Chapter Fourteen: Armor and Hope

The grilled lizard tasted better than I’d expected when Captain Varashan had handed it to me. I held the waterskin he gifted me in my opposing hand.

I tore off another bite, chewing thoughtfully as I walked beside Anahara and Varashan through the winding streets of Daruvasht.

Gwyn padded silently next to me, her eyes watchful. After a moment, I offered her some of the meat.

“Thank you, my lady, but I do not require food,” Gwyn replied calmly. “I survive on your mana.”

“Oh,” I said awkwardly, lowering my hand.

Neither Varashan nor Anahara seemed surprised at her ability to speak. Apparently, a three-eyed panther talking wasn’t particularly shocking for people who’d lived through what they had.

We continued walking, mostly in companionable silence, until we reached a modest building. It was crafted of the same silvery-white stone that seemed ubiquitous here. The front door stood partially open, warmth and the scent of worn leather wafting out.

Inside, an older Caliban man hunched over a worktable, meticulously stitching a piece of leather. A cracked monocle sat upon his weathered face, looking ancient but carefully preserved. My eyes immediately flicked to his nameplate.

[Tavaryon, Level 35]

Even higher level than Anahara. But looking at him, I couldn’t picture him as a warrior or even a mage, though he carried a bit more of the latter’s vibe.

“Tavaryon,” Anahara said warmly. “We have a guest. This is Clarissa. She has access to the System and has offered to aid our city. She needs your assistance.”

Tavaryon adjusted his monocle, squinting curiously at me. “If anyone else told me that, I’d likely laugh them out of my shop. What can I do to help?”

“I need armor,” I answered. “Something light, flexible. I might be fighting some elite monsters soon."

Tavaryon studied me carefully, eyes shrewd behind the monocle. “I might have some fur and leather armor I can adjust for you.” He hesitated, apparently noting my mannerisms even beneath the borrowed robes. “You hold yourself like a swordsman. Did you need a weapon as well? I have a forge out back.”

I shook my head gently. “Just armor. But I was hoping you could use this.” I summoned the System’s Monsterhide Armor pattern from my inventory.

Tavaryon’s eyes sparked with excitement. “May I?”

“Yeah, sure,” I said, passing him the stack of bound pages filled with symbols I couldn’t read.

He flipped eagerly through them before pausing, looking back at me cautiously. “You understand if I add this to my crafting recipes, it’ll be consumed, correct? I couldn’t give it back even if I wanted to after that."

“That’s fine,” I replied firmly. “I can't spare points for crafting skills right now. You could use it for the city too. Make sure everyone who might need it gets better armor.”

His mouth opened slightly in shock. “I’d be delighted to. It’s been centuries since I’ve seen a System pattern of this tier. And I never actually got to use one like this. Are you truly sure?”

“I’m sure.”

Tavaryon frowned slightly, excitement fading. “There’s one more issue. This pattern requires crafting components beyond anything I have or can get. For you or for others."

I smiled at him. “May I?” I asked, imitating his earlier tone a bit, stepping toward an empty workbench.

He nodded curiously, acquiesced to me. “Please.”

I summoned the massive, brilliantly white pelt of the Western Ruler, its mana-infused runes still glowing gently. Beside it, I placed the enormous plates of dark grey Cavern Crawler chitin.

Tavaryon’s eyes widened dramatically. “Is that—?”

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Anahara chuckled softly. “Yes, the Western Ruler’s pelt and Cavern Crawler armor. Clarissa, it seems is stronger than her level implies.”

Tavaryon blinked. “But how—unless...”

“I’ve got a few world’s first rewards,” I admitted, shrugging modestly. "I need the armor to take on the other Rulers."

He touched the pelt reverently, as though fearing it might vanish. “I’ll need your measurements. With these materials, I can craft one very fine suit of armor. But it’ll take several days. Likely a week.”

“I’m excited to see it,” I admitted. “But, could I still get the adjusted leather armor you mentioned? At least for now. And I plan on bringing back more monster pieces so you can make additional armor for everyone.”

“You plan to bring more?” Tavaryon asked, looking startled.

“Maybe not Ruler-level stuff, but strong enough. If Captain Varashan tells me where the worst monsters in the tunnels are?"

Varashan inclined his head deeply, eyes gleaming in a way I wasn't sure I'd seen before. “I will escort you myself.”

