Chapter Thirty-One: The Thundergnome

  The moon hung high, its light slicing through the night like a blade, casting a glow on the massive dome of gold and glass ahead. The structure was a fever dream brought to life—an enormous coliseum of sand, glistening under the shimmering dome, a gigantic half-filled snow globe of golden grains. Stadium seating spiraled around the perimeter in a mesmerizing yet disordered dance, rising halfway up the immense structure, as if conjured by a mad architect with a flair for the dramatic. The moonlight painted the glass dome in a ghostly silver.

  Dex, with the flair of a seasoned showman, spread his arms wide. “Behold, the Combat Chamber! Or as I like to call it, the Thunderdome… with bleachers. Citizens and Travelers can duke it out here without, you know, the whole dying bit.”

  They approached a large door marked “Faculty Only.”

  Thistle crossed his arms, eyebrows raised. “Really, Dex? I’ve seen this before. The professors put on a demo every year. It’s impressive, sure, but we’ll see it live at the end of the week. Did you seriously drag me out of bed for this?”

  Dex, undeterred, flashed a roguish grin. “Sure, it’s boring if we’re just looking. But where’s your sense of adventure, my vertically challenged friend? Watch and learn.” With a flourish, he produced a peculiar gadget from his inventory, a cross between a key and a screwdriver. He crouched by the door, his fingers dancing over the lock with finesse, each click and clink echoing through the silent night.

  Thistle crossed his arms. “Even if you could crack that, which you can’t, you need a Faculty Token to activate it. More advanced than your toy, I’m sure.”

  Dex winked. “Oh, my sweet, sweet Thistle. Do you think I keep you around just to make me look tall? You were a Faculty Aid during Orientation, right? If I were a betting man—and I am—I’d bet you haven’t turned in your Token. I know I wouldn’t have, the perks are too sweet.”

  Thistle looked sheepish but shot back, “Okay, wannabe Houdini, what’s your point?”

  “What kind of perks?” Jace asked.

  Dex glanced back while his hands continued to work. “Quite a suite. Faculty and aides get instant success on scans and identifies around campus. Including character names, usernames, and stat blocks!”

  “That’s amazing... and really creepy,” Alice said.

  “I have trouble remembering people’s names. It’s useful.” Thistle shrugged.

  “Thistle, Thistle, Thistle. No judgment here. I’ve been known to carry a few things I’m not supposed to myself. I’m proud of you. But right now, you’re in the unique position of being someone I need help from.” Dex gave him a wink.

  “I’m not risking my butt so you can play rogue. Grow up, Dex. We have classes tomorrow.” He turned to leave.

  Dex stopped fiddling with the lock and called out to Thistle. “What will it take?”

  There was a long pause as Thistle studied him. “I want your plus to dexterity shoes.”

  Dex grimaced and thought it over. He was just about to agree when Thistle added, “And, you can’t refer to my height for a month. Or else, I get to ride around on your shoulders for the rest of the semester.”

  “You can’t be serious!” Dex said. Ell and Alice stifled laughs.

  “Sounds fair,” Jace added.

  “That’s outrageous. I mean, there are going to be so many opportunities... Oh, fine. Deal,” Dex said with a huff.

  Thistle nodded, and they shook hands. “Okay, it’s a deal. But you won’t be able to get in so it really doesn’t—“

  The lock clicked and the door swung open.

  Dex smiled broadly as Thistle sighed in exasperation.

  “Oh, I had that thing cracked ages ago.” He stood and waved them in with a bow. “Alons-y.”

  Thistle rolled his eyes. “You know, sometimes I wonder if you actually have a plan or if you just wing it and hope for the best.”

  Dex laughed, stepping through the door. “A bit of both, my vertical… virtually perfect friend.” Dex choked out, swerving off from a collision.

  “Oh, this is going to be so worth it,” Thistle said, walking in.

  Stepping inside, they found themselves in a control room brimming with an intricate array of dials, pulleys, and levers—more fitting for a steam engine than a mythical world. Sleek, silver pods, reminiscent of oversized Devices and User Interface stones, lined the walls of the room, standing almost monolithic.

