“Colt, we should have taken the mystery meat.”

A healthy pit of fear settles in my stomach once the situation sets in. Looking back, the chute we slid down into here is gone, there’s nothing but a brick wall in its place. Colt takes a deep breath, probably allowing Sound Mind to take over.

Taking a look around, I note that we’re on a cobblestone pathway. The sides of the path have normal grass covering them, despite a lack of sunlight. Looking up, the ceiling is rough stone about 20 feet above us. Looking down the path, there’s multiple cobble and brick buildings, some a mix of the two.

Deciding we now have nothing better to do, we continue on into this strange dungeon-city. There are lights on in some of the homes, the warm glow of candlelight and fire. Strangely, we don’t see a single person on the roads. The entire city is bathed in a strange light, similar to dusk on the surface, despite no visible light sources.

It’s fortunately enough to still pick out most details by eye. Walking further into the city, we spot a fully brick house, a large chimney sticking out of the roof, and an enormous furnace attached to the side of the house. Just as we notice this, a force catches me in the stomach, my HP drops quickly.

“Lucas!” Colt’s voice is filled with concern. Looking down the street, we note what appears to be a lobster, but it’s at least four feet long and mint green.

It’s staring at us, it’s large right claw opens up, we see a pale glow of the same mint green as his skin, then the claw clamps down, another invisible force strikes Colt in the chest. Inspecting the lobster, The Construct gives me a brief assessment.

Bellowclaw Lobster

Traits: Aerokinesis

Description: A lobster with innate control over the element air. They summon air into their large bellowclaw, snapping quickly to compress air, creating long-range, high-pressure shots.

“Colt, it’s a lobster armed with what amounts to a gun.” He nods at me, extremely aware, pain visible in his eyes. He takes a dose of a health potion, I do as well. With the damage stabilized, we’re ready to engage our new enemy.

Plotting a Course, I dash to the side of the lobster, it’s bellowclaw seems to take time to prepare a shot. It’s arm quickly pivots, aiming perfectly at me despite my speed. Just as its claw closes, a wall of earth erupts in front of me.

The shot pierces through, despite the thickness of the shield Colt supplied me. The force is somewhat mitigated but it still feels like I’ve been punched in the face as stony rubble pelts me.

Using the remains of the wall as cover, I add several Knots to my legs, along with setting up several more beacons. In a moment I’m behind the lobster. Colt is keeping it busy with various earth and nature spells.

Jumping at it’s back, I aim to finish this in one fell swing. Adding 8 Knots to my arms, Ballasting my weight to them as well, I pour mana into Devastating Impact. Just before my hit connects, the lobster blurs, a claw connects with my body, rocketing me into the brick wall of the house we were observing not a minute earlier. A yell resounds from inside.

Staggering up, a check of my HP tells me it’s dangerously low. Colt is going full force on the lobster now, sending everything he has at it. Taking this moment’s reprieve, I down a healing potion, bring my HP back up to safer levels.

“Crashing Wake!” A wave of water carries me to the dangerous crustacean. It’s momentarily distracted by the hit I land with my anchor on its shell. The blow simply slides off, causing almost no apparent damage. It aims its claw at me once more, this time I’m far too close for comfort. An idea comes to me just in time.

Summoning a Mana Shield, I shrink down the size, compacting the mana with all of my will. Shoving the Mana Shield into the hole the claw forms just as the lobster snaps, force erupts between us. The explosion of air sends me back while the lobster reels in pain, it’s right claw destroyed.

Standing up, I let fury flood through my body. Jumping into the air once more while my enemy is distracted by its pain, I add 9 Knots to my arms, flood mana into a Devastating Impact, and Ballast weight into the hit. BOOM An explosion of force crushes the lobster.

A metallic snap resounds from my anchor as one of the arms snaps off along the preexisting fracture. Falling to the ground, pain screams in my arms. The bones aren’t broken this time, but they endured a lot of force. A slew of Construct messages barely comforts me from my broken weapon.

Level up! For all of your struggles, you have succeeded. Your Talent: Fledgling Anchorist has reached (15/50)!

For reaching your third Talent milestone in Fledgling Anchorist, you have been awarded applicable stat points to Strength, Endurance, Dexterity, Willpower and + 90 XP. In addition, you have been granted the Perk: Echinodermal Flesh

Level up! For quick thinking and strong use of magic, your Talent: Fledgling Mage has reached (8/50)!

