And that was before the Cinder Whiskey scorched his throat.
The liquid glowed like molten metal in his cup. After asking Lord Ashrok if this would kill him, and determining from his flickering amusement and Insightful Gaze that it most assuredly would not, Justin tipped it back. It seemed to sear a molten path straight to his core.
The Fyrspawn didn't laugh, which seemed to be more of a human reaction. But their flames flickered and danced with barely contained merriment.
When Lila and Eldrin took their shots too, after confirming Justin wasn't dead, they winced through watery eyes.
The Fyrspawn drummed on their obsidian tables, many letting out yips of encouragement.
"By the Six," Lila gasped, her voice hoarse. "That's like drinking liquid fire!"
"That is not far from the truth," their host said, his flames brightening with pride. "Distilled from the essence of the volcanic springs of Ashralok and aged in obsidian barrels for a century."
Justin could only hope it didn't come out the other end just as hot.
From that moment, there was a perceptible shift. It was almost as if they were fully accepted after surviving this rite of passage.
After the meal came music and dancing. The Fyrspawn musicians played percussive instruments carved from volcanic rock—massive booming drums with skins that seemed impervious to flame, and crashing cymbals that showered sparks with each collision. The rhythms were almost primal, nothing like the measured melodies of Eyrth.
The combined effect of the pounding drums and the collective pulse of flames reminded Justin of a rave he had attended in college for his one and only semester. He had been dragged there by his roommate, who had a far more active social life. The memory seemed like it was from another life.
Justin found himself drawn to the center of the floor. Whether it was his class abilities, his Chameleon Charm boon, or his heightened Coordination attribute, he discovered he could mimic the Fyrspawn's movements with surprising ease. His body seemed to intuitively understand the language of their dance—the sudden rises and falls, the spiraling motions that mimicked their eternal flames. Soon, he found himself encircled by appreciative Fyrspawn, their flames reaching toward him in what he recognized as a sign of respect.
Lila shared the music of Eyrth as well, playing melodies on her harp and lute that seemed to captivate the Fyrspawn. Though her songs were meant for the taverns of Aranthia, the fiery beings listened with the reverence more typical of a formal symphony. They held perfectly still, their flames flickering in time with the music, as if each note were moving through them.
"Your music carries water in it," one elderly Fyrspawn told Lila afterward, her flames a muted yellow. "Strange, but beautiful."
As the night progressed, the atmosphere shifted once more. The central area was cleared, and what appeared to be a tournament ring took shape. With an incantation, Emberlyn created a red-glowing circle of about a hundred feet in diameter.
"The Circle of Embers burns!" Lord Ashrok announced, his voice booming over the crowd. "No celebration would be complete without it."
"Looks like some sort of contest will take place," Eldrin said. "A tournament, perhaps?"
Before Justin could answer, a towering Fyrspawn approached him, with flames like burnished copper. He was nearly as tall as Lord Ashrok but leaner. His obsidian skin bore elaborate carvings that glowed from within. Justin's monocle logged him as a Level 18 Barbarian.
"Talemaker," he said, his voice surprisingly melodic. "I am Infernus, nephew to Lord Ashrok. I would be honored if you would join our tournament."
Emberlyn translated all this before adding her own note. "It's traditional for honored guests to take part. Nothing to the death, of course. It's for sport."
"Can I fight with my own weapon?" Justin asked.
"No. You can choose from an assortment of obsidian weapons, each enchanted with Ember Guard. It turns any killing blow into a flash of light. That denotes the winner of the bout. And of course, stepping outside the circle is an automatic loss."
"I see," Justin said. "And is there a prize?"
Emberlyn translated for Infernus. "The prize can usually be selected by the winner. For an important celebration like this, it will be quite good."
It was enough for Justin, especially if there was no risk of death.
"I would be honored," Justin said with a slight bow to Infernus. "Are there any other special rules I should be aware of?"
Emberlyn nodded. "Yes. No offensive or defensive magic."
"Are class skills allowed?" Justin asked.
"Skills and boons may be used. But any skill that can damage directly is prohibited. Status effects are okay. You also cannot use a skill that prevents damage outright. So no shields, wards, or aegises. Something that helps you dodge or hit harder as part of a normal attack is fine."
Justin nodded. That meant every one of his skills would be on the table, except for Sapphire Aegis. "All right. Game on, then."
Eldrin stepped forward. "I'd like to join as well, if I may."
Infernus nodded with approval. "The Ranger wishes to test himself? Excellent. The brackets will be all the more interesting."
As he spoke, a Level 10 Fire Sorceress approached with a rack of various practice weapons made of obsidian with dulled edges—short spears, curved blades, staves, and some larger weapons favored by the Fyrspawn warriors. Each had a shimmering red barrier around it, which Justin assumed was the blunting enchantment.
