8 Chapter 8: Inn and ou

As they thanked the guards for opening the gate, Faith and company walked into the village. Along the street were brick houses of various sizes, signs and stalls lined the street while people rushed in different directions. The various vendors waving their goods in attempts to attract customers, children ran about joyfully with an old beat up ball kicking it between themselves.

As Faith took in the sight before her, a feeling of familiarity filled her chest as though she seen this before somewhere. At one stall in particular a tall suit of crimson armor stood displayed, glistening in the sun drawing the stares of others passing by. Especially as the group walked by Jayson stared to a point of stopping, that catching Annie's attention as she too stopped and stared for a moment,

"You like that armor? I doubt it would fit you." looking to him as she spoke before walking away to catch up with Kenny and Faith.

Jayson shook his head jogging a bit to catch up to the group, as they headed toward the village center where the inn was supposed to be. Seeing their destination in sight they picked up their pace, passing by a large man angrily shouting at a child, oddly enough the child was wearing a leather chest plate over a green shirt. His legs and arms covered with leather armor, on his back was a long sword that was much bigger than him, the tip dragging along the ground as he stood there. His expressionless face stared at the angry man, ignoring them Faith continued toward the inn.

Walking inside Kenny approached the counter, lightly waving his hand to catch the attention of a man standing behind it, "Hello there sir, I'm looking to get rooms for myself and my friends. Would you be willing to help us?" Asking earnestly he smiled sliding two bronze coins across the counter top, the man looked down at the two coins on the counter, scooping them up two sets of keys replaced them. "I like the look of you, I'll give you five nights, food is served until sundown. If you want a wake up call let me know." The man gave Kenny a thumbs up walking back to a stool, turning to look at Faith he held up the keys jiggling them slightly.

Inside one of the rooms the group settled around the room decompressing, taking in the events that occurred not very long ago. Images of the day flashed through Faith's mind, from the moment on the roof when she was attacked by Jayson, to the appearance of the Were-Lion. Kenny was in leaning on the bed in a daze, he was looking at the features of the system.

Eyes hovering over the new icons below the Power Tab, the Crafting List, Fusion, and Exchange were lighting up across the screen. Focusing on the Crafting List a nearly blank screen popped up, at the top of the list Frost Spear was highlighted.

Going back to the main menu Kenny busied himself with the features of the system, Annie was sitting cross-legged on the floor in silent meditation her wooden sword resting on her knees. Jayson was staring out the window taking notice of the people walking around the village. "Alright, we need to come up with a plan. Currently in, what seems to be a different world, no clue how we got here. A weird thing in our eyes that gives us abilities, and a dog that appears and disappears when it feels."

said Jayson as he turned to look at Faith

"I agree and I have an idea, lets figure out all we can about where we are. About this world because I doubt we are going back any time soon." Faith responded shifting her sight to Kenny, "Have you figured anything out about this system thing?" Nudging him with the tip of her shoe drawing him from his daze, Kenny chuckled shaking his head standing up straight, "Not much, they are pretty straight forward as the names are. That's the easiest way to explain it. However the more I dig and uncover the more questions I get." Returning to the menu screen he continued, "Still, what I do understand is that whatever this is, it's really amazing!"

Annie fidgeted in place, slowly opening her eyes to look up at Faith, excitement shining on her face, "Let's just use them, wouldn't we gain a better understanding by practical use?!" Rocking back and forth as she spoke. Faith's eyes widened in surprise for a split second before returning to normal, understanding her intent she smiled, the air between the two girls growing tense.

"Sure, I'll take you on!" As Faith replied the temperature in the room grew hot as her aura expanded, causing Jayson, and Kenny to shout in unison, "NOT IN HERE!!" shaking the room slightly with the force.

Downstairs the room was quiet having heard the shouting, "Kids sure are energetic these days." The man behind the counter sighed, standing up he proceeded towards the stairs. "It's alright everyone I'll go and check, just finish your meals." assuring them as he ascended the stairway.

