They drove for around eight hours.
There were stops for meals, stops to tend to Kaelen's injuries, and a few stops because the trail became treacherous enough that Aiden did not feel like learning whether their vehicle could survive rolling down a hill.
With the added weight and rougher road, they moved slower than expected.
Even as they set up camp for the night on top of a small rocky hill, they could see a distant glow on the horizon.
Coalhill.
They were close.
While the others worked on setting up camp, Aiden tended to Kaelen's bandages. As he did, he noticed something.
Aflmaril kept looking between him and Selene with a worried expression, like she was trying to give a silent warning.
Part of Aiden wanted to pretend he did not know why.
But Ymer's words kept echoing in his mind.
You didn't tell them. No wonder they trust you so much.
Selene had gone pale when Ymer said it. Kaelen had been waking up at the time and did not seem to hear it, or at least was not acknowledging it.
Aflmaril, however, had heard every word.
So had Aiden.
As everyone worked to set up, gather wood, or unload supplies, Aflmaril slowly moved closer under the guise of helping with camp.
"Aiden," she said quietly. "We need to talk."
She glanced toward Selene.
Aiden looked up from where he was changing Kaelen's bandages.
"Is it urgent?"
"Not immediately," Aflmaril said. "But it is something you need to know."
"Then it can wait until tonight. I'll take first watch with you, and we can talk then."
Aflmaril still looked on edge, but she nodded and turned back toward camp.
"What was that about?" Kaelen asked.
He tried to rub at his stump, and Aiden swatted his hand away.
"Something Ymer said during the fight got into her head," Aiden said. "It's nothing bad, much less important. I'll talk with her tonight."
Kaelen nodded.
Inside Aiden's head, Will chuckled.
"So quick to lie your ass off. What changed?"
Aiden was silent for a moment.
He tried to think of why he had chosen to lie for Selene without a second thought.
Maybe it was because she was a patient he had treated.
Maybe it was because she was shy and timid.
Maybe it was just the testing of his new skill Silver Tongue.
But the real reason sat heavier in his chest.
During the fight with Ymer, Selene had looked to him for what to do. There had been trust in that look. A level of trust that made Aiden want to return it with his own.
That was why he had chosen to try to forget what Ymer said.
Still, he understood why Aflmaril was worried.
But Aiden knew Selene.
She was not someone who would do the things Ymer did.
That night, they gathered around the campfire. Straun played a soft, beautiful song on his flute while the fire crackled and everyone ate dinner.
Aflmaril kept meeting Aiden's eyes from across the flames.
She was too worried to sleep without answers.
So when it came time for watch, Aiden stood and turned to the others.
"We usually take three shifts," he said. "So let's do two from our group and one from the other. Aflmaril and Selene can stay up with me for first shift."
Selene looked surprised.
Aflmaril shifted ackwardly.
Aiden gave her a look, hoping she understood.
Trust me on this.
One by one, everyone settled down for the night.
Aiden sat by the fire with Selene and Aflmaril.
Selene stared into the flames, pale and quiet. No doubt she had noticed Aflmaril's looks and knew exactly what this was about.
Aflmaril sat tense and alert, practically ready to leap away if needed.
They waited for a good twenty minutes to make sure everyone else was asleep.
Then Aiden looked at the two of them.
"Aflmaril, you said you wanted to talk to me. I assume we all know what you're worried about."
Selene's gaze stayed fixed on the fire. Despair slowly grew across her face.
Aflmaril turned to Aiden.
"I think Selene is an Other class," she said. "Just like Ymer. And you need to know they are dangerous."
"I'm aware Selene is dangerous," Aiden said. "Just a few days ago, she ripped a Blood Trent's arm off. It was very helpful."
"No, I mean…" Aflmaril stopped and took a breath. "Let me start over. What do you know about classes?"
Aiden took a moment to think.
"Well, everyone gains their class at the age of ten. Classes can have a variety of energies that come from different parts of the Aether in the air around us. They are generally organized into categories, but I only remember melee, ranged, and production."
Aflmaril opened her mouth to speak.
Selene spoke first.
"T-there are generally agreed to be six types of classes," Selene said quietly. "Melee classes are physical frontline fighters, like Pugilist. Ranged classes attack from afar or use magic, like Liora. Support classes heal and empower allies, like Kaelen."
She swallowed, still staring at the fire.
"Mixed classes can do a bit of melee, ranged, or support. Control classes manipulate minions, enemies, or the battlefield, like Thalia. Lastly, there are production classes, like you."
Aiden turned to Selene.
She looked like someone who had been caught doing something wrong and was now waiting for the inevitable shouting.
Aflmaril continued.
"In actuality, there is a seventh type. The Other classification. They are considered dangerous just by existing. If not for the Accords, they would be kill-or-capture on sight."
Aiden nodded along until the end.
