Chapter 17- Trials of the Independent 3

Morpheus was beginning to feel tired, he had been fighting for over ten hours. He walked into the river slowly, letting the cold water hit his skin, relaxing him.

The young chimera thought over the next wave, could it be worse than the shadow wolf alpha or could it be two alphas. He kept imagining himself being ripped apart by their teeth.

Morpheus snapped out from staring into the blue river and realised he only had a minute left. He got up and dried his hands and his axe for the next horde.

Horde fourteen was about to begin and he had a bad feeling about it.

The ground rumbled as it always had but a stampede didn’t follow. He squinted and his eyesight zoomed in on two enormous wolves.

(Alpha Shadow Wolf, Shadow Shifter, Level 98)

(Alpha Psycolf, Tele Tearer, Level 95)

“At least there’s only two.” He joked, attempting to cheer himself up.

Morpheus already knew the shadow alpha’s attacks and passives, but he didn’t know the paycolf’s abilities.

The two enemies halted about fifty metres away from him. The psycolf alpha tilted its head forward and aimed it Morpheus, space seemed to vibrate around its head. It suddenly howled and fired off a wave of psychic energy towards Morpheus.

He didn’t even have time to react, the wave had hit him. Morpheus’s head felt like it was in pieces, he was disorientated and bleeding from his eyes, ears and nose.

You have levelled up Mind Magic Resistance Level (2)

You have levelled up Mind Magic Resistance Level (3)

Status:

Health:3867/6840

Stamina:10049/10100

Mana:3230/3530

“Three thousand holy fuck.”

He pushed Arcane Rebirth to its maximum and he began to regenerate. He was getting up when his vision vanished and he was now in the shadow alpha’s sphere.

He could barely focus, he doubled back on himself and ran. He escaped the sphere of darkness to see both wolves charging at him. The psycolf began to charge up another attack, but Morpheus was ready, he used Arcane Step to dodge the incoming attack, and dashed forward towards the wolf. Feeling the outline of the psycolf he aimed for the wolf’s leg, leaving a deep cut, blood pouring out.

The psycolf whimpered followed by an outstretched paw slashing his chest. He bit his teeth and healed up the cut. By this point the shadow alpha closed in on him and attempted to bite his neck.

He quickly dodged, its teeth barely an inch away from his neck. He brought his axe up a lodged his axe in its eye, he pulled it up and spun around to hit the other alpha in its same leg.

He used Arcane Step and brought his hammer down again, focusing on more prevailing gash on its leg. He took the leg off and it went flying into the shadow alphas face, blood covered its whole face,

The psycolf alpha cried out and tried to limp away but Morpheus wasn’t going to let it. Using Taste of Talaria he leapt up onto its back and slammed down with all his strength with Arcane Strike onto its head. His hammer went in splitting its skull, brain matter flyed out covering him.

It went limp and a smile crept on Morpheus’s face. He turned to the shadow wolf alpha, still on the psycolf’s back he dashed off straight towards his target.

He slashed at the beast, backwards and forwards, across and down. Blood was covering its fur and Morpheus was slowly chipping down at the beast. His movement ability paired with Arcane Step, made him untouchable as long as he kept Arcane Pulse up.

The shadow alpha took its last breath as Morpheus cut into its neck. He fell back, exhausted again.

Against his troubles he got up and put the two alphas in his pouch.

Morpheus was getting angry he, just wanted to go back to Ervos.

19:44

“Fuck it can’t you just start the next wave.”

Warning! Horde 15 has been started.

Much to the annoyance of Morpheus he did get what he asked for.

He picked up his axe and went to meet the horde on the scorched hills, but it wasn’t a horde.

(Orc Boss, Child of Bogros, Level 120)

You have entered the sphere of death weakness. 25% reduced movement. 20 heath drains a second.

He was angry, veins popped out of his forehead as he sprinted to the orc, completely focused on killing it.

His regeneration abilities matched the drain as eyes bled with his anger. The boss slammed his club down, Morpheus dodged to the right, bringing his axe in rotation with all his strength. His wrists glowed a golden colour as he embedded his axe sideways into the orcs face.

Amazing! You have slain (Orc Boss, Child of Bogros, Level 120). For killing an enemy 30 levels above your own additional experience has been added.

A small smirk came onto his face. “IS THAT ENOUGH FUCKING EVIDENCE.” He shouted.

The sight was gruesome but the young chimera couldn’t care. The hordes were dead and the trial was over.

You have levelled up Arcane Pulse Level (15)

You have levelled up Flow of the Valkyrie Level (15)

You have levelled up Spartans Essence Level (16)

‘Congratulations’ you have levelled up Level (74) (1 stat point available)

‘Congratulations’ you have levelled up Level (75) (2 stat point available)

‘Congratulations’ you have levelled up Level (76) (3 stat point available)

He just sighed, he was exhausted but it was over and it was in the past. He put his points into wisdom.

‘Congratulations’ you have completed the trial ‘Evidence’.

Reward worthy of your actions has been awarded.

A chest rose from the ground as dead grass and sand fell off of it. He walked over to it and lifted up the lid.

‘Orcs Skin Pouch.’ This is a dimensions pouch that was made from an orc boss’s skin. Size-5mx3mx3m. Quality-Very Rare. Cost Estimation~2 Gold 45 Silver. State-New.

‘Shadow Armour Trousers’ These trousers are made from a shadow wolf alpha. Self Regenerating. Quality-Very Rare. Cost Estimation~1 Gold 6 Silver. State-New.

Morpheus was very pleased with the loot. He quickly put on his new jet black trousers and transferred everything to his new pouch. Morpheus could potentially sell his old one but he had a better idea.

There was also around fifty silvers scattered about in the chest which he pocketed.

