The gas covered the floor of the council chambers. Typhus and the two statuesque guards holding him in place began to cough up blood. Ralph was preparing to jump down into the space, but Deacon held up a hand. He then pointed to Typhus and then the people in the noble boxes. The Tuskaxe family was still fighting. Grimbor Tuskaxe was now swinging a great axe around like a madman. The twins and Uncle Jared were doing their best to avoid the attacks.

Daskus Bloodbeard was superheating the floor of their box hoping to melt the stone. That would be their makeshift exit, but they were also closest to the gas. Even now Kestus began coughing and Julia Jinkbon was uncontrollably scratching at her arms.

“Stay up there. Amanda used some kind of ability and it’s making people sick. Tantus, the bangle if you please,” called up Deacon.

Not soon after he spoke, Deacon began to cough and received a slate message for his efforts.

You have contracted a disease: Black Lung- This disease causes your lungs to shrivel and your skin to break out in hives. Your stamina bar will be reduced by half, and you will take ten percent damage with every cough.

Deacon didn’t have to worry about the stamina issue but ten percent health damage per cough was deadly. The only thing keeping Typhus and himself alive was his Triage perk. Depending on the frequency of coughing fits, that might not be enough.

“It’s a disease. We need someone who can cure diseases. We need them fast,” barked Deacon as he coughed again.

A beam of holy light lanced from the broken glass section of the viewing section. Tantus bathed the entire area in Astrael’s light. Flashes of red could be seen from every box with the exception of House Bloodbeards. The battle in the Tuskaxe box abruptly stopped. Then came a roar from the Smitehammer’s. The scion of House Smitehammer stood shakily on his feet. A golden helmet slammed down over his head, and he pointed up toward the Hascavir’s box.

“Traitors!” he screamed.

Everyone in Smitehammers box drew steel and began to pound at the magical barrier that had them sealed in. The Jinkbon’s joined in on the accusations before they started coughing as well. At this point everyone in the three lower boxes were infected. Venita Hascavir bolted out of her box toward the door. Her mother on the other hand stood up with blazing hatred in her eyes. She held up her hands and curving lines of force wrapped around Venita preventing her escape. The Sovereign of House Hascavir shook her head and the remnants of two earrings fell to the ground.

“You would use me like a puppet to grab power for yourself and fail? You’ve ruined our family name. We will definitely lose being first among our peers and will likely be kicked off the council. Your scheme is at an end, and you will face the full extent of Deep Dweller justice for this crime,” Atlanta all but screamed at her daughter.

Meanwhile, Deacon began to send invites to all those he could see to spread his perk among them. Not everyone accepted. Of the gathered people he managed to get all the Bloodbeard occupants, the Tuskaxes, and the Jinkbons. The Smitehammers all refused, and Deacon didn’t bother with the Hascavirs. The rune guards activated their suits once small shards of red crystal fell from the interior of their helmets. They immediately staggered back releasing Typhus who ran to Deacon’s side.

“Let me get you out of this horrid thing. What happened down there? Cough. Blasted fog! What did she do to us?” ranted Typhus.

“They drew my blood and tortured me. They killed Hani right in front of me just to get my family name. I couldn’t do a thing. My powers aren’t working around these runes Typhus. I… need help,” said Deacon weakly.

“Hold on for as long as you can. Helps coming. That was quick thinking telling Tantus to use the bangle. Now stop feeling sorry for yourself. We need to go after them and stop whatever they are planning. I overheard what Ruby said and I don’t like what I heard. Blasted contraption, how does it open?” Typhus said growing more frustrated as his health ticked down.

“Deacon! We called for the guards. We’re trying to find a better way down there right now,” called down Tantus.

“Annessa, would you please use that rune console to release our fellow nobles from their boxes? I will handle Venita,” ordered Atlanta as she strode closer to Venita and the exit from the box.

The Deep Dweller female addressed as Annessa ran over to the runes and began studying it. She didn’t immediately understand all its workings, so she just started pressing down on more familiar symbols. Some of the box’s barriers slid closer together pushing their captive’s shoulder to shoulder. She knew that wasn’t right and undid it.

Deacon turned his head toward Typhus as a coughing fit came over him. One, two, three, then four hard wheezing coughs came out. This dropped his health down to ten percent. He just shook his head instead of tying to talk. A sickly brown halo winked into existence behind Deacon before rotating counterclockwise and disappearing. Then a new notification spread across his dimming vision.

You have consumed energy from ten out of ten hells. Quest Complete

Class Specialization Quest Complete-Create sympathetic links to five more planar dimensions. One out of five. Rewards- Legendary Specialization unlocked.