Justin's gaze immediately went for one of the shorter practice spears, noting its similarity to his cane. Hopefully, the weapon would allow him to enjoy his Cane Competency boon.
"Will it hurt if I get hit?" Justin asked the Fyrspawn mage.
"Ember Guard turns killing force into light," the mage explained through Emberlyn. "You'll feel pressure, perhaps a sting, but no real damage. The spell knows when a blow would have been fatal had the weapon been real."
Justin tested the short spear's weight and balance. It was a little heavier than his cane but had a similar feel. His handling felt about as deft; his boon was still working. "This will do nicely."
Eldrin selected a practice longsword from the rack, testing its balance with a few experimental swings. "This will do."
Infernus raised an eyebrow, his flames flickering with interest at Justin's choice. "Most would choose a blade. The spear reveals discipline."
"Best to fight with what you know," Justin said. "Best of luck, Infernus."
The tournament brackets progressed swiftly. Justin's first opponent was a younger Fyrspawn whose enthusiasm outmatched his technique, a Level 9 Warrior. The practice spear gave Justin the perfect balance of reach and control, allowing him to keep his opponent at bay. His opponent hesitated at his Dandy's Swagger, edified by his new Cock of the Walk enchantment from his Founder's Regalia. To have added Poison Barb on top of that would have been cruel, so Justin dispatched his opponent with a quick flash of light.
Eldrin's first match proved just as one-sided. His opponent, a burly Fyrspawn who was a Level 11 Fire Vanguard, never landed a single blow.
The quarter-finals brought Eldrin face-to-face with Infernus. The matchup drew the largest crowd yet, with even Lord Ashrok leaning forward in his seat. Eldrin's sword met Infernus's dual-bladed staff in a flurry of strikes that sent sparks flying from the Ember Guard enchantment. For several minutes, they seemed evenly matched, with Eldrin's honed reflexes compensating for Infernus's greater strength and reach.
"Your friend fights like the mountain winds," Emberlyn said to Justin. "Unpredictable and ever-changing."
As the fight intensified, Infernus let out a primal roar that seemed to shake Justin's bones. His flames turned a deep crimson, and his muscles swelled beneath his obsidian skin. His strikes became faster and more powerful, the Ember Guard on his weapon flaring brighter with each impact against Eldrin's sword. The Ranger was now on the back foot.
"What's happening to him?" Justin asked.
"A Barbarian's Rage," Emberlyn explained. "Their power grows when the skill activates."
The decisive moment came when Eldrin executed a brilliant feint, drawing Infernus into overcommitting. Just as victory seemed within the Ranger's grasp, Infernus performed an impossible twist, his spine arching backward. The Fyrspawn countered with a strike that caught Eldrin just below the ribs. The Ember Guard flashed, signaling a killing blow.
Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.
To Justin's surprise, the impact seemed to reinvigorate Infernus, his flames burning even brighter as though he had absorbed some energy from the successful strike.
Eldrin stepped back, surprised for a moment, before bowing. Infernus was definitely the one to beat.
Justin's second opponent was more challenging, an older Fyrspawn female with a methodical style, a Level 14 Fire Warden. But Justin's Gentleman's Sidestep, combined with his mastered Cane Competency boon, proved invaluable. Since the point was not to get hit in the first place, his defensive capabilities gave him a distinct advantage.
He had the feeling, from the surrounding cheers, that he had a growing fan base among the Fyrspawn, interested in his evasive fighting style. With a Gentleman's Sidestep, followed by a nice, solid thwack that emitted a flash of light and staggered his opponent, he claimed victory.
Soon enough, the final match arrived: Justin versus Infernus. The crowd formed a tight circle around the red ring, their combined flames lending an almost hellish light. Justin's eyes caught Lila's on the side, who gave him a smile. Eldrin nodded his own encouragement.
The match began. Infernus moved with an elegant economy that belied his size. Where Justin had expected brute force, as had been the case with Eldrin, it seemed Ignis was switching things up. The Fyrspawn noble feinted right, then struck from the left with blinding speed. Justin dodged with Gentleman's Sidestep.
Justin used Poison Barb, but since they didn't even speak the same language, he instead assumed a mocking expression, sticking out his tongue—something that would hopefully transcend even cultures.
Infernus's face twisted in anger as he stumbled a bit. Justin came forward, landing a light hit, but nothing definitive enough to score a victory.
For five more minutes, they tested each other—strike, parry, disengage, circle. Justin landed another glancing blow to Infernus's shoulder, while the Fyrspawn managed to tag Justin's thigh with a quick thrust. Neither was decisive.