Too tired to pay attention to all the skill level up notifications, The Construct shifts to my desires

Skill level ups have occurred, check the Skills menu for further details!

Conditions Acquired: T1-T7 Vertebral Fracture, Broken Ribs, Stress Fracture: Radius, Ulna, Humerus, Concussion, Abdominal Puncture Wound.

Conditions Cured: T1-T7 Vertebral Fracture, Broken Ribs, Stress Fracture: Radius, Ulna, Humerus, Concussion, Abdominal Puncture Wound.

Bellowclaw Lobster defeated! 786 XP awarded!

Bellowclaw Lobster dropped: 11 Sparks, 3 Glints, Bellowclaw arm

Level up! You have achieved level 9, you are awarded 5 unallocated stat points, +0.1 HP regen, +10 MP, +1 Strength, +1 Endurance, +1 Attunement, +1 Willpower, and +1 Insight. 842/1472 remaining to level 10.

“0.1 HP regen?” ‘Perks’

Perks:

Echinodermal Flesh

Description: Your flesh has taken on the qualities of the Echinoderm family. You regenerate quicker from injuries, and you suffer lowered penalties from limb loss conditions. Time and focus allows you to purposefully regenerate lost limbs by focusing vital energies to the area at a cost of MP. +0.1 HP regen, +0.1 HP regen per level.

Unsure of what Echinoderms are, I turn to Colt. “Do you know what an Echinoderm is?”

“Literally no idea, why?” Our conversation is interrupted as a third voice joins in, coming from the doorway of the house.

“Echinoderms are the family starfish hail from.” The voice sounds like someone talking through water, but with a gravelly tone to it as well.

We both turn to look at the source of this strange-sounding voice. In the doorway of the house is a tall man. Man, however, is somewhat of a stretch. His head is shaped like an octopus, and he has eight octopus arms complete with the suction cups.

He’s wearing a leather apron that covers most of his front, what appears to be a shirt made of some strange scale mail that covers a small portion of each of his tentacles, and his pants are made of a simple cloth, some singe marks showing their wear.

Colt and I look at each other, I approach slightly. “Uhhh, hello sir, uh, thank you?” He glares slightly at me before taking in the scene around his house.

“Bellowclaw lobster eh? Surprised ye little pink things lived to tell the tale.”

His eyes widen as he sees my broken anchor in my hand. “You, lad. Ye wouldn’t happen to be an Anchorist, would ye?” He indicates towards my hand.

“...That I am.” His eyes close for a moment.

“It’s been many tides since I have last seen a fellow Anchorist, it’s a dead art I tell ye!” He looks into his house for a moment, before sighing. It’s a strangely wet sound, coming from him.

“Come inside you two, rest for a spell.” Sharing a glance, Colt and I agree the house seems warm and far more inviting than bellowclaw lobster-infested streets. We collect our new loot into our bags and head inside.

The main room of this home is enormous, and we discover it’s actually a smithy! There are two anvils in the main room and a huge forge set in the wall. Several large tanks containing various oils and other unidentifiable substances sit, ready to quench metals.

Racks upon racks of various tools cover the largest wall. Many different shaped hammers, files, clamps, and other tools I don’t know the name of hang from hooks.

“Soooo, what should we call you Mr. uh, Blacksmith?” He stares at me for a moment, sits down at a pedal-operated belt sander, and begins to grind a blade of some kind. “Ilmarinen”

“That’s a nice name.” Silence.

Staring around the room more, I’m beginning to gain a feel for the type of person Ilmarinen is. “It’s certainly… Dangerous out tonight.”

“Aye, always is, lad.” Realizing I’ve completely forgotten to introduce myself or Colt, my skin turns hot.

“Oh! I completely forgot to introduce myself or my friend here! I’m Lucas, Lucas Creo, and this is Colton Kaine, he goes by Colt though!” My words begin to spill over each other in my embarrassment.

Colt is glaring at me and I can’t entirely figure out why. A smile appears on Ilmarinen’s face, at least I think that’s what it is. He has a beak. “Looks like ye have at least a little tact in yeh. You two must be hungry, it’s been so long since I’ve been able to talk to an Anchorist, please, stay for a while.”

