Elves' Camp

Dawn appeared as birds began chirping once again in the forest. Kiren was the first to wake. "Vars, come on. We have to make it back to camp." Derek immediately shot up. He wasn't able to sleep at all. Even though he was exhausted, he had spent the night learning about his reincarnation. There was a lot more to the world than he anticipated. He had dreamt about a great war, with fearsome warriors of varying calibers battling to the death, each with their own set of unique skills.

[Class Introductions. There are five primary classes that revolve around the land of Aeras: Paragon, Mystic, Runeknight, Shadowdancer, and Diabolist. Each specializes in different areas of power.

The Paragon specializes in defense, enmity, and protection.

The Mystic specializes in long-range magical attacks and movement impairment.

The Runeknight specializes in self-enhancement and debuffs.

The Shadowdancer specializes in stealth, quickness, as well as physical ranged attacks.

The Diabolist specializes in explosives and summonings.

Class unlocks are available after the breakthrough of Tier 9 Ensign.]

That seemed like everything, but then Z.E.D. seemingly rebooted and begin speaking in a raspier, hollow voice.

[Phenomena Class and Race: Demon Angel.]

[Demon Angels specializes in holy and hell-like powers granted from above and below.]

* Race History Hidden Objective Completed: Use a Demon Angel's ability. Archive Updated. *

Hmmm, Derek thought. This was probably due to Shadow Descent, the ability he used against the beasts earlier on.

"Access Archive: Race History - Demon Angel."

* Archive Accessed. *

[The presence of a Demon Angel is seen once every few thousand years. A Demon Angel can only be birthed if the ultimate sin is committed: A forbidden affair with a demon and an angel. This race has been extinct and reborn constantly for millennia as a result of a demon and an angel's forbidden love with each other.

Each time a demon angel is born, magical phenomena would occur. Kingdoms, demons, angels, and gods wage war with each other to acquire the powers of the demon angel. It is said that these beings have the power to destroy both angels, demons and the power to become rulers of both heaven and hell.]

Derek reasoned that that was Vars' being for existence, and now, as a result of the race's revival, this phenomenon has occurred. Derek spent the night arranging his archives and piecing together what Kiren said the day before. The words Anarchy and a certain prophecy of an Armageddon meant nothing initially, but now all made perfect sense. This was all certainly correlated with Vars' recent bringing into adulthood.

When a demonic angel reaches maturity, strange phenomena begin happening all across the land of Aeras. This prophecy of Anarchy was no different. Derek still didn't know what exactly the Anarchy was, but at least he knew it was a result of him. He wanted to tell Kiren, but he didn't know if he could trust her. Derek would keep it to himself for now.

Derek and Kiren finally stand up and begin trekking towards the camp, all while these thoughts swirl in Derek's head.

When they arrive, they are greeted by welcoming faces.

* Elven Outpost: Raak Discovered. *

"Ah, Kiren, it's great to see you back!"

"...and oh? I see that you've brought a friend back too." An elderly man rises up from a splintered log and walks towards them. "A handsome one, at that." The stranger gave a cheeky wink.

"Elder Mirek..." Annoyed, she took off her hunting gear and walked over to a small fountain to refill her water canteen. "I found him bleeding from his hip at the border of the Faras Forest. He was running away from some dwarven guards." Derek let out a bleak smile. "I'll be back soon, why don't you get accustomed to this place?"

Kiren went to greet the other people from the camp while Derek stood in front of the old man. Mirek motioned at him to come closer. "Boy. What brings you to the border? It's been tens of years since I've seen someone run away from those loathsome dwarves! Perhaps you were drawn to their coin as well?"

* Name: Elder Mirek, Class Rank: Tier 8 Mystic Sentinel. *

"Well... ever since the prophecy, thieves and crooks have been running around stealing from homes unscathed, so I thought I would try my luck against the dwarves..." Derek scratched his head, trying to look he made an innocent mistake. He would have to keep up Vars' image and play along for a while.

His charade played off as Mirek roared in laughter, tears welling up in his eyes. "Young man, the only thing the dwarves care IS their coin! Security's probably got tighter since the incident three days ago! Out of all the places, you chose the dwarves' stronghold? My friend, you have a long way to go."

Mirek continued to chuckle hysterically as Derek continued to pull the facade. Kiren comes walking over.

