After I chose my class, the oracle gazed at me with a slight, knowing smile. "Now," she began in her calm, measured voice, "you have ten minutes to ask any questions before the tutorial begins. Use your time wisely."
The atmosphere felt heavy, filled with both anticipation and the weight of the choices I had just made. Finally, the ball was in my court. I had the chance to ask what I truly wanted to know, and I intended to make the most of it.
I thought for a moment before speaking. "Miss Oracle, when I selected my class, I was promised a weapon to assist me, but I have yet to receive it. How do I go about obtaining this aid?" I thought it was a practical question to start with, given how crucial a weapon would be in the trials to come.
The oracle sighed ever so slightly, her disappointment clear as her eyes narrowed just a fraction. "Honestly, I expected more." she said with a note of disapproval. "But to answer your query, you will receive a shortsword of sorts. When the tutorial begins, simply think of the weapon, and it will manifest. However, do keep in mind that your weapon is basic, nothing extraordinary. You'll have to earn greater tools as you progress."
Her response took me by surprise. I hadn't anticipated the mild scolding. Perhaps I had underestimated her expectations of me. Still, I felt my question was necessary, so I stood by it. "Thank you, Miss Oracle. Could you explain the process for securing a patron that aligns with my constitution and overall path?"
The oracle's demeanour shifted ever so slightly. Her previous disappointment seemed to fade, replaced by a glint of satisfaction in her eyes. "Ah, now that is a much better question," she said, her voice laced with approval. "When a mortal selects a class, the deities associated with that class are alerted. But the major deities such as the Olympians or the Aesir were not, This is because your presence is still weak and unstable. The more powerful deities won't take interest in you… At least, not yet. In order to gain a patron, you must first entice a deity. This is something you can earn throughout your time in the tutorial and after you will meet only one of the deities who find you amusing. This will be your chance to impress them and gain their favour. But beware, securing a patron is not the end of your challenges. Should you encounter another potential patron in the future who holds enmity toward your current one, you may be forced to choose between them, sacrificing the blessings of one for the other. The path of patrons is fraught with politics and power struggles."
Her words filled me with both inspiration and dread. It sounded surprisingly easy to initially gain a patron, but the long-term complexities were much more daunting. The idea of juggling relationships with deities and potentially losing their support over rivalries made it clear that this aspect of my journey would require caution and diplomacy. It also explained why the oracle herself, after eight decades of guiding souls, had only one patron. She had navigated these treacherous waters for years.
"Thank you for the clarification," I said, already running potential scenarios through my mind. "In your vast experience, which of my current allies do you recommend I befriend, and which ones should I approach with caution?"
The oracle's reaction to my third question was entirely unexpected. A laugh bubbled up from her chest, full of genuine amusement. Her eyes sparkled with both glee and curiosity as she regarded me. "Hahaha! In all my years of guiding mortals, no one has ever asked for my personal opinion. Can you believe it? They are too focused on themselves, too eager to prove their worth or too frightened to ask. You are quite the interesting one." She paused to collect herself before continuing. "If you truly want my advice, it is this: be cautious of everyone. Trust should be earned, not given freely. Only after you've fought and bled together can you begin to assess who is truly your ally."
Her advice hit home. I'd learned over the years that trust was a fragile thing, easily broken but difficult to rebuild. However, hearing this from the oracle, who had witnessed countless adventurers pass through her realm, reinforced the importance of discretion and careful observation.
"Thank you, Miss Oracle. Your insights are invaluable." I took a moment to reflect on what she had said before posing my final question. "One last thing, if I may. Is it possible for me to bring something from my home to aid me in this one? There's a particular book that might provide me with some valuable insight."
The oracle tilted her head slightly, considering my request. "Hmm, that should be possible," she said after a brief pause. Her caution was fair, and I realised I had been holding on to a small piece of my past, perhaps out of sentimentality. Still, the idea of having something familiar, something comforting, was appealing.
As the book was summoned, the oracle paused to look at the book. Her eyes glowing golden once more, and for a moment I could feel the warmth much like that of a summer day. She then handed the book to me, her eyes now normal.
"Thank you once again, Miss Oracle," I said, bowing slightly in gratitude.
She smiled warmly this time, her earlier sternness having melted away. "Hudson. You seem to have a keen eye and I believe that will serve you well in the trials ahead. The future is bound to be... interesting." Her words were laced with a prophetic undertone, and I couldn't help but feel a chill run down my spine. "Now then.," she continued, "it is time for your tutorial to begin. May the ancient deities of all realms guide you."
With a snap of her fingers, the familiar surroundings of the oracle's chamber dissolved. I was instantly transported to a dense, sprawling forest. The air was thick with the scent of pine and damp earth, and a slight breeze rustled through the trees. As I looked around, I noticed I wasn't alone. Several familiar faces from the selection process were standing nearby, all looking just as disoriented as I felt.
One of the twins broke the silence first. "I suppose we should start with introductions," she said, her voice level but tinged with an underlying tension. "Not like we have a choice anyway. My name is Rebecca, I'm an archer"
Her sister followed suit, speaking in a calm, soothing voice. "I'm Anna, a healer.."
Shawn, who had been lost in his own world, finally spoke up. "My turn," he muttered under his breath before raising his voice. "My name is Shawn. I'm a heavy warrior."
Then, all eyes turned to me. It was my turn to introduce myself. "My name is Hudson, I'm a light warrior." I paused for a moment before continuing. "Now that we've all introduced ourselves we should talk tactics."
Rebecca groaned and rolled her eyes in response "as you can see, anna is a natural support she'll be with me. Shawn is a tank, he'll be upfront. I will climb up high and pick enemies off with my arrows. And as for you, you will just go where needed."
Her analysis was sharp and effective, but I couldn't shake the feeling of being blindsided, like I was just some random extra, standing there without purpose or place.
I didn't appreciate the suspicion. "I'll stick to the vanguard alongside Shawn," I explained. "That's where I'm most effective." This seemed to satisfy her for the moment, and we moved on. At this point Shawn finally looked away from his sword, and raised his hand to speak, but then we heard a sound taking us out of our little meeting.
Beep!
Tutorial has begun.
mission: Survive.
Time limit: 29:23:59:52
Survivors: (1000/1000)
May the Ancient Deities of all realms guide you.
The gravity of the situation hit me like a ton of bricks. We were in this for the long haul, and survival was the only objective that mattered now.