Symbiotic: Chapter 42

Chapter 42

Sara sat back on her heels, the Greatworm egg glowing faintly in its cocoon of spores. Her chest rose and fell with exhaustion, but there was a steadiness in her eyes now. She looked across the lake to Whistle, who had watched her struggle and endure without a word, his hawk perched calmly on his arm.

“Thank you,” Sara said, voice hoarse but sincere. “For guiding me through this. I don’t know if I’d have found the spark without your help.” She hesitated, then added, “Is there anything I can do for you, or for Sarah, in return?”

Whistle tilted his head, his expression unreadable. He gave a short whistle, and Sarah answered with a piercing cry, wings flaring before settling again. He scratched the hawk’s neck absently, considering.

“You’ve already done something,” he said at last. “You listened. Most people come to me wanting shortcuts, tricks to turn an animal into a slave. You didn’t. You listened. You learned. You fought through it when it became obvious there was hard work ahead. That’s worth more than coin.”

Sara frowned slightly, unsure if that was dismissal or praise. “Still,” she pressed, “I’d like to repay you somehow.”

Whistle chuckled, low and rough. “If you want to repay me, then make sure Haven Valley stands. I don’t care for politics, or contracts, or coin. But this place…” He gestured with his free hand toward the golden fields beyond the lake. “It’s worth protecting. If your Greatworm bond helps keep it safe, that’s all the return I need. And if your Greatwom there is a danger, not a boon. Then it'll on you to end the danger. Understood?”

Sarah screeched again, sharper this time, and Whistle gave another whistle in reply. “As for her,” he added, “she doesn’t ask for much. Fish, flight, and the occasional fight. If you want to do something for her, bring her a challenge worth her wings.”

Sara, frowning at Whistle's reminder of the uncertain risk of Bonding, smiled faintly at his request on Sarah's behalf. Brushing her hand over the egg’s surface, she nodded, and bowed the Sarah as well. “I think I can manage that, Sarah of the Skies.”

Whistle leaned back, scooping up his forgotten pole and got back to his fishing, his hawk’s eyes still fixed on Sara. “Then we’re square. You’ve got your start. Now it’s up to you to see it through.”

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Sara strode back into town, the Greatworm Egg tucked firmly under her arm, spores drifting in a faint protective haze around it as she continued to feed it her Soul energy. The streets bustled with evening life, Market Square traders starting the process of closing stalls, children darting between carts, and the smell of roasting meats drifting from the tavern.

Inside the tavern, she asked after her Dungeon Running friends. Ned, the barkeep, polishing a mug, gave her a nod. “The Foreshadows? Aye. They came back from the Dungeon earlier. Ate their fill, then headed to Market Square to sell off their loot before close.”

Sara thanked him and turned back around toward Market Square, she’d just passed by.

Market Square was alive with late afternoon noise of last minute shoppers. Lanterns swung from posts, merchants and villagers bartering in friendly competition. In the center of it all, she spotted them, the Foreshadows, gathered around a table piled high with crystals, monster parts, and odd bits of loot. Laughter rang out as they divided their earnings, mugs raised in celebration.

Sara lifted her voice, regal and playful. “Do my eyes deceive me? If it isn’t the famous Foreshadows!”

Heads turned, her friends grinning wide as she swept into their circle. She laughed, dropping the mock formality for her usual tone. “I’m glad I found you. Could I bend your ear for a bit? Food is on me!”

The group erupted in cheers at that, one of them thumping the table hard enough to rattle the coins. Another leaned back with a grin. “Now that’s the kind of offer we don’t turn down. Actually, we were wanting to see about speaking with you as well!”

Sara smiled, holding the egg carefully at her side, its glow faint beneath the spores. Tonight wasn’t just about food or celebration, she had a proposal to make, one that could shape the Valley’s defense and the future of everyone gathered here.

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Once they were sat at their corner table and the food was before them, Sara offered to go first to let the others eat while she made her proposal. “First things first. I believe I’m correct that you all plan on staying in the valley a bit while you work towards defeating the Dungeon? Is that a fair statement?”

They looked back and forth to each other and nodded, mouths focused on their food, but their eyes and ears focused on Sara, wondering where this was going.

“In that case. I have a proposal to make.”, she started, taking a quick gulp of ale before continuing. Proposals and contracts really were not her thing. Especially verbally. Write a solid RFP for research funding, Sure. Give her some alone time and a goal and she could build a funding request with the best of them. But sitting here trying to come up with the right words to say to get what she wanted. What the valley needed. ‘Ok. Sara. Nike this crap.’