  Dex moved towards the control panel, fingers dancing over the buttons and dials like a maestro. “You see,” he said, pulling a lever with a dramatic flourish, “this was a joint project between Travelers and Citizens. My dad had a hand in building it.”

  “How?” Alice breathed, her eyes wide with wonder.

  Dex shrugged, a casual smirk on his face. “Just a bit of earth tech and a whole lot of weird. Welcome to the wild side, folks.”

  Thistle rolled his eyes and slid a coin into a slot, true to his promise. The dials whirred to life. The sand within the dome glowed like molten gold, the grains shifting and swirling as if animated by some unseen force.

  “Keep rolling your eyes, and they’ll get stuck like that,” Ell said, flashing Thistle a playful smile.

  Through a window, they could glimpse the activity within the chamber. A large bowl in the center of the room provided an overview of everything else.

  “Just looks like a lot of sand,” Jace said.

  “It’s technically gold. Well, gold dust,” Dex explained, his eyes gleaming with excitement. “The magic adjusts the chemical structure, rearranging atoms and reconfiguring elements until it forms a whole new world. Think of it as a high-tech, magical alchemy show.”

  “Aren’t we going to get in trouble for using it?” Alice asked, her voice tinged with concern.

  “Oh, don’t be such a worrywart. You can’t get in trouble if you don’t get caught. Besides, where’s your sense of adventure?” Dex hit a few dials, and a countdown timer appeared, starting from fifteen minutes. “There, that should give us enough time to get ready before the fun starts. Plus, no one’s coming here until the annual presentation match, and that’s not for days.”

  Ell grinned. “It’s kinda cool.”

  “This is a terrible idea,” Thistle said, crossing his arms.

  “Surprisingly, I think I’m with Thistle on this one, guys,” Jace said, hesitating. The last thing he needed was to cause any trouble for himself.

  “I don’t know. It could be fun,” Alice chimed in.

  Jace met Alice’s eyes, which sparkled with unexpected mischief, and decided. “Alright, let’s make it a quick match. Just to test our powers, then we’re out. Technically, this is part of the facilities, and we have a chaperone in Thistle, our personal Faculty Aid.”

  “That’s the spirit, Jace. It’s not wrong if you have a loosely assembled excuse,” Dex said, choking back a fake tear. “He takes after me. Oh, they grow up so quickly, don’t they, Ell?”

  “I’m not sure that’s a good thing,” Ell replied.

  They each stepped into one of the sleek, silver pods, the doors closing with a soft hiss. Jace felt the interior hum with energy, the air thick with anticipation. Within moments, a rush hit as his surroundings blurred and shifted in a spiraling vortex of lights. When the lights settled, Jace opened his eyes and found himself standing inside the dome.

  The glass walls from the inside were silvery and impenetrable, offering no visibility of the outside world. Jace looked down to discover his clothes had changed. He noticed that the rest of theirs had too; their usual outfits were gone, replaced by full combat tunics of their Society. Each tunic was adorned with a jewel on the shoulder indicating their Shard: Emerald for Dex, Sapphire for Alice, Amethyst for Ell, Ruby for Thistle, and Moonstone for Jace.

  “Wow,” Jace said, mesmerized by his own transformation. He wore sleek, pitch-black armor adorned with shimmering silver accents that traced intricate patterns along the sleeves and chest. He caught a glimpse of the silver sigil on his back in the dome’s reflection—a fleeting image of a majestic white raven spreading its wings, feathers gleaming against the dark backdrop.

  Dex was clad in flowing, light-colored robes with subtle azure highlights, a loose hood framing his features. Intricate swirls adorned the fabric, hinting at swift, graceful movements. He appeared like a breeze, given form, embodying the essence of an agile swordsman.

  Alice admired herself in a form-fitting, black combat suit that highlighted her short but athletic build. The material blended matte and glossy black with indigo, interwoven with silver threads creating elegant, lethal patterns. Her Sapphire Shard gleamed on her shoulder, and she looked fierce and formidable, a stark contrast to her usual conservative attire.

