We drove for around 8 hours, stopping for meals, and to tend to Kaelen's injuries. However with the combined added weight, and the trail that got a bit more treacherous made us slow down. Even as we were setting up camp for the night on top of a small rocky hill we could see in the distance a glow that came from Coalhill. Setting up camp, I tended to Kaelen as the others worked to set everything up. However, as they were I noticed something. Afimaril seemed to be looking at me and Selene with a worried look on her face, like she was trying to give a silent warning. While a part of me wanted to pretend I didn't know why, the words Ymer had said were echoing in my mind.
"You didn't tell them, no wonder they trust you so much."
Selene had gone pale, and while Kaelen was waking up, he didn't seem to have heard what was said or at least wasn't acknowledging it, however Afimaril and I had been very much awake, and heard every word. As everyone worked to set up, gather wood for a fire, or more I saw Afimaril moving closer and closer under the guise of setting up.
"Aiden, we need to talk."
She said, glancing back at Selene. I turned from where I was changing Kaelen's bandages.
"Is it urgent?"
"Not imminently, but it's something you need to know."
"Then it can wait until tonight, I'll take the first watch with you, and we can talk then."
Afimaril seemed still on edge but nodded before turning back to the camp.
"What was that about?"
Kaelen asked, trying to rub at his stump before I swatted his hand away.
"Something Ymer said trying to mess with us in the fight sank in for her. It's nothing bad, much less important. I'll talk with her about it tonight."
Kaelen nodded at this, but I heard a chuckle from Will.
"So quick to lie your ass off, what changed?"
I was silent for a moment, trying to think of why I chose to Lie for Selene without a second thought. Maybe it was the fact that she was a patient I was treating, or maybe it was because of her shyness and timidity, but the real reason sat in my chest. In the fight with Ymer she had turned to me for what to do. It was a level of trust that made me want to return that trust with my own. It's why I chose to try to forget what Ymer said, but I could understand why Afimaril was worried. However I knew Selene, she was not someone who would do the things that Ymer did.
As we gathered around the campfire for the night Straun played a rather beautiful song on his flute as the fire crackled and we ate dinner. However, Afimaril was meeting my eyes over the fire, and I knew that she was too worried to have a good night's sleep. I took the first shift and as I turned to the others.
"We generally take 3 shifts, so let's do two from our group, and a member of the other group, so how about Afimaril and Selene stay up with me on the first shift."
Selene seemed surprised as Afimaril paled a bit, but I gave her a look hoping she got the message that she should trust me on this.
Everyone started to go to sleep for the night, as I sat with Selene and Afimaril. Selene sat with a pale look on her face, no doubt she had seen Afimaril's looks and knew what this was about, while Afimaril seemed tense and on edge, practically ready to leap away if needed. We sat for a good 20 minutes to make sure everyone else was asleep before I looked up at the two.
"Afimaril, you said you wanted to talk to me, and I assume we all know what you are worried about."
Selene was staring into the fire, a look of growing despair on her face as Afimaril turned to me.
"I think that Selene is an Other class, just like Ymer, and you need to know that they are dangerous."
"I'm aware that Selene is dangerous, just a few days ago she ripped a Blood Trent's arm off, it's very helpful."
"No, I mean…. Let me start over, what do you know about the classes?"
I took a moment to think before I said.
"Well, everyone gains their class at the age of 10, and classes can have a variety of energy's that come from parts of the Aether in the air around us, and they are generally classed in categories, but I only remember Melee, ranged, and production."
Afimaril opened her mouth to speak, but Selene spoke up.
"T-there are generally agreed on 6 types of classes. M-Melee are the physical frontline fighters with classes like Pulgist. Ranged that use attacks from afar and magics, like Liora. Support is able to heal and support allies like Kaelen. Mixed classes are able to a bit from melee, ranged and support. Control is able to control minions or other things in a fight, like Thalia when she moves enemies around. Lastly production like you."
I turned to Selene who had a look like someone who got caught and now was waiting for the inevitable shouting.
"In actuality there is a 7th type, the Other classification. They are considered dangerous just by being around. Hell, if not for the Red Accords, they would be a kill or capture on sight."
I nodded along until the end when I heard something called the Red Accords, as Will and I turned and asked.
"What's the Red Accords?"
Both Selene and Afimaril looked at me with a moment of surprise as Selene shook her head.