“I need to leave the Valley. To travel. To secure alliances and to grow stronger. No,”, she raised a hand as she saw ever wary Kaelith begin to ask. “No, I’m not asking you to join me. Quite the opposite in fact. I’m asking you to stay. I’m asking you to continue doing what you are doing. Diving into the Dungeon, growing stronger, building your resources.”

“But I’m also asking you to help.” She paused, took another swig of ale. “I want to ask you to agree to a Defense contract. To agree to stay in the Valley for a length of time. 6 months? A year? And to agree to continue doing as you are doing, but also to sign a contract to assist in the defense of the Valley if called upon in my absence. And to agree to bring no harm, cause no violence, and pass no information to any outside these walls about what you see and learn here.”

“In return for this, you will have three things I can offer. First. Your choice of equipment to match the Fungal greatsword Braska has been using so effectively. Second. One each of Body, Mind, & Soul Rejuvenation potions like Kaelith has already sampled, and 30% off of additionals you require that we have in stock to sell. And, lastly, a favor from me personally, that your group can call upon if you are ever in need. IF word can reach me, I will come!”

Sara paused, chugging the rest of her mug of ale and waiting for an answer. Was she an idiot? Would they laugh her out of the building and leave?

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Just when Sara was about to lurch back in with more words to try to say more. Do better. The Foreshadows looked at each other and, when all nodded to Dalen, laughed. Not at her, but with each other. Not pointed and cruel, but with humor, and relief.

Dalen reached across to pat Sara’s hand where she fiddled, nervously, with her empty mug. “If we can be honest, Viscount Bloom, we have had this discussion among ourselves already. Yes, we plan to stay for some time. Yes, if Kaelith reads over the contract and sees no unacceptable clauses, we would agree to defending the Valley if called upon. We have, in fact, been trying to come up with the courage to ask about relocating here, permanently or semi permanently. For we have enjoyed our time here unlike any in our short, but brutal, travels in the Contested Lands thus far. And have begun to think of Haven Village as our homes.”

“And”, Sylvi said raising a finger, “And we are definitely not above still wanting the equipment and favor from you for agreeing to what we already wanted to ask for. We’re honest, not stupid!”, she finished as they laughed. Sara joining then in humor, and relief as well.

“Well, I did offer, so I guess I should follow through with what I offered. Guess I should have let you folks go first!”, she muttered and they all laughed.

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Sara had Tas build the actual contracts and, after one happy change where the Foreshadows wanted the contract length extended to a full year, with the option to extend and a clause for allowance for purchase of property and citizenship at the end of a satisfactory contract, deals were signed, System Notification bore witness, and the Valley had itself another well working team of defenders to call its own.

*Ding* [System Contract Established: Defense Pact – Haven Valley]

Contracted Parties:

- Haven Valley, represented by Viscount Sara Bloom

- Challenger Group: The Foreshadows

Terms of Agreement (Initial Duration: 1 Year, with option to be extended as agreed upon by both Contracted Parties):

- The Foreshadows pledge to defend Haven Valley against external threats.

- The Foreshadows shall bring no harm, cause no violence, and pass no information or knowledge of Haven Valley or Viscount Sara Bloom for the length of the contract.

Benefits Granted to The Foreshadows:

- Immediate Approval to purchase Property Rights within Haven Valley and full Citizenship rights granted upon successful termination of Initial Contract Period.

- Waived entry fee for Crystal Mine Dungeon runs for the length of the Contract.

- Choice of permanent Fungal Equipment provided by Viscount Bloom.

- 30% discount on all purchases from the Haven Village store for the length of the Contract.

System Warning:

Violation of contract terms will result in immediate nullification of benefits and loss of Challenger Class Levels of the violating party.

Sara provided the party with the promised Fungal equipment. Fungal Leather and a Fungal Bow with 20 Fungal arrows to Sylvi. A Fungal Staff and Fungal Robes to Kaelith. A Fungal Mace and Shield, with Fungal Plate to Dalen, (Who said he was tired of getting hit trying to keep Braska alive). And, to Braska, who already bore a Fungal Greatsword, she added Fungal Leathers and a Fungal Greataxe just to add some variety to her chopping.

Sara stayed and enjoyed a meal and some drinks but, as the evening grew long, her mind grew weary, and she knew she had things she must face before she could call it a night.

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Soon enough, Sara was back in her Residence. She sat down on the carpeted floor of the Library and, as she let her mind settle into Basic Meditation, she took a deep breath, and brought up the System Notifications from her combat with the Redfangs.

*DING* [Your party has killed Borin – Berserker (Lvl 15)]

750 Experience being divided evenly among your party.

Error: Party size (5001) exceeds limit. Negligible experience gained.