  Ell stood tall in her Amethyst combat gear, exuding an intimidating presence. Her armor featured a striking mix of black and violet, adorned with sharp, angular designs that seemed to pulse with energy.

  Thistle wore a tunic of deep crimson and dark gold, crafted for durability and strength, with hardened plates at crucial junctures. His Ruby Shard glinted on his shoulder, and his attire possessed an organic essence, as though forged from living materials, which accentuated his lithe form.

  “How’d we get all dressed up?” Jace asked.

  “Technically, we didn’t. Our bodies are still back in the preparation room,” Dex said.

  “How does that work?” Alice asked, still marveling at her new look.

  “It’s all about syncing up with Terra Mythica,” Dex explained. “Our minds control these avatars, while the magic handles the rest. It’s like our mind, body, and soul are sharing an apartment, you know?”

  “This is going to be good,” Thistle muttered.

  Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

  Ignoring him, Dex continued, “They’re connected but can operate independently. These pods let us jump in, transferring our consciousness into avatars made from the same golden dust as everything else here. Honestly, it’s way above my pay grade.”

  “So all our magic is here because it’s part of our minds and souls?” Alice asked.

  “Beats me,” Dex replied, hopping from foot to foot and kicking up golden mist. “Couldn’t care less. Now, come on, let’s see what this place can really do!”

  Above them, the glass dome stood like a silent guardian, its crystalline surface reflecting the moon’s light into a thousand fragmented beams, casting a mosaic of luminescence across the dunes below.

  Up close, Jace understood what Dex had been trying to say—it wasn’t sand at all. It was a kind of golden dust, shimmering at the slightest touch, suspended somewhere between liquid and solid. Each fine particle glittered with its own light, tiny motes drifting into the air with every breath.

  As the countdown reached ten minutes, the dome sprang to life, soaring into the air and swirling around them in a whirlwind of chaos. Inside, the dust coalesced into a golden vortex. Then, in an instant, it settled and vanished, revealing a lush, tropical jungle in its place. The transformation was seamless, leaving not a speck of gold behind.

  They now stood in the heart of a vibrant tropical forest. Towering trees with broad, emerald leaves formed a dense canopy overhead, filtering the sunlight into a mosaic of gold and green. Vines twisted around the trunks, adorned with bright, exotic flowers. Jace breathed deeply, savoring the scent of blooming flora and the sound of distant waterfalls as they mingled with the chirps and calls of unseen creatures. The last vestiges of the moon and night had vanished, replaced by a late afternoon sky illuminated by a magical orange sun.

  “You know, if I were the chosen of Zeus, I think I’d call this place…” Thistle grinned wide, his eyes gleaming in awe. “The Thundergnome.”

  They all groaned at the same time at the pun.

  Jace checked his inventory. His items were still there and available to him.

  The clock ticked down.

  9 Minutes and 32 Seconds Until Battle Commencement

  “Okay, I’ve set it to have us fighting test dummies,” Dex said. “Should be a cakewalk. But let’s form a party so we can see each other’s stats and abilities as we go.” He reached out his hand, and a silver stone appeared—the User Interface Stones Jace thought had been destroyed during calibration.

  Alice and Ell did the same, their stones shimmering into existence.

  “How did you…?” Jace began.

  “Just will it out. It’s still inside you, like your Shard. It’s always there. Where do you think your Interface comes from?” Dex grinned.

  Jace focused, and the silver stone materialized in his hand. A notification popped up.

  Traveler Dex has formed a party.

  You have been invited to join Dex’s party.

  Accept | Reject

  Note: Current visibility settings will allow all party members to view your active status effects, Affinities, skills, and attributes. Visibility settings are determined by the party leader upon formation. If you do not wish to display this information, please reject and request changes before joining.

  Jace accepted, and a flood of data hit him instantly. Blue prompts filled his vision, blocking out the world.

  “Hide! Close! Dim!” he shouted.

  The prompts vanished.

  “Sorry about that, should have warned you,” Dex said, smirking. “Set your prompts to Important Only and View All Others Later.”