He put on the rest of clothes and saw the circular room appear in front of him. Double checking he had everything he walked in and clicked on entrance. Happy to be out of the blistering heat.

Space distorted and he was teleported just outside of the dungeon. A few droplets of rain hit his head and trickle down his face. There were a few groups of people just staring at him. Morpheus’s face was covered in blood and fur, which seemed to shock most people. It was early morning according to the time on his interface.

“You! Name yourself.” A voice boomed behind him, lifting a spear.

He lifted his hands up.

“Nvos.”

“How’d you get in the dungeon, it’s been closed for two days.”

“Two days, I was only in there for one. And why is it closed?”

“Are you an idiot, it’s the princess’s coronation. It’s been closed for a couple days because the king doesn’t want anyone drenched in blood walking the streets.”

“Coronation... That’s in two weeks though?” He asked.

“Wait, did you get stuck in a unique?”

“Yeah exactly that.”

“Ah fuck, wait you’re that boy who made the joke about the gold right?” The guard asked.

“Yeah that’s me.” He responded.

“Must have been a hel of a trial then. If time was distorted.” The guard said, lowering his weapon.

“I was in Hel itself.”

The guard let off a weak smile. “Come into the station by the quarters, we need to ask you some questions and get you clean.” The guard said while sniffing the air.

Morpheus followed the guard along the royal quarters, up a flight of stairs and into a tower.

The guard knocked on the door.

“Come in.” A familiar voice said.

“Davos, this man got stuck in a unique.” The guard said.

“Well that’s a first for this year. What’s your name?” Davos asked.

“Nvos.” He answered.

Morpheus explained the trial, making up the name of his unique trial.

“Well, a horde trial. Very rare.” Davos said.

“I’m glad I’m alive.”

He lifted his hand over to a green crystal and it flashed twice. A few seconds later a young teenager walked in.

“Boy get this man a bucket of water.”

The young teenager returned and handed Morpheus a bucket of water.

“Round the back of this office is the mess room, just wash all the shit off your face.”

“I’m meant to be going tonight actually, I was wondering if you have any tips.” He asked honestly.

“With who?”

“Brevair, he’s been training me.”

“Oh I heard he took one on, try not to make an enemy with anyone in the room.”

“That’s it?” Morpheus asked.

“Make sure you bow to anyone if they don’t reach out a hand. Got myself stuck a few times with that one.”

“So I’ve heard. Will there be anyone from the Empire there?” The young chimera asked.

“Probably a representative, their royals wouldn’t dare come here.”

“That’s good, when was the last conflict?” He asked.

“Two centuries ago, from then on we’ve had peace talks since.”

He shook the big man's hand and was on his way. Morpheus thought out his plan for today, he hadn’t slept so maybe a nap or some stimulant type drugs may help. He wrote in his notebook ‘find drugs’ and next to it ‘find nice clothes’.

He had absolutely no idea what to wear for a princesses coronation. Would he have to wear gold, a big hat or even makeup. He was stuck and more nervous than he was for horde fourteen.

He racked his mind. ‘Reyna!’ He thought.

He hastily walked over to the guild, trying to find her.

“Hey Ellana have you seen Reyna?”

“Brevair’s lass, she’s in the back and by Odin you smell bad.”

“Been stuck in a unique for a day, turns out it was some sorta space where time flowed slower.”

“Must have been a tough one then. But really Nvos you need a bath, you absolutely stink, worse than Adam’s room.”

“Thank you for reminding me.”

He left Ellana and walked into the training area, he saw Reyna talking to some people.

“Hey Reyna.” He said with a cheery tone.

“Oh hey Nvos, where have you been?”

He explained the trial, leaving the name out.

“Must have been tough, and you really bad smell by the way. What is that, orc?”

“Multiple, was wondering if you could help me pick out clothes tonight, I’ve got a decent budget.

Her eyes lit up, not in a happy way, like a serial killer staring into its victims.

“Sounds great, oh sorry I didn’t introduce you to my team.”

“This is Emily, Tom, Nia and Michael.”

Michael looked at him, Morpheus thought he was going to be disgusted but soon realised he was human. Michael stretched out a hand, to which the young chimera was confused but shook it anyway. He shook the rest of their hands and told some stories from his trial, they seemed like nice people and the only non-human was Nia, who was an elf.

“Are you guys doing any requests today?”

Michael spoke up “None, we just needed to sort out pay from the last job.”

“Cool, well speaking of pay I’ve got some carcasses I’ve got to sell. Reyna I’ll have a bath somewhere then I’ll meet you in an hour here if that’s ok with you.”

“I can’t wait to dress you up.” Reyna said.

“I’m regretting my decision now.” The young chimera said while walking away.

He headed over to Adam's room to sell his goods, he knocked and let himself in.

“Hey Nvos, you got some juicy monsters for me.”

Morpheus brought out all the Alpha’s he got from the hordes.

“So you’ve been busy huh?”

“Something like that.” Morpheus responded with a slight smirk.

Adam checked over the bodies with interesting looks.

“Well Mr Nvos I can do two gold for all these.”

“Really why so much?”

“These have magic and are high level.”

Morpheus was over the moon, his fingers were no longer hitting the bottom of his pockets. He took his coin and headed out, asking someone where the nearest public bathroom is.

He didn’t have his place at the Dashing Horse Inn since he hadn’t been there for two weeks. He cursed the trial for the time he had lost.

The public bathroom was rather nice, the smell of soaps and the nice hot water helped him relax from the trial.

He managed to clean his clothes also, which helped him feel more refreshed. Morpheus put his clothes back and headed back to the guild.

Reyna was eagerly waiting outside.

“C’mon Morpheus we have shopping to do.”

“I thought we were only getting clothes for me, and call me Nvos.” He grumpily said.

Reyna just huffed and dragged him off by his arm.