"Elder Mirek! Stop pestering Vars. Hey, get over here. I'd like you to meet some of the other guys." Derek and Kiren walked over to a fireplace where a couple of elves were gathered around drinking some ale.

"These are all hunters, just like me. We all settle camp on the outskirts of the kingdom every couple of weeks and hunt game to sell to the butcher's shop. It's a good thing this forest has many types of wildlife, 'else we would've been bored a long time ago."

Kiren motioned at the elves sitting around the fireplace. "Guys, the newcomer's here!"

A couple of them waved back. Most of the crowd was either too drunk or we talking to other people. "Don't mind them, it's always like this. You'll get to know them betters in the morning when they aren't drinking [Skal's Ale], one of the dwarven's finest. It's one of the strongest beverages out there, you're guaranteed to have a great time."

One of the elves approached them, almost tripping over themselves, and let out a loud burp.

"Sayeeee, half-bludd, come're and avee ey drinkkk wit uthhh!" This elf was barely comprehensible, but he looked he meant well. Even elves sounded like dwarves when they were drunk. Most of the time, they were uptight and sophisticated, but a few swigs of some good ol' ale really does a number on them.

Derek awkwardly scooted over to sit down with the bunch. This was the first time in a long time since he's made new friends. Derek was pretty much a nobody back in highschool, and usually kept to himself.

"... The name's Vars. Nice to me--"

Derek abruptly stops mid-sentence as a looming shadow appeared behind him.

"Newcomer, huh? You must be one of the descendants of those intolerable half-bloods. Disgusting mutants that roam the savannas with manners of a vulture." 

Derek turned around. A tall dark figure emerged from a tent with a look of loathing. "Who is this peasant you have brought? He certainly doesn't look like he can be sold for a lot." He spat on the ground towards Derek. "Lady Kiren?"

Derek glared wildly at Kiren. Who was this foul-mouthed elf and what did he have against him? He never even let out a word of malice and was barraged by an elf who clearly thought he was the leader of the group.

* Analyzing... *

* Name: Regis Swiftwind. Class Rank: Tier 7 Mystic Bishop *

[Sire, it would seem that our data indicates that this elf holds disdain towards mixed races. Despite Geros boasting the most diverse community, there are still a select few that only answer to other elves and are accustomed to other races being lower than them, especially mixed races. He is also of a significantly higher level than you. Rank difference advises against getting into a fight with him.]

Derek was absolutely fuming but reasoned with himself. Even though a kingdom can tolerate the unity of all races doesn't mean the people will. In his old world, you have people who disagree with the state and typically have societies dedicated to their beliefs. Here is no different. He would learn about the politics of Aeras later.

Derek still hoped to keep his facade up. Having Z.E.D. was a huge advantage that he didn't want other people finding out. Most importantly, he wasn't strong enough to get in a fight with a Tier 3 Bishop. It would be tougher than taking down two Tigressi, equivalent to mid-tier Regents.

"Tell more, who are you? A half-human inbred? I have never seen the likes of someone like you before."

"Excuse me, I don't know who you are, but I'm not trying to get on anybody's bad side here. I was on my way to the Geros Kingdom and happened across Kiren in the forest." Derek may have altered his story on how he met Kiren.

Kiren was about to correct Derek but thought against it. After all, he did help her fight the Tigressi and, to be honest, she didn't like Regis either. Telling the elf would only bring more trouble. "We were on our way back to the kingdom but got held up by some Tigressi. We're just here to stock up for the trip home." Regis wasn't a man of patience and things would go downhill if she let Vars stay at the camp.

Regis raised his head and turned back to his tent as if he had no time for the matter. "Lady Kiren, why do you always find yourself with such insolent people? We elves are of a superior race; all other races are lowly and should not be reasoned with. As a member of the Agenda, I am disappointed that you have acquainted yourself with such... trash."

* "Agenda" Archive Discovered. *

[The Agenda is a society of anti-race elves who follow the passion of the Panthos kingdom.]

Kiren gritted her teeth. Inside her head, she wanted to bash this arrogant bastard in, but even she faltered at the strength of a high member of the Agenda. It would end up in embarrassment and even worse, resignation from this camp's hunting squad.

"Vars, let's go. Seems like we aren't wanted here." Kiren grabbed her bags and went to drag Derek out of the camp.

Derek was seething but decided to get back at the elf later. They would definitely see each other in the future, and Derek would definitely be stronger.

Derek turned to Kiren. "We're going to get this guy."