[Current Experience to next level: 826.70 of 1000]

*DING* [Your party has killed Thalen – Cleric (Lvl 12)]

600 Experience being divided evenly among your party.

Error: Party size (5001) exceeds limit. Negligible experience gained.

[Current Experience to next level: 826.82 of 1000]

*DING* [Your party has killed Kaelen – Rogue (Lvl 13]

650 Experience being divided evenly among your party.

Error: Party size (5001) exceeds limit. Negligible experience gained.

[Current Experience to next level: 826.95 of 1000]

*DING* [Your party has killed Garruk – Warrior (Lvl 14)]

700 Experience being divided evenly among your party.

Error: Party size (5001) exceeds limit. Negligible experience gained.

[Current Experience to next level: 827.09 of 1000]

*Ping* Viscount Sara Bloom has been Marked for Blood by Mercenary Group: The Redfangs.

Effect: Redfang mercenaries, and those allied with the Redfang mercenaries +25% chance to be notified if Viscount Sara Bloom comes within Mind Thought feet of them at any time.

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That wasn’t all. The System really felt the need to highlight her killing spree of Challengers.

*Ping* [System Title Awarded: Killer]

Condition Met: You have slain a Challenger of higher level than yourself in combat.

Effect: The System rewards Strength above all. +1% Damage against Higher Level Opponents

*Ping* [System Title Awarded: Predator]

Condition Met: You have slain 2 Challengers of higher level than yourself in a single combat

Effect: The System rewards Strength above all. +2% Damage against Higher Level Opponents

*Ping* [System Title Awarded: Hunter]

Condition Met: You have slain 3 Challengers of higher level than yourself in a single combat

Effect: The System rewards Strength above all. +3% Damage against Higher Level Opponents

*Ping* [System Title Awarded: Harvester]

Condition Met: You have slain 4 Challengers of higher level than yourself in a single combat

Effect: The System rewards Strength above all. +4% Damage against Higher Level Opponents

*Ping* [System Title Awarded: Killer II]

Condition Met: You have slain a Challenger of 5+ higher level than yourself in combat.

Effect: The System rewards Strength above all. +2% Damage against Higher Level Opponents

*Ping* [System Title Awarded: Predator II]

Condition Met: You have slain 2 Challengers of 5+ higher level than yourself in a single combat

Effect: The System rewards Strength above all. +4% Damage against Higher Level Opponents

*Ping* [System Title Awarded: Hunter II]

Condition Met: You have slain 3 Challengers of 5+ higher level than yourself in a single combat

Effect: The System rewards Strength above all. +6% Damage against Higher Level Opponents

*Ping* [System Title Awarded: Harvester II]

Condition Met: You have slain 4 Challengers of higher level than yourself in a single combat

Effect: The System rewards Strength above all. +8% Damage against Higher Level Opponents

*Ping* [System Title Awarded: Killer III]

Condition Met: You have slain a Challenger of 10+ higher level than yourself in Combat.

Effect: The System rewards Strength above all. +4% Damage against Higher Level Opponents

*Ping* [System Title Awarded: Predator III]

Condition Met: You have slain 2 Challengers of 10+ higher level than yourself in a single combat

Effect: The System rewards Strength above all. +8% Damage against Higher Level Opponents

*Ping* [System Title Awarded: Hunter III]

Condition Met: You have slain 3 Challengers of 10+ higher level than yourself in a single combat

Effect: The System rewards Strength above all. +12% Damage against Higher Level Opponents

Note: Title Bonuses from linked Titles stack. Cumulative total bonus = +54% Damage against Higher Level Opponents

And the System notifications just kept chiming. As if the System was celebrating on Sara's behalf.

*Ding* For being the first Challenger to be awarded System Title: Killer III. +100 EXP

[Current Experience to next level: 927.09 of 1000]

*Ding* For being the first Challenger to be awarded System Title: Predator III. +100 EXP

[Current Experience to next level: 1027.09 of 1000]

*Ding* For being the first Challenger to be awarded System Title: Hunter III. +100 EXP

[Current Experience to next level: 1127.09 of 1000]

*DING* [Level Up Achieved: Commander Level 4]

Free Stats Free Stat Points: 5 per Level

[Current Experience to next level: 1127.09 of 2000]

New Class Ability Unlocked: Sustaining Presence

• Effect: Allies within (Soul Sum) feet regenerate +2% Soul Energy per second while Commander is active.

• Secondary: Boosts healing received by allies by +5% within Presence range.

And, even as Sara’s Meditative state nearly dropped at her frustration and shame at the deaths of other Challengers. Of other ‘Humans’, the analytical side of her brain couldn’t help but think. “What would my bonuses have been if I’d killed the other two as well?”

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