"Hello! Welcome to your Tutorials first Quarterly Event!" The familiar effeminate voice that plagued the Placement Tournament and Pylon selection echoed seemingly endlessly throughout the insanely large hollow rows of square balconies as far as the eye can see. Footsteps clapped by the 3's behind me as everyone quickly shuffled out to the balcony hanging out of our massive metallic box of a room.
"Firstly, we'd like to congratulate each of you for qualifying as a representative of your faction. Every lifeform in attendance has proven themselves capable of serving a justifiable purpose to the multiverse. Each faction will select 5 participants, who will be tasked with completing a variety of tasks while traversing reconstructions of the multiverses' most notable worlds and planes. Each plane will be entered and exited through Dimensional Frames, which will only appear after your squad has completed their objective."
Okay, outside of Dimension jumping this seems simple enough.
"There will be a minimum of 10 total squads per plane at the beginning of the event, each in direct opposition with one another. The first 3 squads to complete their objective will be recieve unique Dimensional Frames, rewards, as well as points allocated to your faction after each plane objective. Places 4 and 5 will receive points for their faction and a moderately rare Dimensional Frame, while all other places will receive no points and a more manageable Dimensional Frame. Individuals will carry their faction's points they earn, and will drop them upon death. All points will be tallied at the end of the event."
"So it's a tournament." I said in a deadpan, thinking my disappointment aloud. Korbin jabbed me in the bicep, causing me to recoil shooting him a dirty look.
"Those of you not loyal to a God or faction, you will be given a 30 minute grace period to mingle and create alliances with one another. This grace period will be allotted to all participants, however those loyal to a faction cannot change fealty until the conclusion of the first Quarterly Event. While this event allows for less than 5 members per faction, it is HIGHLY recommended you utilize the maximum party size allowed. " The effeminate voice continued, murmurs beginning to crescendo through the endless round abyss of bright square lights.
"30 minutes for inter-faction mingling shall commence, now."
*TICK*
A wide beam of oscillating white light extended from the end of every viewing area forming multiple bridges leading into a circular walkway that spiraled up and down the otherwise lightless hollow abyss. A few ant-sized figures in the distance could be seen sprinting toward the center, no doubt in hopes to allege with anyone.
"Alright, let's head back inside and figure this out." Korbin said, placing a hand on my shoulder and ushering everyone back into our spacious cold metal box of a room.
"We're not interested in finding allies out there?" Cassi asked while we paced back into our minimalistic waiting area.
"After we've selected our 5 participants, of course. That being said-" Korbin turned heels heading to the center of the room, all of our Druidic warriors and recruits backing away as he walked like a beam of light shining among cockroaches.
"I know many of you have questions, though I'm only afforded time to answer one. The 5 participants to represent our faction will be as follows; Cassi, Lonni, Derrick, Tom, and myself." Korbin announced, glancing amongst our soldiers staring attentively.
"Before I move on, does ANYONE here protest my personal selection? This will be your only opportunity to speak against my decision." Korbin added sternly. One soldier, a Water Druid from our original 15, raised his hand.
"Yes, Michael?" Korbin asked, pointing toward the warrior.
"I mean no disrespect, General Korbin, but would Captain Phoebe not offer far more ranged fighting capabilities to our faction's representatives?" Michael offered, standing straight with his hands clasped behind his back.
"Captain Phoebe is officially a diplomat for the Jaia Clan, and will therefore not be available for Elysium." Korbin replied.
"My apologies sir." Michael said, stepping back into the crowd of soldiers.
"Don't be, she would've absolutely been a member of our squad otherwise. Unfortunately, the Jaia are too proud to officially discuss vassalization until we've finished their war." Korbin said, a tinge of bitterness in his tone.
"What are we to do while you compete? Where will we go?" One of the soldiers nervously asked from the back.
"That, I'm not sure. I was briefly informed of this event by my Patron, and all I know for sure is time does not work the same here as at home. Rest assured, your families are not left defenseless." Korbin answered, surveying our forces.
"Are there any more questions?" Korbin asked. A brief silence served as his answer before continuing.
"Well, with that settled I'd say all of you should take this time to practice your form. I want all of you to slow spar, no more than 15% speed until the event begins." Korbin instructed, quickly turning heel and walking towards the viewing area. Flashing a head nod to his selected squad, including myself, was all we needed to follow after Korbin, pacing across the wriggling light bridge. The bridge itself was easily over a hundred feet to reach the spiral walkway made entirely of bright white energy circling the center of the massive abyss below.