Inside the room Jayson was scolding Faith and Annie, "If you want to fight go outside, we can't afford to destroy this room. Annie, don't provoke her like that, time and place! Hopefully we can stay low profile until we figure ourselves out. That means no causing trouble. Do either of you understand?" He asked huffing, shoulders moving up and down with each breath.

Faith turned away from Jayson, while Annie looked down at the floor boards. Alan who was laying on the bed lifted up suddenly, "There is someone listening at the door, act naturally I don't think they mean you harm." transmitting his voice through their minds, Jayson muttered something as a knock sounded at the door. Kenny deftly moved to the door slowly opening it, revealing the man from before. A slight nervous look on his face as Kenny stepped backward clearing this way for his entry, crossing the threshold of the room he stood before Faith, Annie, and Jayson with Kenny leaning against the door.

Faith stared at the man before her, tall as he was Faith could see the features of him clearly. He was middle aged with a semi-muscular frame, a square chin and heavy brows gave him a slight heroic look. The headband around his forehead kept his long gray hair from his eyes, as he stared at Faith with his dark brown eyes a bead of sweat trickled down. "I heard shouting so I'm making sure things are alright in here, no one hurt or dying right?"Seeing as how none of them responded, he chuckled nervously " I'm Josiah, however most call me Old Jo. Is there anything I can do for you, um. . .travelers?"

Jayson adjusted his glasses slightly a slight glare being cast off the lens, "We would like information about where we are, is there a place with books available to the public?" He asked calmly in a sickly sweet voice as though he was trying to charm him into answering, Old Jo winced turning toward Faith whilst saying, "You are in the village Topo on the outskirts of the Krungen empire, and if it's books you are wanting. The Mages and Adventurers guild has some however they aren't free for anyone to take a look at." As he was explaining Faith shot a meaningful glance toward Kenny for a moment, to which he nodded understanding the message she wanted to relay. Lightly pushing himself off the door, Kenny walked up behind Old Jo placing his hands on his shoulders.

"Thank you for that information, we'll go take a look. I'm terribly sorry about the noise and we will do our best to keep it down. Mind telling me where to find them first though?" Kenny chuckled leading Old Jo outside the room shutting the door behind them. As the door closed Faith eyes glistened, "Guild, Guild, Guild!" Repeating it over and over in her mind.As she thought to herself a gentle smile slowly formed, excitement building up causing her body to shake slightly.

Jayson sighed shrugging his shoulders, "I guess we'll be going as soon as that fool returns, remember what I said please. No trouble."The door opened as he finished speaking, Kenny stepping inside the room his usual wide grin ever apparent on his face, "I'm sorry for the wait everyone, let's go get our study on." Faith and Jayson following him out the room, Annie followed slowly, "I wanted to fight though." pouting to herself as they left the inn.

After wondering around the village following Kenny's lead, the group arrived in front of a grand building. One of few that looked important in the area, the stairs were a polished white leading to the door beside the threshold two gold statues stood. The statues were detailed in their design featuring a young man holding a wand. The building was dazzling in the sun, rays of light reflecting off the polished surface of the building giving it a more majestic look. The deep blue color of the outside walls gave off a sense of calm as one approached. Around the back of the building was a small field.

Inside the field a couple of people were standing a length apart from each other, in the space between a roaring flame enveloped a skeletal creature. The creature bared its teeth and roared, the force of which extinguished the flames completely however before it could do much else the flames returned. Burning at a much greater intensity, reducing the creature to ash in the midst of the fire.

Annie watched in amazement as they walked into the building.

"Why does this feel like a video game?" Faith thought to herself, nearly bumping into Kenny who stopped at the front desk.

Standing behind the counter was a young lady, a pointed blue hat with a silver band around the base sat on her head slightly. A small cloak hung around her shoulders, held together by a small ruby like piece of jewelry.

Her ensemble matched many of those roaming the building, with the majority carrying stacks of books.

With a warm smile she bowed, long strands of brown hair swaying with her movement, "Welcome to the Mages Guild, if you are new, I can answer any questions you have. How may I assist you?"