"I-It's a whole thing, b-but it's basically a pact made between a VERY very powerful individual and the governments that they can't go on witch hunts to kill people of the other class."
"What does that even mean, a very very powerful individual?"
Will asked in my head but ignored him and turned to Afimaril.
"We're getting off topic, why are the other classes hunted down?"
Afimaril took a moment to look at Selene before she turned back, a serious look on her face.
"There are 11 known classes in the other category. Zealot, Werewolf, Vampire, Oracle, Jester, Gambler, Plague, Psionic, Homunculus, Experiment, and Mutant."
I blinked at Afimaril for a moment before I said.
"Huh, guess I know more than one friend who is an Other class then."
Selene and Afimaril turned to me with a bewildered look as I turned back to Selene.
"Why are you surprised, we ate at the Seared Tusk several times, Eustus is a Psionic. So, what exactly makes these classes so dangerous?"
My worry from before was now replaced with an amount of skepticism.
"There are classes like Jester and Experiment that drive themselves insane to use their abilities!"
Afimaril said jumping up as she spoke and drawing her blades while standing on guard as if she expected Selene to strike her as she spoke. We both sat unmoving as I asked.
"And?"
Afimaril gave me an exasperated look.
"Experiments are able to graft parts of monsters onto themselves, in case you haven't noticed, Selene's arm isn't exactly human!"
At this point others at camp were starting to stir from the noise.
"U-um, I'm not an experiment. My class is mutant."
There was a moment of awkward stillness Afimaril just blinked at Selene for a minute as I asked.
"Were you worried because you thought Selene was an experiment? I can attest that I have seen her system screen."
Selene brought up her screen and spun it around so Afimaril could see it.
Selene "Morphclaw" Drakemire
Age: 18
Race: Human
Class: Mutant - LV. 8
XP: 15,700/19,000
HP: 41/41
Mutation: 71/71
Stats:
Strength: 31
Dexterity: 3
Constitution: 20
Intelligence: 2
Wisdom: 21
Charisma: 4
Soul Skill:
Chimeric Surge (C)
50 Mutation
Your mutated arm can channel an overwhelming surge of energy, amplifying your strength and granting additional functionality temporarily. When activated, your arm grows larger, sprouting bio-organic enhancements like tendrils or plating, allowing you to perform feats of extraordinary strength for 10 seconds. Afterward, you feel drained and tired.
Skills:
Evolved Form (E)
Passive
Your body has adapted and twisted in ways that make shape-changing effects difficult. You have advantage on saves against shape-changing effects and any that affect your physical form. Effects that do succeed last half as long on you. This skill provides passive resistance to external attempts to alter your body.
Mutate (E)
10 Mutation
You can push a part of your body to act beyond its normal capabilities, granting enhancements like elongated limbs, strengthened muscles, or hardened skin. Once mutated, the effect is permanent until replaced with a different mutation. Mutations provide specific stat boosts or unique abilities based on the mutation's nature.
Hidden Monstrosity (E)
25 Mutation
Your mutations can be concealed at will, allowing you to appear normal until you activate specific abilities. Passive mutations remain hidden, but active ones will temporarily reveal your monstrous traits. This skill allows mutants to blend in with society while still wielding their powers.
Claws of the Beast (E)
15 Mutation
Grow razor-sharp claws on your hands, dealing 2d6 slashing damage on unarmed strikes. This skill provides an offensive mutation, turning your hands into natural weapons.
Hemoclash Surge (E)
25 Mutation
Your blood becomes aggressive and enhances your next strike by attacking the blood of those you strike. Enemies have their healing reduced
Flaw:
Aetheric Expulsion Syndrome (AES)(B)
passive
Your body constantly releases small amounts of raw magical energy, making it difficult to suppress your abilities or skills.
Afimaril inched over still on edge until she got close enough to read Selene's system screen before she sheathed her swords, and crosser her arms, giving Selene a confused look.
"Ok, then why didn't you fix your friend's arm?"
It was now Selene and my turn to give Afimaril a confused look as we both said.
"I-I/she can do that?"
Every class has a hidden benefits and flaws the system screen doesn't tell you, what did you decide to become adventurers without doing even a bit of research.
Selene and I refused to meet Afimaril's eyes as I could practically feel her eye twitch as it looked at me as I could Hear Will in my head rolling as he laughed, my face going beat red.
"Guess you know how it feels to be on the other end of that look now!"