Countless bodies filed along the light bridges illuminating the air, their paths overlapping above, below, and beside our own. There weren't many giant races, nor any differing from basic humans like us. Though there were a single group of humanoids that looked slightly different, mostly due in part to the fish fins in place of ears. The intertwining light bridges' white hue made it difficult to make out many of their features, though their apparent leader's skin briefly glimmered a green hue as they crossed by us overhead.
"So what exactly is the plan here? Are we trying to make allies, scouting possible threats, or?" Derrick asked.
"Both. There's a few Pylon leaders I've been in brief communications with over messenger birds. With any luck, we'll run into them along this Light Spiral before our times up." Korbin answered over his shoulder.
"Anyone you know by name?" Cassi asked pacing beside Korbin.
"One worth the effort, his name is Aerin." Korbin said, inciting a sense of familiarity for the name. I just can't put my fucking finger on who.
After several minutes, we finally made our way onto the already crowded spiral made entirely of white light. Looking over the edge, the vertical spiral appeared genuinely endless. My eyes wandered over other groups from differing g factions, occasionally using Identify on them as I passed.
[Human (Level 7)]
[Human (Level 5)]
[Human (Level 8)]
…
How the hell are these people still alive?!
A mixture of shock and disappointment overwhelmed my mind scanning over our 'competition'. There'd yet to be a single person here at least level 9, making the difficulty of their Pylon defenses highly questionable. The possibility Korbin had been right all along in saying my Pylon choice for Elysium was a poor one crossed my mind. However, the fact some of these people were only half my level meant we automatically had a massive advantage on most of our competitors.
At least, I initially felt that way, until the all too familiar glimmer of shiny golden hair bouncing in the air.
[Human (level 13)]
"Korbin! What an absolutely unpleasant surprise to run into you here?!" Brigid snickered sarcastically, strolling up to us with a rather eclectic posse. The first of which I noticed was an absolute monster of a human, standing easily over 7 feet. The man's muscles looked to put a strain on the chainmail armor fit tightly to his arms, his chest and legs adorning thick black heavy armor. His face was completely concealed other than a thin slit for his eyes by a thick black helmet, with two long curving horns jutting out from either temple. A thick animal pelt served as a cape attached to the backside of his chest piece.
"Brigid. How absolutely on-brand of you to bother me right now. What do you want?" Korbin asked, impatiently. He spoke with a level of familiarity that frankly, made absolutely zero sense considering I haven't seen her since the Placement Tournaments final 5 when she beat Korbin for first place.
"Don't flatter yourself, I've yet to intentionally see your ratty face." Brigid shot back through a look of disgust. A woman with long wavy red hair stepped behind her, wearing a cloth top that split open at her stomach and a bloodstained cloth sashed across her chest. Boots scaled up her sun-kissed legs past her knees, and crimson red gloves with strings rapping up her forearm. She stepped forward, circling me with her fingers dancing on my shoulders.
"Brigid, you didn't tell me you had snacks waiting for us here." She said in a sultry tone, stepping fully around me before moving on to Lonni.
"Nor did you mention a full course." She added, stopping and looking Lonni up and down. Poor Lonni just stared pleadingly at Cassi, who was practically glaring a hole in the back of the rather provocative red headed woman's head.
"Easy, Serena. You'll have your fill soon enough." Brigid said sternly. Serena spun on her toes, lifting a knee up as she giggled away. She flashed a toothy smile at me, revealing unnaturally long canines.
"See you soon, sparky." She snickered innocently with a wink. I couldn't help but wear my confusion.
'Sparky'?
"What's the matter, Tom? I take it your infallible leader here truly has kept his people in the d-" Korbin quickly stepped into Brigid's face, putting everyone on edge as I hovered over my Twinblade's sheaths release buttons. The oversized tank of a man behind Brigid fully brandished two full-sized greatswords from his back, holding them as casually as I would a pair of daggers.
"Relax, Vinny. We can't harm each other here, fortunately for them." Brigid snickered, glancing over our squad. It was odd, seeing such a beautiful face look so appallingly smug.
"We'll be seeing you soon enough." Korbin said, pushing past Brigid only to be stopped at Vinny's jagged metallic towering figure. Korbin stared intently through the slits of Vinny's horned helmet for a solid 6 seconds without motion. Vinny then wordlessly nodded, stepping to the side. I kept my eyes trained on the giant mass of steel as I passed by, not seeing Brigid as she whispered into my ear.
"Liars."
After Derrick finally shuffled past Brigid and her goons, the rest of us redirected our attention back towards heading lower down the light spiral. I caught up with Korbin, who had quickened his pace.
"Hey, you notice she only has a party of 3?" I said, trying to block out the clear mind games she was playing. I'd had my fair share of run ins with the manipulatively inclined, and the entire encounter reeked of performative bullshit.