Our stomachs grumble, Colt has a pleading look on his face, which I take to mean he wants to stay. “Sure! We’d love to stay! I’m starved!” Colt’s face drops, clearly I got the message wrong.

Possibly in an attempt to prevent our food from being poisoned, Colt offered to cook the meal, explaining that he has a decent level in Fledgling Chef. Ilmarinen seems completely open to not having to be the one to cook and accepts.

We sit down at the table while Colt gets to work. “‘Tis a shame yer anchor is in such a sorry state. Tell ye what, I will reforge the broken arm, free of charge, from one Anchorist to another.” My eyes widen in shock.

“Thank you very much! But I couldn’t impose…”

He gives me an offended look. “I offered and ye should accept, lad.” Gulping, I quietly accept his offer.

“Let me see it, I need to inspect the damage.” Fumbling, I pick up my anchor and the broken arm off the floor, handing both to him. After looking over each piece, fitting them together, he frowns.

“This job may take some doing, it may be worthwhile to forge ye an entirely new anchor. I will do a minor patch to bring this… Poor excuse for an anchor back to working condition, but ye will need to go out in the morning and collect the ore I need for a new anchor. I have an idea of what to make you, but it will take very specific materials. Oh, and I want that bellowclaw arm in exchange for the new anchor. It will be an upfront payment.”

Nodding, I agree, the bellowclaw arm for a brand new weapon, from what looks like an incredibly capable smith? It’s an easy deal to make.

Quest Obtained! Collect the necessary materials for Ilmarinen to receive a new anchor!

Requirements: ????, ????, ????. Materials unknown.

Reward: ????? Anchor

‘Woah.’

Colt brings dinner to the table, giving me a strange look when he notices the excitement radiating off of me. He made some sort of salmon dish, I’m not entirely sure what. It’s delicious, The meat is rich and the spices he used combine perfectly.

Ilmarinen turns out to be a bit of a messy eater. Not unexpected, however, seeing as he has a beak. He’s enjoying the meal immensely, at least. He might have some levels in the chef Talent as well, but nothing beats the natural talent Colt has in the kitchen.

“I apologize for misjudging yeh at first, boy. Yer not an Anchorist, after all. Yer cooking is incredible, however!” Colt blushes at this comment, clearly feeling a bit more comfortable here now that he’s not the outsider.

After a filling meal, Ilmarinen is much less prickly and shows us around his forge. As we walk from station to station he explains what each tool does in detail, and what each different vat is for.

Apparently different special metals require different quenches at different temperatures to heat treat them. Passion burns in his eyes as he explains everything, this is clearly his calling. Colt looks somewhat bored, but I’m completely into it. The whole process is fascinating to me.

Taking the Basics of Fire tome out of his backpack, Colt announces that he’s gonna go study it while Ilmarinen shows me the rest of the process. About thirty minutes later, the process of refining ore into ingots is being explained to me.

Across the room, Colt yells out in frustration. “Fire magic is STUPID! Why can’t I learn this?!” Curious, we both wander over and take a look at the book. Colt is still on the first spell in the book, a simple spell to summon fire in one’s palm.

From the description, it looks like the spell’s main purpose is to gain someone the Pyrokinesis Skill tree. “Ye know spells of earth and nature don’t ye? Fire is structureless and destroys. Earth is the very essence of structure, and nature grows. Ye need to shift yer mental state.”

Both surprised at Ilmarinen’s insight, we turn back to the book. Colt takes a deep breath, clears his mind, and is surprised when a small flame alights on his fingertip.

“I did it!” He pumps his arm in the air in excitement, making the flame go out. Taking the book myself, I read over the principles of fire magic. It’s all very simple when you break it down, mana becomes the fuel for the fire instead of oxygen.

One needs to simply embrace what fire is, excitement, energy, heat, but also destruction. Closing my eyes, I feel warmth run through my body, surging into my fingertip. A small flame appears on my finger but doesn’t burn me.

Congratulations Lucas Creo! Due to fueling mana into flame you have gained the Skill: Pyrokinesis!

Congratulations Lucas Creo! Due to fueling mana into flame and giving it form, you have gained the Skill: Candlelight!

