The first thing I noticed when my eyes opened was the light streaming through my window, completely disturbing my sleep. It was annoying to think that this light was constant throughout the day up here. As i looked around the room once again, I remembered the explanation Nyx had given about the type of furniture it held. For a moment, I almost mistook the chirping of nearby animals for lesser harpies- but harpies wouldn't chirp so insistently.
This was a change from what I was used to, but I had to wrap my head around it if I wanted to level up and become the dungeon ruler I was born to be. Now that I thought about it, how did one formally get recognized as a ruler of a dungeon? Obsidryx had said I needed to be acknowledged as a lawful dungeon master to protect all of us, but what did that even mean?
First I had to think back to what Guild Master Varien had told me yesterday.
"I would like to take you in under my wing at the Meridian Adventurers Guild. I will have someone act as your sponsor, a neutral party, since there are things you're going to need that you currently have none of. The reason for this is that there are complicated matters involving high nobility, and different factions have their own motives. That being said Nyx will be guarding you as you settle in, to assure not just you, but me as well, that nothing unsightly happens."
At the time, his expression had been severe like a man about to march into a den of enemies. What danger had Varien been warning me about?
During the carriage ride, I had also noticed that the written signs on buildings seemed familiar yet different. I had hoped the books from the dungeon were current, but I supposed an ancient dungeon would mean ancient script.
I stared into the corner shadow of my room, bored. Wasn't someone supposed to fetch me for the day's "activities"? I could hear plenty of movement throughout the building, so what was the hold up? Tharion and Obsidryx never made me wait this long after rising.
What did these humans do after rising? Maybe train- it was what I normally did after all- or perhaps meditate to draw mana from the atmosphere. Tharion had said not many people practiced that method anymore, but it was highly effective. Tharion once told me elves still drew mana the old way- slowly, patiently, as if asking permission. Humans preferred to force it inward, compressing what little they could grasp until it obeyed.
Since someone was supposed to fetch me, I saw no reason not to train and meditate in the meantime. As the beams of light grew brighter, I remained in my room and began by clearing my mind, drawing mana inward.
It felt different up here, almost a blue-green hue instead of the deep red of the dungeon. I wondered why that was. Did it have something to do with Virella? Obsidryx had said the goddess was erased, but how could a divine being be erased at all? Was this mana different from what I was used to, or was it the same force simply colored by place?
And more importantly... at this rate, what exactly was a school again?
As the thoughts flooded my mind, I shifted into physical training. My usual exercises felt strangely enjoyable in this foreign space. I didn't know how much time had passed, but when I felt eyes on me from the shadows, I knew it was time to stop.
Nyx was here.
Which meant Varien was finally done making me wait.
Three hard knocks were the next thing I heard. They were loud, but at least not repetitive. I opened the door to Varien's six foot and some inches frame. As I looked at him, I noticed he wasn't bad to look at- muscular, no doubt from rigorous training and battle, hair as black as the abyss, eyes a striking shade of purple, and warm brown skin.
Maybe he had an affinity for earth magic. That would explain why he warned me about the dangers ahead- but who knew?
"Good morning, Sylvara. We're going to meet Duke Caelren now and then head to the shopping district for your needs," Varien said, speaking as though he hadn't made me wait long at all.
"I thought we would have left after rising," I said before I could stop myself. "Why wait so long before fetching me?"
The look on Varien's face told me I had said something odd. Confusion crossed his features before he answered.
"It hasn't been long," He said after a brief pause, no doubt gathering his thoughts. "It's only ten in the morning. Most shops open around this time- some as early as nine."
I didn't fully understand his words. I didn't know what a shop was.
We proceeded to the familiar drawing room where I had met the duke yesterday. As we walked another thought pressed itself forward. I needed to ask about the hierarchy here- what exactly was a duke, and why was this one considered neutral?
As we entered the room to meet Duke Caelren, I was once again met with a sudden drop in temperature. If I didn't know any better, I would have thought a higher wraith was nearby. In my periphery, I saw Varien bow. slightly towards the man.
"Duke Caelren, good morning. Are you ready to head out?" Varien asked, the question sounding as though he had been the one waiting.
"Indeed. Let us go," Duke Caelren replied. He turned and walked ahead of us without hesitation.
Getting into a carriage for the second time was interesting, to say the least. For a moment, I thought kelpies were pulling it- until I remembered that kelpies would kill the humans as fast as they could. As I glanced out the window, I noticed more than humans and beast-kin. There were elves, dwarves, and even a vampire holding a strange stick that blocked the sun.
Maybe I should find out where that vampire bought it. They had the right idea, the sun was annoyingly bright.
This was probably my best chance to ask.
"What exactly is the hierarchy here," I asked, "and what exactly is a duke?"
Duke Caelren looked at me, but I couldn't read his mood. His face remained unmoving, as if carved from stone. Varien, on the other hand, once again looked like I said something strange.
Then I felt the shift besides me in the shadows as Nyx took a seat besides me.
"Wipe that look off your face, GuildMaster," Nyx said casually. "If you can't remember, then let me remind you- this kid has never left that dungeon until yesterday. I'm shocked she didn't ask sooner."
Nyx Shrugged.
I caught a brief flash of emotion on Duke Caelren's face- shock, maybe. Had he assumed I was more accustomed to life outside? Or was I imagining it?
Either way, it was clear I had much more to learn. They were already looking at me like I was a hydra with too many heads.
It seems my path will be a long one, Obsidryx. The world is far wider than Eldraxis and I have much more to learn than we ever imagined.