"Yeah, she must not have a lot of friends wherever the fuck she is on earth." Korbin replied quietly. Cassi jogged up to the other side of Korbin.
"Exactly how do you two know that woman?! She's a higher level than all of us." Cassi pointed out.
"The Tournament. She's the one who be-" my words were cut short but Korbin's wife-eyed angry glare.
"…she's who won the Placement Tournament." I continued, making an effort to spare Korbin's pride.
"Doesn't seem like her friends were slouches either, they're both level 10." Derrick added. In hindsight, I probably should've run an Identify by them as well, maybe even develop a much needed habit of using the skill.
"Last I checked I left you with Tom to face opponents both far stronger than yourself and in greater numbers when we Sieged King Nathaniel's settlement. Levels aren't everything." Korbin quickly replied, his eyes darting from person to person as they passed by.
"Is that why you're Identifying everybody?" I snickered through a smile.
"The bane of all rules are their exceptions." Korbin replied with a toothy grin. Seeing Cassi and Derrick follow suit, I figured I could assist in our search for allies as well. Fortunately it didn't take long for Korbin to find another notably strong group, albeit a rambunctious squad.
"Excuse me?" Korbin said, extending his arm forward for a handshake towards a gruff middle aged man, wearing studded leather armor with a large collared buttoned overcoat, as well as a black captain's hat with a white feather tucked into the ocean blue band wrapped at the base of its crown. His long brown hair fell out the back of his hat, falling below his shoulders.
"I know you!! Look here fellas, it's 'The Chosen of Beloris' in the flesh!" The long bearded man proclaimed to his posse of men and one woman, all wearing baggy white long-sleeves under black and blue studded light armor. All of them had a sword at their hips, though the woman had an extra on her side.
"That would be me, though it shames me to say I'm unfamiliar with someone of your stature, sir…?" Korbin said through squinted eyes. I quickly used Identify to figure out exactly what Korbin meant by 'stature'.
[Human (Level 10)]
"The name's Edward! But my crew calls me Captain Eddy. It's a pleasure to meet one of Hells most regal Devils' chosen!" Edward said, still vigorously shaking Korbin's hand. Korbin placed his other palm atop their violently enthusiastic shake, halting it in place as he gently wormed his hand free.
"The pleasure is truly mine, dear friend. I hate to be so terribly pointed, however we are all pressed on time. I have a proposition for you and your crew." Korbin offered, affably.
"I'm listenin'." Captain Eddy answered, his yellowed teeth glowing through his thick beard and mustache. I glanced over his crew of 4, and I could see why Korbin was interested in these people.
[Human (Level 8)]
[Human (Level 9)]
[Human (Level 8)]
[Human (Level 8)]
Honestly not bad at all.
"Well, there's little telling where any of us will be, or if our paths will cross. That being said, should either of us encounter the other in need, I see no reason why we shouldn't assist one another. In exchange, Elysium would be more than welcoming to a party of warriors such as yourselves." Korbin offered with a grin.
"Elysium, that is your faction?" Captain Eddy said, rubbing his long scraggly beard. Korbin nodded, to which Eddy turned to face his crew. They all smiled, looking us up and down.
"Alright. How do you suppose we contact you after the event ends? I've only heard of you. Not unless you're avoiding the waters." Eddy exclaimed with a hardy chuckle.
"I assure you, we're not." I butted in, trying my best to maintain a welcoming smile. Eddy narrowed his eyes while smiling at me, giving a subtle nod.
"I believe it. I see the love for the sea in your eye, boy. All the same, we can't agree to the deal if we can't find you." Eddy said in a far more serious voice. Suddenly, his eyes began scanning the air, as if he was literally reading the room.
"What you see now is an Infernal Contract. Through this agreement, both parties will agree to assist one another barring direct forced opposition or breaking of said agreement. Upon the conclusion of the Quarterly Event, you will be provided coordinates and notifications every 5 miles traversed until you reach Elysium. From there, we will renegotiate new terms for our alliance, when we have more time to iron out details. What do you say, Captain?" Korbin offered, speaking at paces comparable to the terms and conditions at the end of TV ads. Eddy continued bobbing his head affirmatively, apparently scanning over the contract himself.
"…alright. I like these terms, though I do ask that you add one more detail to this one." Eddy said, squinting one eye at Korbin.
"And what is your request?" Korbin asked. Captain Eddy laughed hardly, lifting his head to the heavens as he chuckled before settling back down.
"We haven't a faction, nor any more assistance from my Patron than we would from each other. There's one thing keeping us going, and it's the same thing holding us and our beautiful Vessel behind-" Eddy leaned in closer to Korbin, hunching his neck slightly having been a few inches taller.
"…Tutorial Points."