Ralph and Eugene carried an unconscious Deacon into the gate house and out of sight. Ralph made Deacon as comfortable as possible before going over and trying to help Eugene locate the gate controls. It seemed rather obvious to Ralph that you needed two people to turn wheels attached to chains at either end of the room. Eugene went over to the wheel in the far corner while Ralph took the one closest to the door.

“Did you notice anything odd about his broken bone?” Asked Eugene.

“Yes, it looked almost green. Like the color of his eyes when he came down the shaft like a demon out of the ten hells. Never seen anything like it. We should probably focus on getting out of here. I’m sure we can ask him when he wakes up.” Ralph replied as they winched the gates open wide.

Meanwhile Deacon dreamed for the first time in his new world. He was back home in his apartment. Getting up in the morning to start his day, he hopped in shower, shaved, and proceeded to get dressed. As he did, each piece of clothing he put on disintegrated as it touched his skin. Then the walls of his apartment peeled away revealing hellish creatures marching toward a spinning dark oval. Each one was more horrific than the next with extra limbs, drooping skin, insect like appendages, and human faces. He pulled his aura in tight out of pure instinct over days and weeks of one disaster after another. Just then an undulating mouth attached to a leech like body with dragonfly wings headed over to him. Deacon prepared himself for a fight. Once the creature reached him it stopped five feet away and said, “Wake up!”

“Wake up Deacon, we have to move.” Came Ralph’s voice as he began to gently shake Deacons shoulders.

“Wait, where are we?” Deacon asked groggily as he sat up. He began to stand, then a sharp pain shot up his right leg.

“Easy. I don’t think the bone is fully fused yet. Should be another couple minutes. That’s one hell of a Perk you have.” Ralph said.

“Ok, can you give me a second. I have a slew of notices from my slate.” Deacon said.

“Sure but make it quick.” Ralph replied.

You are the first person to compete in the Hidden Circle and escape. You have been granted a plus one to Speed and Agility.

You have reached level Eleven. You have one unassigned stat point.

Apparitions Aura has reached level two.

You have learned to refine your aura. There is now a constant covering of your aura around your body granting the following passive benefits: Aura projections no longer need manual targeting. You can just manifest the effects by sight. Reaction time for anything entering your aura range has increased. Greater sympathetic connection to your element.

The next notification had a red and black outline that worried Deacon.

You have presided over a massacre that has scarred the world. The boundaries between this location and the Nether Plane have thinned. This will have far reaching consequences.

New title-The Blood River- While this title is equipped your enemies will have a 50% chance to be inflicted with a bleeding effect after every one of your attacks. This title cannot be hidden and will be visible by all.

Deacon immediately made sure that title was not equipped. He could not walk around in polite society with that as part of his inspected information. The Mangler he could live with. He then put his new point into Intelligence. Deacon was growing tired of the constant heckling.

Attribute

Score

Intelligence

16

Strength

35

Speed

37

Agility

18

Wisdom

14

Luck

300

“Ok, let’s get out of here.” Deacon said.

“Great. I grabbed you the sword that guy had. Its rare so it’s a good back up weapon for you.” Ralph said as he tried to put it in Deacons hand. No sooner did he make the attempt did the sword shoot out of Deacons palm and imbed itself into the chain that was connected to the gate winch. It immediately lit the whole place with sparks of electricity running up and down the links and through the gate itself. It effectively made the entire iron fence around the manor house look like a Faraday cage.

“Time to go!” Deacon said as he hobbled his way toward the still open gate.

“What the hell was that?” Ralph said quickly catching up.

“You are a weird guy, Deacon.” Eugene said jogging right behind them.

“I don’t suppose either one of you knows the fastest way back up to the guild. What time is it?” Deacon asked.

“It’s pretty late. We should take the King’s Road up to the Ascent Road. Sorry there isn’t a secret path I know of.” Ralph says. The trio makes their way out to the road leaving the Taurant Manor behind. It is sparsely wooded on this side of the Plateau. Deacon kept his head on a swivel as his leg started to feel much better.

“So. How did you manage to kill all those people?” Ralph asked.

“What?” Deacon replied with a sincere shocked look on his face.

“The Shadow’s Ring arena. I went in to get some gear and there were flattened and dead bodies everywhere. Care to explain?” Ralph proded.

“Ok first, that wasn’t the Shadow’s Ring. My notifications called it The Hidden Circle.” This got gasps from both Ralph and Eugene, “Second, they sicked some Corpungie things on me and I fought back. That’s it.”

“There is no way all that blood came from Corpungie bodies. I’ve fought them before, but if you don’t want to talk about fine. What about your bones?” Ralph asked.

“What about my bones?” Deacon asked indignantly.

“When we fixed you up, one of your bones was sticking out of the wound. It was mostly green. Are you sick or something? Curse?” Eugene asked trying to lower the tension between the two men. Deacon immediately stopped moving eyes wide.

“Are you sure that’s what you saw?” Deacon asked.

“I don’t think I’ll ever unsee it.” Said Eugene flatly.

“No idea. This is the first I’m hearing of it.” Deacon said eyeballing his leg and getting worried.

“So no answers. Well is should at least thank you for saving us.” Ralph said throwing his hands up.

“I do have answers about Amanda. She your woman or something?” Deacon asked.

“No, we just grew up together. Joined the guild at the same time. I was out looking for her when I got caught a few days ago. She’s been acting strange since the day we met you. I originally chocked it up to embarrassment. Have you seen her?” Ralph asked.

“I’ve got some unwelcome news. It seems she has a…cursed ring on. I received a quest to save her.” Deacon replied.

“You received a quest to save her?” Ralph scoffed.

“Yup. She was there when some goons and this obsessed kid Efimeo grabbed me. I almost got away, but she blew sleep dust in my face.” Deacon said.

“You make friends everywhere I see.” Eugene said.

“The kid is from the Mountains Shadow. Not sure what she was doing with them but that’s my first place to start tomorrow, after a bath. Is this all blood?” Deacon said ignoring Eugene.

“Ok my shop isn’t far from the second level entrance.” Eugene said as they started up the Ascent Road, “If you ever need any boots made, come find me.”

“I will. I need at least four pair and I have some designs I’d like you to take a look at. What’s your skill level?” Deacon asked.

“Stop by my shop and I’ll let you know. It’s called Eugene’s Foot Parade.” Eugene said as began walking away from the adventurer’s.

“Are you sure you’ll be safe? Not afraid they’ll come looking for you?” Ralph called out.

“I’ll be fine. Thanks again heroes.” Eugene said as he picked up his pace disappearing into the coble stone streets and buildings.

“Strange guy. Foot Parade?” Asked Deacon looking at Ralph.

“Share your quest with me. I want to look at it.” Ralph asked.

“How do I do that?” Deacon asked back.

“Check your slate for the quest and think about sharing it with me. How do you not know this?” Ralph asked as Deacon visually concentrated on the quest trying to will it Ralph.

“Why does it have such a weird name?” Ralph asked.

“The fates hate me and make everything a joke. I fuckin hate it.” Deacon said.