Book 2: Chapter 18 — It's what I do

Book 2: Chapter 18 — It's what I do

Noah was escorted by the guards to a chamber below the Pit. Stone walls were reinforced with thick slabs of rock, with guards stationed at intervals. Noah saw multiple chambers, looking almost like prison cells, most were empty, but some had people or things inside of them.

Reaching the end of their path, the guard grunted for Noah to walk in. Giving a light knock, Noah waited a few moments for the door to open up.

“Who is it? I told you not to disturb me for a few days,” a man said, peeking through the sliding window of the gate.

“Hey there, I’m Noah. I was sent here by Vix. You are Devin I assume?”

The man looked at Noah for a second, before he shut the eye panel. With a click, the gates unlocked as a hunched over man wearing an eye patch regarded him.

[Tome-Crafter - ??]

“Get inside, take off your shoes then stand in that circle and don’t move till I tell you to,” Devin said, pointing at something drawn on the floor at the entrance.

Noah used Dimensional pocket to teleport his shoes in his Inventory, as he stepped inside the circle. Devin closed the door behind him, before walking around the circle. Picking up a mana core that Noah couldn’t properly see, he inserted it into a slot carved next to the gate and the magic circle under Noah’s feet lit up.

You’ve been inflicted with [Cleanse].

You feel cleaner than ever!

Noah felt the grime on his body evaporate into thin air. Every little bit of dirt, dust, sweat that was on him seemed to vanish as a cool refreshing feeling covered him.

“Holy shit,” Noah exclaimed, feeling better than he had in weeks. “I so need that spell.”

“No you don’t. It is costly to use a Cleanse spell like this one. Which is why whatever you’re here for better be worth my time,” Devin said, staring at Noah.

“I’ve gotten a deal from Vix. I fight in the pit, and in return, I can have you create tomes for me,” Noah said.

“What kind of tomes?” Devin asked.

“Ability Tomes. I need three of them to rank up,” Noah said.

“What kind?” Devin asked.

“That’s the problem. I don’t really know. So far I’ve just been picking up every ability tome I got without really planning it out,” Noah said.

Devin looked at Noah, with a questioning gaze. “You want me to pick three abilities for you then? I’ll need to see your Astral Script for that.”

“I’ll need an Oath for that,” Noah said.

Devin looked at him before whispering words under his breath.

[Oath of Secrecy]

An Oath between Devin Barrow and Noah Brown. Upon agreeing to this oath, Devin Barrow will not be allowed to share this information outside of individuals who share this oath as well.

Do you accept the Oath?

Yes/No?

Noah read through the words, selecting yes as the Oath settled into place. Reaching out, he extended just the list of his abilities to Devin.

You’re about to share your Astral Script with Devin Barrow.

Do you agree to this action?

Yes/No?

Noah selected yes, as the screen made itself visible to Devin. He felt glad to have read about how to safely share details of his Astral script. Things like Oaths, sharing limited information, and his ability to withdraw his Astral script all would become important if he wanted to keep his information to himself.

The tome crafter went through his Astral Script, silently looking through the menus. A few moments passed as Noah observed Devin reading through everything.

“Hmm, the first one seems to be the base ability. All higher than I would’ve estimated. You also somehow have three, Avros knows how. Three legendaries too,” Devon said, looking up at Noah.

“You said you picked up everything you saw. How did you even find all these?” Devin asked.

“Lucky break on a quest,” Noah replied.

“Sorry about scaring you Snow. I’m Noah Brown, and I’m not here to hurt you. I just want to talk,” the man said, and Snow stared at him.

He was strange, his hair was white, but not like the Celestians she had seen. His eyes were a light red color, and he looked nothing like anyone she’d seen. Snow continued to stare in silence at the man.

“I just wanted to know how you got here. Do you have any parents?” Noah asked.

Snow looked at him, the question bringing up painful memories. She shook her head.

“No parents. No family either I assume. Well, I was curious about how you became the big monster thing. You see, I can do something similar as well,” the man said, showing off his hand.

Snow’s eyes widened in surprise as his arm turned pitch black, claws coming forth from his fingers as he transformed. Even his pupils changed, black swirls running up his body and face.

“Y-you have a Shadow too?” Snow asked, finding her curiosity winning over her fear.

“Shadow?” the man asked. “I’m not sure what you mean, but the reason I can do this is my buddy here. Say hi to Snow, Tony.”

Snow watched as dark goop formed around the man’s shoulder, before a floating eyeball with wings started flying.

It flew closer to her, circling over her head before it nested itself near her head.

Snow laughed. “That tickles,” she said, touching the little eye. Shadow felt curious as well.

The eyeball flew back to the man a moment later, flying around his shoulder.

“So, who is Shadow?” the man asked.

Snow looked at him silently, before she turned to shadow. “Should I tell him?”

Shadow rustled in her. He didn’t trust the man.

“He has someone like you. Maybe... maybe he can teach us somethings.”

Shadow did not like the idea. Learning from a stranger, even just being here could get them punished.

Snow felt a shiver run down her spine at the thought, as she clutched her collar. “I-I need to get back. I can’t be here,” she said, her breathing growing heavy.

“Hey, it’s okay. Calm down. No one can find you here, and time moves slowly when you’re inside,” the man said, crouching. The eyeball moved to her as well, resting on her head as it radiated a sense of peace.

Snow took a long breath, before giving a nod. “O-okay...” she took a moment, before answering the question. “Shadow is... my friend. Like your friend. But he cannot come out.”

“Is that why you have those horns?”

Snow gave a nod.

“How did they bring you here?” he asked.

Snow paused, feeling her mouth run dry. “The... cult,” she whispered. “They... they caught me. Said I was... special. Brought me here, before they sold me to this place. I tried to run... but they...” Snow trailed off, feeling her words die.

The man stood in silence, before she felt a hand on her shoulder.

“I’m sorry that you had to go through so much. I don't have much time to talk right now, but I promise I’ll be back to free you. But I can't do it immediately, so I would like you to wait a little.”

Snow felt her heart drop. “You can’t!”

The man looked at her in confusion.

“T-they can find me. With this collar. And then they’ll kill you. And catch me again. I-I can’t go.”

The man’s expression darkened, and he moved closer, still crouching as he remained at eye level for her. “I have got friends. And I know of ways to break shackles. See, I’m even wearing one right now,” he said, lifting his arm and Snow saw the shackles resting on his wrist. Her eyes widened in shock.

“W-were you a slave too? Did you run away?”

The man shook his head. “No, I wasn't a slave. For now, all I want you to do is trust me, and not give up. I’ll find a way to get you out of here.”

Snow looked at the man, into his red eyes, and found herself wavering. “I... why would you do this for me? You have nothing to gain, and you could die.”

The man paused, thinking over it. “Because I’m a nosy person,” he said, giving her a bright smile. “It’s what I do.