Suddenly, Infernus slammed his weapon against the ground, and the impact sent a shockwave through the obsidian tiles. The vibration almost threw Justin off balance. He managed to keep his footing. The crowd roared with approval. Apparently, this skill didn't count as a direct damaging attack.
The Fyrspawn became more aggressive, driving Justin toward the edge of the ring. His Gentleman's Sidestep saved him once again, but Infernus seemed to expect the move this time, adjusting mid-strike to catch Justin off balance. Justin slipped away, aided by Elegance in Motion.
As the fight intensified, Infernus let out the same primal roar as during his match with Eldrin. His flames deepened to a blood-red hue, and the veins in his obsidian skin began to glow with molten light. Each strike now carried such force that Justin's arms ached from deflecting them.
When Justin managed to land another hit, Infernus seemed to absorb the impact, his body tensing before releasing the energy in a strike that almost knocked the spear from Justin's hands.
Justin needed something more. He had been saving his new skill, The Upper Hand, given its long cooldown of six hours, in case he needed it for a real threat.
But it seemed like he wasn't going to win this fight without it. And he wanted to win this fight.
With a quick internal command, he activated his Ascendant skill.
[You now have The Upper Hand. Three charges of Advantage gained.]
In the corner of Justin's vision, he saw the three charges, square icons with a cane and a top hat. Below them was a timer ticking down from sixty seconds.
He felt the power surge through him, each attribute strengthening by +3.
More importantly, he now had options.
Justin first tried to spend all three charges at once on speed, thinking that a 45% boost would make him untouchable.
[Error: Advantage cannot be stacked on the same effect.]
With precious seconds ticking away, Justin decided on a new approach.
He spent his first charge boosting his combat speed by 15%. The difference was subtle but immediate. Infernus's next attack seemed fractionally slower, giving Justin enough time to slide away from what would have been a solid hit.
The Fyrspawn's flames flickered with surprise at Justin's increased quickness.
Infernus responded by rotating his dual-bladed staff in a complex pattern that left afterimages in the air. The weapon began to emit a high-pitched whine as it cut through the air with increasing speed. When he struck, it wasn't a single attack but a barrage of blows coming from multiple angles. It was as though he had doubled his attack speed in an instant.
Justin spent his second charge of Advantage to guarantee a dodge, twisting away with supernatural grace. The crowd gasped as he seemed to flow like water around the whirlwind of strikes.
Infernus growled, his flames sputtering as he advanced again. With a sudden stamp of his foot, he created another tremor, smaller than before, but enough to throw Justin off balance. Justin found himself backed against the edge of the circle, with only seconds remaining before his final charge would disappear.
It was time for an all-or-nothing gamble.
As Infernus launched what he clearly thought would be the finishing blow, his weapon trailing fire through the air, Justin spent his final charge to increase his next attack's damage by 50%. Then, he activated Gentleman's Sidestep, which was off cooldown. He ducked under Infernus's swing, thrusting upward and striking directly at the Fyrspawn's heart with enhanced force.
The Ember Guard flashed brighter than any previous match—signaling a killing blow of exceptional power.
[You have gained 1,000 experience. Your experience stands at 9,400/22,000.]
Justin blinked in surprise at the notification. It was unexpected, since he hadn't actually killed anything, but it was welcome.
The crowd went wild at the unexpected result. Infernus stood, shocked, but then extended a forearm in respect. Justin responded in kind, their flames mingling. Justin realized he could have swapped Affinities to make the fight easier, but in the end, he was glad he hadn't.
Eldrin, Lila, and Emberlyn approached; the latter translated for Infernus.
"Well fought, Talemaker. Few can match me in the Circle of Embers. Your final strike...I would have never expected such power from one of your kind."
"You nearly bested me," Justin said. "It could have gone much differently."
Lord Ashrok approached, his massive form parting the crowd.
"The victory is yours, as is the prize," he said through Emberlyn. "You fight with the cunning of fire itself—unpredictable, adaptable, and precise. You would have made a fine Fyrspawn."
Justin removed his top hat, placing it over his heart. "You honor me, Lord Ashrok."
With a nod from the Fire Lord, an obsidian chest was placed on the floor before Justin and opened.
"You may choose any of the three items within," the Fire Lord said. "Any of them will greatly enhance your adventures."
Justin stepped forward, his monocle logging each item.
The first was a red-glowing Barbarian class core. This would be a great option, giving him extra flexibility when it came time to select his Advanced Class, assuming the core was compatible.
The next item was a small, golden sphere, another Companion Core. This was also an amazing award, since it seemed Companion Cores were quite rare. Justin hadn't even encountered one until the Vault Mimic, but with Atlas now with him, the System might reward them more often.