Even Ilmarinen looks at me in surprise now. “Ye must have quite some natural talent, The Construct helps, but even a basic spell like this shouldn’t be learned in an instant!” Blushing, I shift my feet.

“It just made sense to me, something about it felt natural.” Colt is glaring at me a bit but shrugs his shoulders, resigned. “Fire magic doesn’t feel right to me, I’m much more comfortable with earth and nature magic.”

The night continues on, I was able to learn Fireball quite easily from the next section of the book, Colt was not able to manage it just yet. Both of us yawn, exhausted from the exertion of today. “I have but one guest room, both of ye are privy to it, however, if ye wish to stay the night.”

We look at each other and nod. “Definitely! We’ll manage something. Thank you, Ilmarinen.” He smiles at us.

“Ye both stink as well, I have a hot water bath, I want ye both to use it before going to sleep. I won’t have my spare bed stunk up by ye both!”

Giving ourselves a sniff, we realize we both reek from the fight today. Ilmarinen gave us a cloth to wipe ourselves down with earlier but failed to mention his facilities until now. After a quick game of rock paper scissors, I win first dibs on taking a much-needed bath.

Ilmarinen supplies us some basic clothes to wear, just a simple cotton shirt and pants made of a fabric I can’t identify. They look big, and many-limbed, but he assures me they will fit just fine once I use them through the equip menu. Apparently, The Construct will even adjust the number of armholes to suit me. The shirt currently has eight.

Opening the door to his bathroom, steam billows out. Gasping as I look to the other side, I see what he simply called a bath. There’s a large pool of flowing water as if he has a small river running through his home.

The source of the water is a slot close to the ceiling spraying down a waterfall of hot water. In relation to the home, this wall is against the furnace, so the water must be heated by the massive construct.

Undressing, I test the waters with my toes. That’s hot! It takes a bit for my body to adjust to the heat, but soon I am completely relaxed as the searing water cascades over my skin. High endurance stat helps make the temperature pleasant.

Finding a bottle on a rocky shelf, I give it a smell. It’s extremely fresh, I pick up hints of various herbs I can’t identify but the overall scent is quite pleasing. Using a small amount so as not to be rude, I wash my hair and body with it.

It leaves me feeling soothed, my muscles releasing their tension from today’s events. What must be 30 minutes later, Colt is knocking on the door, yelling that it’s his turn. Stepping out of the rushing water, I grab a towel from a shelf in the room. I’m surprised to find that the towel feels completely dry despite being in such a steamy room until I notice glowing glyphs on the shelves. The steam seems to flow away from the area in general.

Stepping out of the bathroom, my skin is red from the heat, but I feel great. “Took you long enough, princess.” Colt scoffs as he steps into the bathroom. Returning to the main room of the house, I grab both of our bags and move them into the spare bedroom Ilmarinen indicated earlier.

It’s relatively unadorned, simple brick wall, black tile floors, and a queen size bed set up on a carved wooden bedframe. There’s a dresser in the corner, but neither of us brought a change of clothes. A fireplace is set into the wall in the room with a small fire built in it already, staving off the chill of this underground harbor area.

Sitting on the bed, I study the Basics of Fire tome a bit more. I’m too relaxed and tired to focus much more, however, so I make no headway. About 45 minutes later, Colt walks into the room, his skin beet red from the heat of the bath.

“I understand completely and forgive you for taking so long, that was lovely.” He might be blushing, but I can’t tell because all of his skin is red.

We sit and talk about today a bit before deciding we’re both far too exhausted to do anything but sleep. Ilmarinen supplied us both with our own blanket and pillow, but we have to share the bed.

Putting out the fire in the fireplace, I crawl into bed, taking one side while Colt takes the other. In the darkness, I mention the one thing that’s been sitting in my gut all night. “Soooo I may have potentially told Ilmarinen that we’d go out and collect him rare ore so he can make me a new weapon.”

Colt’s body goes tense in the bed for a moment. “You what?”

“My anchor broke! He said it’s too far gone, and frankly shitty, to be worth repairing! He told me as a fellow Anchorist that he’d make me a new one if we find the materials. Colt pleeeeeeeeeeeease?”

He grumbles for a moment. “Fine, I’ll do it, but we’re convincing him to make me something nice too.”

“Deal.” We finally lay down, sleep finds both of us almost instantly. Tomorrow is the big day, our first grand adventure.