.

The Lamiert’s bodies dissolved back into the tower without leaving so much as a basic weapon behind. The rest of the group caught up to them immediately after, patiently waiting behind them during the fight in case they needed to intervene.

“That was easier than I thought,” John said. “I feel… powerful.”

Wyn nodded. He and John were even more alike than he thought.

“Just keep a level head,” Cedric said. “It’s important to take your time. You three have new abilities to test and use but it’s still a dangerous environment to do it in. This is just the beginning, after all.”

“Yea, of the floor,” Marcy said.

John and Cedric looked at her with confused expressions.

Marcy smirked. “What I mean, is that that little fight was just the beginning of this floor. We’ll have plenty more! It won’t be completely easy. You’re getting used to your new upgrades and you won’t figure them out right away. So go slow.”

It wasn’t five minutes later when the next group of enemies showed up in the stone pathway. It was a similar makeup of before except they carried slightly different weapons. John and Wyn stepped forward ready to fight them when a large runic circle appeared on the ground around them, glowing with a bright green glow that was rising in intensity by the second. The runic symbols inside were were more numerous and complex than any spell Wyn had seen so far, and the size of it nearly covered their entire group.

Before he could ask what was happening, he saw Tasha holding her staff in front of her, her eyes closed and whispering. It took about five seconds in total, but when the glow finally stopped Tasha opened her eyes. The large symbol on the ground broke and disappeared just as quickly as it came, and standing beside Tasha was a creature.

Well, when Wyn looked closer, it wasn’t actually standing. It was hovering just slightly off the ground as four small, translucent wings on its back fluttered quickly like an insect. It seemed to be about five feet tall and humanoid, but was covered in leaves and vines for clothes. Its eyes were completely yellow but not menacing, a nice contrast to its green skin and body. It raised its arms straight up and caused a flood of green and yellow magical energy to form higher in the air just below the stone ceiling.

In a flash the energy rushed forward in a series of leaves, vines, and impossibly fast growing branches that battered, sliced, grasped, and encased the group of monsters ahead of them. The display of power was nearly too bright and strong for Wyn to directly watch, though the sheer magnitude and what he witnessed drew in his gaze like nothing before.

When the magical display began to relax seconds later, Wyn’s jaw fell open. The group of monsters were completely demolished. Parts of their bodies were scattered on the ground along with the magical earth remnants that were used to destroy them. Only one of the monsters seemed to survive it, but it was quickly killed with a smaller lash of a vine from the creature floating beside Tasha.

Each of the Climbers turned towards Tasha who just smiled awkwardly.

“What in the actual hells was that?” John asked.

“This is a summoned being,” Tasha said, waving her hand to the creature beside her. The being didn’t move or make any gesture, only stayed staring ahead at the fallen group of monsters. “I only have three available, but this is the Fae elf Thrindikle.”

“It has a name?” Wyn asked.

“Yes, he does,” Tasha said. Thrindikle started to glow and vanish as a puff of leaves and grass fell in the spot where he floated. “My Herald spells are called Callings. The Called beings come here for a short time but are powerful. They’ll be better and last much longer once I become a true summoner.”

“I’d say they’re great just as they are,” Wyn said. “That is an incredible ability. How much mana does it cost?”

Tasha sighed. “Unfortunately a more moderate amount with each cast. I can only use two of them before I’m low enough to not be able to cast a third. But I have several mana potions with me just in case, so don’t worry about me not being able to heal when needed.” Tasha flashed her potion belt while she spoke, and there were twice as many blue vials inside it than red vials.

“That’s alright with me,” John said.

“Me too,” Wyn said. “But what about your Magician spells? Or any advanced spells?”

Tasha smirked. “My Herald upgrade includes three spells in the second tier of Divine Magician spells, and all of my first tier spells are stronger. So we’ll be covered just fine with healing and support!”

When everyone else showed signs of relief, Wyn’s face fell. That wasn’t just helpful. That was incredibly strong. She had both Callings as a Herald and more spells from the Divine Magician list? He had nothing like that.

But, he had determination. He’d use what he had available to him to still be worthy of being called their group’s leader. Even if he had a class that was considered detrimental. There was no doubt in his mind about that.

“I have a feeling like we’ll be just fine,” John said.