The final item was a gold ascension crystal. This Justin could use on his Cane of Valoria, if he wanted. He wondered if the Gentleman's Rebuff enchantment might improve, or whether a new enchantment might be added.
"You're not making this easy," Justin said.
"Take your time, Talemaker," Lord Asharok said.
Justin considered. As much as he had taken to Atlas, he discarded the idea of another Companion Core. It would be different if Atlas were closer to Platinum, but as it stood, it would grant Atlas another boon. Definitely useful, but compared to the other two, it wasn't as much of a priority.
Then, there was the Barbarian Core. This was definitely interesting. Right now, Justin had a Scholar Core, a Priest Core, and a Rogue Core. That covered Intellect, Perception, and Coordination. A Barbarian Core would give him access to his first Power class to combine at Level 20. That possibility was hard to say no to.
Then finally, there was the gold ascension crystal. As it stood, his Cane of Valoria was the only piece of gear he could use it on. It would no doubt improve its attribute bonuses, but beyond that, it could strengthen its current enchantments or add a new one in keeping with the cane's theme of making a brave defense.
So, it was either the ascension crystal or the class core.
When making choices, it was usually better to take the thing that influenced his powers directly. Once he unlocked his advanced class, he would have to choose the best option. If he didn't take the Barbarian Core, he would have fewer potential options.
And since he was so close to Level 20, the idea of missing out on a potential advanced class was unthinkable.
Yes, the cane was a part of his identity now, and in certain situations, it might even outclass the platinum-tier Cane of the Drake.
But the class core could be his actual identity. More options were always good.
"I'll take the Barbarian Core," Justin said.
"Well-chosen," Lord Ashrok said. "It is yours, Justin Talemaker."
Justin reached and grabbed the core, stowing it in his pack.
Lord Ashrok motioned to a Fyrspawn attendant, speaking a few sharp words in the Fyrspawn language.
"Pyrana will show you to your quarters," he said. "Rest well. Tomorrow, you can decide your course."
Pyrana, a slender Fyrspawn with amber flames, led them through winding corridors carved into the canyon wall. The passageways widened, and beyond a stone door that opened with a mere touch, lay a stunning suite that took Justin's breath away.
A central firepit burned with red flames that gave off heat without smoke, surrounded by cushioned seating made from some exotic material. Three alcoves branched from the main chamber, each containing a large bed platform hewn from the stone but topped with plush mattresses.
There was even a private balcony that overlooked the canyon, offering a view of the lava river below and the distant Emerald Mountains, now silhouetted against the starry night sky. One of those "stars" was blue. Eyrth, perhaps? It was strange to see it from a distance.
"The Lord's honored guest chambers," Pyrana explained. "Originally designed for visiting dignitaries from the mountain kingdoms."
"It's incredible," Lila said.
"The washroom is through there," Pyrana continued, indicating a small archway. "The pools are fed by an underground spring. The hotter pool is on the left; the cooler one is on the right."
"Fancy," Lila said. "It's like the bathhouses back in Eribar."
"Thank you, Pyrana," Eldrin said.
With a respectful nod, she departed, leaving them to marvel at their accommodations.
Atlas immediately set about exploring the room's perimeter, his sensors whirring. Shadowflight settled on a perch near the balcony, his keen eyes watching the night sky.
"Well," Eldrin said, collapsing onto one of the cushioned seats around the fire pit. "I'd say we've landed on our feet."
Justin felt the weight of the day's journey settling into his bones. The adrenaline from the tournament had faded.
He joined Eldrin by the firepit, watching the flames dance. "Not a bad entrance to this world."
"Not bad at all," Lila agreed, her voice carrying a hint of wonder as she gazed out at the canyon. "Though I have to wonder what tomorrow will bring."
"Whatever it is, at least we'll face it well-rested," Justin said. "Let's consider it...a vacation."
Eldrin chuckled. "You're optimistic. I have a mind to explore these Emerald Mountains. They say the elves on Eyrth were master Alchemists, not only practiced mages. It might be the same here."
"Remember Emberlyn's warning about them," Lila said. "It might not be as easy as you think."
"Well, whatever we do, let's decide tomorrow," Justin said, getting up and stretching. "I'm beat."
Atlas whirred in agreement.
They each headed to their beds. Justin thought of returning Atlas to his companion ring for the night to see how it worked. He didn't think they were in any danger here.
But he decided to have Atlas stay in lower power mode, just in case. It was nice to have a guard now, so all three of them could get some sleep without worry.
As Atlas stood at the foot of Justin's bed, going still, Justin lay down and closed his eyes. Another productive day on Solanis.