Then both he and Will seemed to ask the same question at the same time.
"What are the Accords?"
Selene and Aflmaril both looked at him with surprise.
Selene shook her head.
"I-it's a whole thing. But basically, it's a pact made between a very, very powerful individual and several governments saying they cannot go on witch hunts to kill people with Other classes."
"What does that even mean?" Will asked inside Aiden's head. "A very, very powerful individual?"
Aiden ignored him and turned to Aflmaril.
"We're getting off topic. Why are Other classes hunted down?"
Aflmaril looked at Selene for a moment before turning back to Aiden.
Her expression was serious.
"There are eleven known classes in the Other category. Zealot, Werewolf, Vampire, Oracle, Jester, Gambler, Plague, Psionic, Homunculus, Experiment, and Mutant."
Aiden blinked.
Then he said,
"Huh. Guess I know more than one friend who is an Other class, then."
Selene and Aflmaril both turned to him with bewildered expressions.
Aiden looked back at Selene.
"Why are you surprised? We ate at the Seared Tusk several times. Eustus is a Psionic."
His worry from before was quickly being replaced with skepticism.
"So what exactly makes these classes so dangerous?"
"There are classes like Jester and Experiment that drive themselves insane to use their abilities!" Aflmaril said, jumping to her feet.
She drew her blades and stood on guard, as if expecting Selene to strike her for even saying it.
Selene did not move.
Neither did Aiden.
After a moment, Aiden asked,
"And?"
Aflmaril gave him an exasperated look.
"Experiments can graft monster parts onto themselves. In case you have not noticed, Selene's arm is not exactly human."
By this point, others around the camp were starting to stir from the noise.
"U-um," Selene said softly. "I'm not an Experiment. My class is Mutant."
A deeply awkward stillness settled over the campfire.
Aflmaril blinked at Selene for a solid moment.
Aiden looked between them.
"Were you worried because you thought Selene was an Experiment?" he asked. "Because I can attest that I have seen her System screen."
Selene brought up her screen and spun it around so Aflmaril could see.
Selene "Morphclaw" Drakemire
Age: 18
Race: Human
Class: Mutant - LV. 8
XP: 15,700 / 19,000
HP: 41 / 41
Mutation: 71 / 71
Stats:
Strength: 31
Dexterity: 3
Constitution: 20
Intelligence: 2
Wisdom: 21
Charisma: 4
Soul Skill:
Chimeric Surge (C)
50 Mutation
Your mutated arm can channel an overwhelming surge of energy, amplifying your strength and granting additional functionality temporarily. When activated, your arm grows larger and sprouts bio-organic enhancements such as tendrils or plating, allowing you to perform feats of extraordinary strength for 10 seconds. Afterward, you feel drained and tired.
Skills:
Evolved Form (E)
Passive
Your body has adapted and twisted in ways that make shape-changing effects difficult. You have advantage against effects that alter your physical form. Effects that do succeed last half as long. This skill provides passive resistance against external attempts to alter your body.
Mutate (E)
10 Mutation
You can push part of your body beyond its normal capabilities, granting enhancements such as elongated limbs, strengthened muscles, or hardened skin. Once mutated, the effect is permanent until replaced with a different mutation. Mutations provide specific stat boosts or unique abilities based on their nature.
Hidden Monstrosity (E)
25 Mutation
Your mutations can be concealed at will, allowing you to appear normal until you activate specific abilities. Passive mutations remain hidden, but active ones temporarily reveal your monstrous traits. This skill allows mutants to blend into society while still wielding their powers.
Claws of the Beast (E)
15 Mutation
Grow razor-sharp claws on your hands, dealing increased slashing damage on unarmed strikes. This skill provides an offensive mutation, turning your hands into natural weapons.
Hemoclash Surge (E)
25 Mutation
Your blood becomes aggressive and enhances your next strike by attacking the blood of those you hit. Enemies struck by this effect have their healing reduced.
Flaw:
Aetheric Expulsion Syndrome (AES) (B)
Passive
Your body constantly releases small amounts of raw magical energy, making it difficult to suppress your abilities or skills.
Aflmaril inched closer, still clearly on edge, until she was close enough to read Selene's System screen.
Then she sheathed her swords and crossed her arms.
Her expression shifted from alarm to confusion.
"Okay," Aflmaril said. "Then why didn't you fix your friend's arm?"
It was now Selene and Aiden's turn to look confused.
They spoke at the same time.
"I-I can do that?"
"She can do that?"
Aflmaril stared at them.
"Every class has hidden benefits and flaws the System screen does not tell you. What, did you all decide to become adventurers without doing even a bit of research?"
Selene and Aiden both refused to meet Aflmaril's eyes.
Aiden could practically feel her eye twitch as she looked at him.
Inside his head, Will burst out laughing.
"Guess you know how it feels to be on the other end of that look now."