“Yes, we will,” Marcy added. “I have a really good feeling about our group.”

Wyn smiled along with the others. Marcy spoke what they were all thinking - their group was more than good. They were great. Even with just five of them they worked well together and were strong. Plenty strong to push forward and accomplish whatever they needed or wanted.

Wyn looked ahead further down the stone path. Even if his group could handle themselves well this floor was still dangerous. And he knew he’d be looking at some variation of this path several times a day for days to come.

*****

Wyn stepped out of the base of Alistair into the hot air. It felt nearly as bad as the jungle on the earlier floors, a time that felt like ages ago. The month was at its end as the season passed the midpoint of summer. It was a far slower change than the seasons within the tower, and far less exciting as well.

Wyn wondered what the next month would being. A snowy landscape? The middle of a busy city? A desert? The magic inside didn’t seem to have any boundaries. Whatever it would be Wyn dearly hoped it wasn’t anything to do with water. That would be disastrous for him to try and climb.

He held Windcutter delicately in his hands as though it was going to be blown away by the wind any second. An odd feeling washed over him. The spear got him through a difficult month on more ways than one. It was the perfect fit for the earth based enemies as well as its feel. To Wyn it just felt right. If he was going to climb into the second tier, though, he needed a new weapon. Something that could carry him further and give him even more benefits. A sense of melancholy washed over him thinking of parting with it but he knew it had to be done. This was the life of a Climber - equipment was exchanged often as a new Climber, according to Marcy and Cedric.

It was just another season. That was a phrase Wyn had been hearing more and more at the guild hall in the last couple of weeks, and he had a feeling he’d hear it plenty more.

A hand softly rested on Wyn’s shoulder. “Are you alright?” Tasha asked.

Wyn smiled and nodded. “I will be, yes. Just thinking of what’s to come.”

John and Cedric stepped forward while Marcy pushed her way between Wyn and Tasha, covering them both with her arms.

“That’s the beauty of it, my friends,” Marcy said. “No one knows what’s next. But at least we aren’t alone in finding out.”

John twirled a green aura dagger in his hand while Cedric spun a green glowing crown around a finger, both of them playfully toying with their haul of items for their first climb of the sixth floor. They decided earlier to wait and go to the markets when they had a bundle of items to sell rather than each day to maximize their time. Wyn previously hoped they’d have at least ten items to sell, but after finding two magic items on one climb alone, he felt confident the count would be closer to fifteen, maybe even twenty if they were lucky.

Hopefully they fetched good coin. Wyn didn’t want their entire haul to only go towards his debt despite them all agreeing to donate their earnings to him for the rest of the week. If they could earn a few extra hundred, he’d happily give that sum back to them as thanks. And if not, he was making a tally to pay them back one day, anyway. They more than deserved it.

Seeing his friends celebrate at their success made Wyn want to celebrate, too. This was an exciting new adventure even if it was out of necessity. Maybe one day Arabelle could join him in the city and start a new life. Not as a Climber, of course - that was far too dangerous. But maybe she’d enjoy the city life and want to try her hand at finding a job in the guild. It had to be better than a pitiful life with their bastard of a father.

When he first returned home and learned of their situation, he fought his father to bring Arabelle with him. Both he and his sister wanted to leave, but his father flat out refused. He said he needed the help on the farm, but Wyn knew he was just keeping her their out of spite. When his father threatened to bring in the authorities Wyn knew he had lost. Technically their father was still his sister’s guardian, and she wasn’t married. There was no other man or family she could go to. With Wyn leaving the military dishonorably, being framed for his soldier’s deaths, he knew if the royal authorities stepped in there was a good chance he’d be dismissed or even jailed.

As Wyn’s mind wandered he was brought back to the present with Cedric’s eccentric laugh. The sound was jarring enough to wake Wyn from his own thoughts, and that was saying something.

“Are you all ready?” John asked. “We still have plenty of climbing to do! After a small reprieve, of course.”

The others all agreed as they walked to the guild hall to rest before their next climb. Wyn did, too. For once, here in a strange, magical place, he truly did feel ready. He felt warmth and comfort from people who he considered friends. And he felt encouraged that he was going to be successful at escaping his family’s debt while saving his and his sister’s life.