Stars littered the night sky.
Corin threaded through the snow swept plains, fierce winds tugging at him. Behind him, Kertelmoor stood like a dark silhouette.
A small cabin came into view. Snow lay thick upon its roof, the structure groaning as the wind pressed against it.
The lone shack stood in an endless expanse of white.
Home.
It was not the only dwelling beyond the city. A handful of cheap, self built sheds dotted the planes. All sold for dirt cheap. But this one stood especially alone and especially far.
Corin pushed the door open. Snow spilled in as he stepped inside.
Darkness swallowed the inside. A narrow closet. A small table. A bed. A desk. Nothing more.
He required nothing more.
He crossed to the table. It barely reached his hips. Perfect. Crouching down, he sat on the floor and folded his legs beneath him. From here, the table met him comfortably.
He loosened the small sack at his belt and tipped several compact spheres into his palm.
Bread.
Dense, compressed balls of it.
It was his own invention. He called it, bread balls.
Without hesitation, he placed one in his mouth. It broke apart into dry crumbs, stale and nearly tasteless.
Flavor was irrelevant.
Bread was cheap, filling, and most importantly, easy to obtain. A full loaf was too bulky to carry, so he tore it apart and pressed the pieces together until they formed tight spheres that fit neatly in his pouch. And so, bread balls were born.
He ate a few in silence. The stale, compressed bread chewed no better than cardboard.
When he finished, he rose and moved to the desk. He struck his fire stones together and coaxed a weak flame from the candle's dying wick.
Light flickered across the walls.
He drew a heavy book towards himself and began reading.
---------------------
The Archer
A common gift part of the military class. Has five known stages of evolution.
1. Fletcher: The user gains exceptional hand control and craftsmanship. Knowledge on arrows comes natural.
2. Archer: The user can control their heartbeat at will, steadying breathing or allowing to play dead. The user gains improved eye sight. The users body becomes stronger resulting in higher strength, stamina and resilience. Knowledge on bows comes natural.
3. Hunter: The user can mark a target. A marked target can always be sensed and tracked down. All 5 senses are enhanced.
4. Eye of Fortune: All senses are further enhanced. The user gains the ability to see danger, works for themselves, other people or even general areas.
5. Ghost: The user gains the ability to phase through objects and go invisible. Presumed to physically enter a different world or dimension while phasing. Not confirmed. Eye of Fortune is greatly enhanced allowing for even future sight. This does vary depending on the user.
Progression.
From Fletcher to Archer.
Most successful: Eat the brain of a eastern hognose snake and meat of a great boar.
Known variants: Craft The Arrow.
From Archer to Hunter.
Most successful: Kill 10 other blessed.
Known variants: Hunt a mythical beast.
From Hunter to Eye of fortune.
Most successful: Kill a seven winged crow while inside a hundred eyed squid.
Known variants: Drink a phoenix tear.
From Eye of fortune to Ghost.
Most successful: Become Sierras apostle.
Known variants: None
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Corin stopped reading. His eyes focused on those lines.
"Become Sierras apostle."
He searched through the scattered papers on his desk until he found what he wanted and laid it beside the book.
At the top of the page were the words.
The goddess of misfortune, Sierra
Beneath the title was an illustration of a beautiful woman.
She was depicted naked, long hair draped over her breasts. A bow rested in one hand covering her private part, and in the other she held a single arrow the size of a spear. Thick bangs veiled her eyes, as a radiant smile curved across her lips.
"A goddess... Interesting." He thought.
So advancement could come through devotion as well. That might work for him. But which deity would he choose. Solaris seemed the most accessible. Yet how did one become an apostle. Would any church accept him.
The questions spiraled without answers. He forced the thoughts aside and continued reading.
---------------------
The Herbalist
A common gift part of the scholarly class. Has four known stages of evolution.
...
Thief
A common gift part of the evil class. Has seven known stages of evolution.
...
Porter
A common gift part of the utility class. Has three known stages of evolution.
...
The Brewer
A common gift part of the utility class. Has four known stages of evolution.
...
The Blacksmith
A common gift part of the crafting class. Has two known stages of evolution.
...
---------------------
Midnight came and the candle guttered out. Corin studied the small pool of wax before closing the book.
He rose and moved to the bed. The wooden frame creaked as he sat on the thorn mattress. He removed his boots and belt, setting them neatly beside it before undressing.
His torso was lean, every muscle clearly defined. Each movement shifted clean lines of strength.
His hand moved across his back, tracing a network of scars. They spread in pale strands across his skin, tangled like a spider web.
He reached beneath the bed for a wooden bucket and dropped his dirty shirt and trousers inside.
Then he laid down and pulled the thin blanket over himself.
Staring at the ceiling, his thoughts churned. Too much had happened today.
He had hoped the book would mention something about the hallucination from this morning, but he had found nothing. Not yet at least.
"Old man Harlan."
The name suddenly surfaced in his mind. Another Gifted. Perhaps he would know something. He quickly reaffirmed himself. He would ask Harlan tomorrow.
He should also look more into the gods.
With those thoughts fixed in his mind, Corin closed his eyes and tried to sleep.
...
As he lay there with his eyes closed, a faint red glow stirred in the darkness around him.
It moved like a snake, thin strands coiling and uncoiling in silence.
Slowly, it drifted towards him.
The light brushed against his skin, then seeped inward without resistance. Thread by thread, the red energy sank into his body.