Black_Paladyn
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ROA: Ch 4 New Discoveries
🕑 Added 2021-07-01 17:42:05 +0000 UTCAnnabelle sighed as she tried to get comfortable against the tree she was sleeping in. Looking above her, Annabelle saw that Thane was already sleeping as if it was natural for him to be sleeping on a mattress with a pillow.
It was their third day of sleeping in trees, and she was already growing tired of it. So far, they hadn't encountered anything, which included monsters and any traces of humanity.
Sighing, Annabelle finally found a way to keep her spine aligned, and she was able to fall asleep eventually, 'At least I get to see the stars.'
In the morning, Thane was the first to wake up as always. Climbing back to the ground, he started stretching, "I didn't think I would ever have to sleep in a tree again, but here we are."
Thane was debating whether or not to wake Annabelle up when he heard the faint sound of running water. Smiling, he threw off his backpack and quickly drew an arrow in the dirt pointing where Thane thought the water would be.
After a bit of running, Thane came to a small waterfall that fed into a pond. Looking around, Thane couldn't see any signs of immediate danger, so he quickly stripped, putting his knives and gun on top of the pile before he dove into the water.
The cool fresh water washed over Thane, immediately reviving. It had been almost a week since he took a shower. Running his fingers through his hair, Thane rinsed out the tiny particles of dirt and other debris.
Once he was dry, Thane swam back to his clothes and quickly washed them in the pond before hanging them on a tree to dry. Not ready to leave, Thane dove his inhuman strength allowing him to cut through the water and reach the bottom of the lake.
Instead of mudstone, a variety of plants covered the ground, and Thane let his fingers brush against their leaves. Simply enjoying himself, Thane explored the alien world and was about to come up for air when he saw something reflecting the light hidden in the weeds.
Swimming up to the surface, Thane gasped, taking in a large breath before diving back down to investigate what had caught his eye.
Finding the spark again, Thane dove towards it and pushed aside the weeds to reveal a human hand sticking out of the water. The thing that was sparkling was actually a silver band on the skeleton's finger.
Grabbing the ring, Thane was able to pry it off before swimming back to the surface. Treading water, he saw that there was a line of inscription on the band. Trying to put it on his finger Thane realized it was a bit too big, and he was about to take it off when the band shrunk to fit his finger perfectly.
[Notice: Start]
You have found: Storage Ring
Quality: Rare
Durability: 50/100
Effects: Inscribed with a storage rune, the bonded wearer of this ring can access the 10 square foot space inside. Only nonliving things can be put into the storage, and items stay in stasis until taken out by the owner.
Would you like to bond to Storage Ring: Y/N
[Notice: End]
Thane quickly chose to bond to the ring, and when he did so, he felt the ring grow warmer just for a second before it cooled down. Before swimming back to the shore, Thane dived down again and started to unearth the rest of the skeleton in hopes of finding something.
But he couldn't wind the lottery twice. All he uncovered was a yellowed skeleton battered from age. Swimming back to shore, Thane put on his somewhat dry clothing and equipped his weapons.
Running back to Annabelle, Thane climbed up the tree, "Annabelle, wake up. I found something." Grumbling, she tried to turn her back to Thane but almost rolled off her branch as a result.
Grabbing her, Thane carried her under his arm and dropped back to the ground. Waking up due to all the movement, Annabelle blushed when she saw how close Thane was, "Did I fall off the tree again?"
Thane let her stand on her own, "Almost though it is kind of my fault." Annabelle yawned and stretched when she noticed Thane's damp clothes, "What happened? Did it rain?"
"I went for a swim. I found a lake nearby." Annabelle scratched at the caked-up dirt on her hands, "That's what you wanted to wake me up for?" Thane shook his head and started to fidget with his ring finger, "Look at what I found in the lake."
Thane watched as Annabelle's eyes glazed over as she read the notification, "There was a human skeleton at the bottom of the lake. It must have been there for a year at least. It was covered in dirt."
Annabelle looked up from the ring, "That's great. There must be a settlement nearby. Have you checked to see if anything was inside the ring?"
Thane cleared his throat and averted his gaze, "No, I guess the thought didn't cross my mind." Annabelle was too excited to criticize Thane, and she quickly handed the ring back to him, "Well, hurry already."
Nodding, Thane quickly put the ring back on and thought, 'dump inventory.' The inscription on the ring glowed before three items appeared in front of Thane. A leather pouch, a bottle filled with red fluid, and a weathered paper scroll.
Picking up the leather pouch first, Annabelle pulled on the drawstring to reveal a hand full of silver and gold coins. Taking one, Annabelle ran it between her fingers, "It feels real. This is even better news. A form of currency, and since it's made out of precious metals, we must be dealing with a medieval level society. Damn, we should have brought the salt. I bet that pound you have is even more valuable than what's in the purse."