Tavaryon absorbed his words carefully. “Then… yes, of course. I can have leather armor ready for you by tonight. If you're willing to be measured now?”

I glanced to Anahara and Varashan. “Is that okay?”

Anahara nodded kindly. “I'll wait here and speak with you more afterward. Captain Varashan, perhaps we meet at my residence tomorrow morning?”

Varashan nodded eagerly. “Would you be prepared to hunt monsters by then, Clarissa?”

I hesitated briefly, remembering the adrenaline and terror laced euphoria of my previous battles. “I think so.”

“Then I'll return to my duties,” Varashan said with a respectful bow. “Until tomorrow.”

Once he’d left, I glanced at Anahara. “He seemed excited.”

She smiled softly. “I haven't seen that fire in his eyes since we first claimed Daruvasht. He'll likely arrive to collect you at dawn.”

“Dawn… underground?”

“The city’s magic simulates nightfall too. You’ll have darkness to sleep by tonight.”

“And I'll be staying at your home?”

“Yes,” she replied warmly. “Sorayelle and I have room for you. I promised you'd be part of my House, if you'd still like to. You're Calibani now. You deserve family.”

I hesitated. “What does joining a House mean exactly?”

“It means you'll be seen as kin. Recognized as an adopted scion of a noble lineage. Perhaps that matters less now than it once did, but you've more than earned the honor after slaying the Western Ruler.”

"I... don't mean to be disrespectful, but you just met me? And wasn't the Western Ruler sorta protecting you from the Southern Ruler?"

"She was once a sacred beast. She deserved to be put out of her misery, Clarissa. It was an act as great and as merciful as any undertaken by heroes past."

"I only killed her so I could survive," I admitted. "It couldn't be mercy because I didn't know what was going on with her."

She smiled at me softly. "And yet you know much more now, and still plan to risk your life for everyone I love. You deserve to have a connection to those whom you would save, yes?"

"I mean, I feel bad for everyone, but it's still for me too," I said. "For my people and my real family."

"Clarissa, I say this not to upset you, but you do not know how your people will react when you return wearing a face that is not your previous one--but a new face that I assume is unlike their's. Perhaps you hail from a world that is much more tolerant than this one, but here at least you would always have a home granted to you for your deeds past and future," she said and hesitated. "And if you were to pass, we would be able to mourn you with the proper rites if we could call you our own."

If I were to pass. That was dark.

But... she might have a point about how humans might react to me. How would my mom or sister see me when I was so different now--and when my main stat would inevitably keep changing me? Would they even believe I was me when I told them who I am?

"I--yeah maybe," I replied.

"I may be wrong. I hope I am. But will you accept my offer? I believe it would go far in giving the people hope as well," she said. "To know that a member of a Great House is now fighting for them once more--and not merely helping them cling to past glories."

I paused. What would saying yes do to hurt me? If it would help others? And maybe it would give me some sort of stronger connection to my new self.

“Sure, thank you,” I agreed, feeling awkward but grateful for what the offer meant.

Anahara inclined her head gratefully and in acceptance of my words.

Tavaryon returned, measurement tools ready. “Are you prepared?”

I nodded. “Yes.”

Gwyn yawned, and brushed by me, rubbing me to comfort me. And then she plodded over to and balled comfortably in a large corner by the door.

***SCENE BREAK***

The next day, snug in my adjusted leather armor, Gwyn and I followed Varashan through darker tunnels outside the city.

The leather armor Tavaryon had provided fit almost perfectly, boosting my Armor-Class by six. It was far better than nothing.

“How far?” I asked softly.

“Steelclaws lurk nearby,” Varashan explained, holding an especially bright glowing crystal aloft. “Their natural weapons are dangerous, but their defense is only moderate. Your fire spells will be especially effective, they hate bright light.”

We'd already discussed our individual capabilities before leaving the city. Something Varashan had insisted on.

The calibani knight apparently specialized in precision strikes at mid-range with his spear. I'd explained my hybrid style: offensive spell-casting, quick melee strikes, and the idea I had to begin to rely on Gwyn to tank.

I'd also mentioned to Varashan that I had an aura skill that could boost Strength in my allies by half my Charisma score. When I'd told him my current Charisma, his eyes had widened as he realized just how much stronger just fighting beside me could make him.

Suddenly, Varashan raised his hand sharply. Gwyn sniffed the air, her ears alert.

“They're close, my lady," she warned, a low growl vibrating softly in her chest. "I can smell their metallic stink."