You have reached your Specialization point. You may choose to specialize your class or maintain your current one. Specialization offers enhanced class abilities as well as specific attribute bonuses for every level hereafter.

Deacon’s eyes popped open. He finally had access to his specialization. He was so excited to see what they were he stopped trying to pull his left arm out of the device. He vaguely noticed Typhus pop something off his restraints.

You have access to the following specializations: Demon Lord/Rare, Saint of Damnation/Rare, Heretic of Ten Hells/Legendary.

Demon Lord, Rare Class Specialization- Can control any demon below your current level as well as spend soul energy to dominate demons of higher levels. Soul energy cost in level difference. Unlock Demon Lord class ability tree. Gain an additional +1 to Wisdom, Strength, and Intelligence per level.

Saint of Damnation, Rare Class Specialization-You will take the roll of adjudicating the afterlife of all damned souls. This class determines the punishment most fitting for those who have led a wicked life. Unlock Saint of Damnation class ability tree. Gain an additional +1 to Wisdom, Agility, and Speed per level.

Heretic of Ten Hells, Legendary Class Specialization- The God Chimera crafted this specialization. You will have 5% added to all attributes on level ups. Hell Plane abilities will now cost half the stated soul energy to execute. Your halo’s will now be Awakened granting access to their passive abilities while channeling. No class ability tree available.

Deacon already knew what he’d be picking almost immediately. A five percent increase to each attribute with every level up was huge. Just comparing the legendary class to the two rare classes showed him that. They received generous bonuses to three attributes every level. It would even synergize with his Nian of Four Hells subclass. Being able to survive in each dimension and gain passive abilities. Half cost on his abilities was the decisive factor. He selected Heretic of Ten Hells.

His body was flooded with golden energy. There was enough power coursing through him that Deacon burst his left side free. The ruby tipped needles ricocheting around the chamber before embedding themselves in random runes along the wall, forcing them to go dark. All bickering stopped in the booths as they witnessed the light show followed by the rapid depowering of the runic barriers. The needles all managed to sink into the walls along the single strip of runes. In future telling of the story, listeners would say that was impossible.

Deacon stood up straight for the first time in a day as the golden light began to drain from his fingertips and toes, up his arms and legs, and finally swirling into his heart before disappearing. He took a moment to check his attributes.

Attribute

Score

Intelligence

29

Strength

55

Speed

47

Agility

26

Wisdom

35

Luck

300

That was before his level ups now that he unlocked his specialization. He checked his slate messages again.

You have reached level 28; you have four undistributed attribute points.

Deacon placed all four into Agility. Then looked at his expanded Attribute table and smiled.

Attribute

Score

After Specialization

Intelligence

29

30

Strength

55

58

Speed

47

49

Agility

30

32

Wisdom

35

37

Luck

300

315

It seemed like the slate record wanted to keep the static number along side the adjusted numbers. Deacon wondered if that was in case you lose your specialization or something along those lines. His exuberance died out when he noticed Typhus was curled up on the floor scratching at his arms. Deacon would have to wait to celebrate. With the breaking of the runes the scion of House Smitehammer jumped from the box landing in front of Deacon.

“I’ll handle this pestilence. Cure all ailments!” he called out before raising his maul.

Light bathed the chamber from the Smitehammers weapon. The head of the weapon had a square flat end with a thick middle that extended out into a two pronged claw. The entire thing emanated with holy energy sweeping away Amanda’s fog.

“You’ve done a great service this day and, in the battle, previously. My father will not forsake you. For the might of Mantarok will see the Dwellers win the day again. Let us get you some clothes,” said the man gesturing to his staff, who’s name Deacon still did not catch.

Deacon ignored him and helped Typhus back up to his feet. He still seemed shaky, so Deacon reached down for his bag, only to realize it was gone. Then he remembered his new ability. Both of their health bars were ticking back up thanks to Deacon’s party skill. He knew more than felt, that his aura had returned. The breaking of the runes must have unlocked his soul energy bar as well. Deciding there was no time like the present, Deacon held out his hand and willed one of the chairs from his storage to appear. For a heartbeat nothing happened. Then not only did his chair appear but it appeared under Typhus who flopped down into it. That was a good foot away from his outstretched hand. Deacon knew he was going to love this. As he could see Typhus’s health improving in his party interface, he put the chair back into his inventory with a thought. Typhus fell ass first onto the ground with a shocked look on his face that changed into a scowl.

Deacon just realized what that bit of text meant in the power’s description. “Effects are available anywhere said soul is touching.” That meant his aura. He could pull out or replace things in his inventory anywhere in his aura. This opened up new realms of possibilities but Deacon decided he would most likely use it for pranks.