Thane chuckled, "You're passionate about history, aren't you?" Annabelle blushed, "Sorry, I tend to get a bit lost when it comes to these kinds of things."
"No need to apologize. I think it's kind of cute." Annabelle blushed even harder, and Thane tried not to laugh, "Sorry, I tend to tease my friends or, well, the ones I used to have. Anyways let's see what else we have."
Thane grabbed the potion, and a screen popped up.
[Notice: Start]
You have found: Healing Potion x1
Quality: Uncommon
Durability: 1/1
Effects: After consuming this potion will heal 200 health over the next 5 minutes.
[Notice: End]
Thane passed the potion to Annabelle for her to inspect while he looked over the weathered scroll.
[Notice: Start]
You have found: Technique Scroll-(Talisman Creation)
Quality: Epic
Durability: 5/10
Effects: Using this scroll will grant the user the technique Talisman Creation(Mortal Grade). Warning due to the scroll being at half durability, the chance of success is reduced by 25%.
Would you like to use Technique Scroll-(Talisman Creation): Y/N
[Notice: End]
Thane smiled when he saw the description and was tempted to use it on himself when he glace at Annabelle from the corner of his eye, "Here it's all yours."
He handed the scroll to Annabelle, who looked at it initially before looking back at him, "Are you sure? You did find the ring after all and..." Thane stopped her by holding up his hand, "Yes, I'm sure besides, I have you to thank for saving my life, also. Don't tell anyone, but I have horrible handwriting."
Annabelle giggled before she grabbed the scrolled and used it. In her hands, the paper turned to dust, leaving behind several lines of floating text. The words then formed a line and flew into Annabelle's forehead, sinking into her skin.
Gasping, Annabelle felt her mind expanded as new knowledge settled into place.
[Notice: Start]
Technique Gained: Talisman Creation(Mortal Grade)- With your knowledge, you will prove that the pen is mightier than the sword. Imbue words with mana to give them power that would make even the strongest of foes quake.
[Notice: End]
"Well, the verdict?" Thane asked, looking at Annabelle in anticipation. Shaking her head, Annabelle hissed in pain, "It worked, but I have a headache now. Also, I don't think I'm going to be able to use my new ability."
"Why do you think that?" Annabelle slapped her cheeks in an effort to shake off the last of the haze, "The description said I needed to imbue my writing with mana, but I don't have any mana."
Thane sighed, "They weren't kidding. Everything has a price. I just wonder what will happen if we can't pay." Annabelle didn't respond as they both thought about what the future held in store for them.
"Where's the lake I want to go wash up?" Thane coughed, "Through those trees, I'll give you your privacy, but if you don't return in ten minutes, I'm going to check in on you." Annabelle was a little taken aback, but she nodded nevertheless.
"I'll be quick." Annabelle got up and left Thane, already starting to lift up her shirt in anticipation of being able to wash away nearly a week's worth of grime and sweat.
True to her word, Annabelle was back in ten minutes, her clothes still wet. Thane had already packed up their gear leaving the bandolier of grenades for Annabelle to take.
"You ready to go?" Annabelle nodded, "I don't think a lone person would wander out into the forest. There has to be a village nearby; I can feel it."
He smiled at her optimism, "Maybe this will be the last night we sleep in a tree."
---
After walking for most of the day, Thane observed so very noticeable change in the landscape. The trees started to become thinner and more distant. There were also trails in the grass, where people had walked before.
Following the trail back, they eventually stumbled onto a road with grey bricks. Annabelle and Thane shared an exciting look before they both started to run their feet, stomping against the stone.
It wasn't long before the treeline broke, revealing tall stone walls with armored guards walking on top. Thane could spot ballista mounted on top as well, and he turned to smiled at Annabelle, "It looks like you were right about that medieval thing."
Annabella crossed her arm, "Of course I was. I can't believe you doubted me." Thane didn't respond as they drew closer to the front gates.
Two guards in metal armor stood in front of gates, and one of them stepped forward as they approached, "Halt, no one is allowed entrance into the city after curfew."
Annabella opened her mouth to argue when the second guard stepped forward, "Wait a minute Jacob, look at their clothes." The first guard narrowed his eyes to get a better look before they opened in shock, "A-Ascenders, b-but b-but.."
The first guard smacked Jacob on the back of his helmet, "Get a hold of yourself. They're a human just like us." Jacob turned around to the second guard, "But Corbin, haven't you heard the stories?"
Corbin snorted, "You mean the bedtime tales mothers tell their kids, so they don't leave at night. Do you even hear yourself? Stay here. I'm going to take these two to the captain. That is if they still want to get inside the city?"
Thane smiled, "It would be a shame to come this far and do nothing." Corbin chuckled, "See Jacob, human just like us."