  Jace did as suggested.

  “Alright, team, we’ve got a few minutes before the attackers show up. Wanna show off your skills?” Dex prompted.

  Alice stepped forward, nervous but eager. She raised her hand, and a sapphire light enveloped her. Before her, a large tome materialized, floating within reach. The book looked ancient, its cover shifting and shimmering like it was alive. She flipped it open, revealing mostly blank pages with intricate runes along the edges.

  “I gained an Affinity for hidden knowledge,” Alice said. “My Word of Power is Secrets.”

  She began to chant softly, her fingers tracing the glowing runes. The air around her shimmered, and two spells inscribed themselves onto the pages of her tome: one for detection and the other for concealment.

  Jace noticed a small blinking notification icon appear. He selected it.

  Part Member Alice Candor Has Revealed the Following Information

  Word of Power: Secrets.

  Abilities:

  ? Summon Tome of Secrets: Collect hidden knowledge to unlock spells and special abilities. Current secrets revealed: 2.

  Aether Cost: None.

  ? Spells Available -

  o Arcane Detection: Reveals hidden or magical objects and entities within a radius. Five-minute preparation.

  Aether Cost: Moderate.

  o Veil of Shadows: Conceals the caster and allies from sight, blending them into the environment. Requires continued casting to maintain.

  Aether Cost: Moderate.

  Current Boons:

  ? Enhanced Knowledge Gathering: Bonus to Investigation, History, and Arcane Studies.

  ? Intelligence Boost: Increased intelligence attribute.

  Alice’s sapphire shard glowed softly, surrounding her with an ethereal aura. “I can summon this tome and read spells from it. It’s mostly blank now, but as I level up, I’ll be able to add more spells. I have to find them first, though.”

  Dex nodded. “Nice, Alice. That’s really cool. Slow, but really cool. Who’s next?”

  Ell stepped up next, her Amethyst Shard glowing with a deep, regal purple. She grinned.

  With a touch on his arm, she conjured a shimmering force shield around Dex, causing him to jump back startled. “Relax, it doesn’t hurt you, dummy. It’s a Force Shield. Right now, it’s at Touch Scope, so I have to be in contact. It’ll give a glowing protective barrier that cuts most damage by half.”

  Dex stepped closer, and she activated the shield again. He tested it with a jab at his own arm. “I feel pretty,” he said, watching purple sparks glisten where he touched.

  Ell continued, her eyes now taking on an eerie glow. “And then there’s this. I call it the Pathfinder’s Sight. It highlights the easiest path between me and wherever I want to go. I think I can share it with you...” A golden trail appeared, zigzagging through imaginary obstacles before vanishing.

  “The third ability is harder to show. Basically, I can spot weaknesses.”

  Jace opened the prompt.

  Party Member Ell Has Revealed the Following Information

  Word of Power: Strategy

  Abilities:

  ? Force Shield: Touch-activated, reduces incoming physical damage by 50%.

  Aether Cost: Variable depending upon damage.

  ? Pathfinder’s Sight: Highlights the easiest path to a destination and helps predict potential dangers.

  Aether Cost: Negligible.

  ? Spot Weaknesses: 50% boost to detecting opponent weaknesses and reduces EXP cost for perception-based abilities.

  Aether Cost: None.

  Current Boons:

  ? Survival: Enhanced survival skills, increasing resilience and adaptability in various environments.

  ? Insight: Improved ability to understand and anticipate enemy tactics, granting a strategic advantage in combat.

  ? Perceptiveness: Heightened senses, allowing for quicker detection of hidden threats and opportunities.

  Dex clapped. “Impressive, Ell. Now, my turn.”

  He stepped into the spotlight, twirling his rapier with a flourish. “Word of Power: Dance.” He winked at Alice, who scoffed playfully. “Watch closely, folks.”

  In an instant, a slender rapier appeared in his hands. With fluid grace, he began to move, each step and strike part of an intricate, deadly ballet. His rapier became an extension of his body, slicing through the air with pinpoint accuracy. The movements were mesmerizing, each flourish was a blend of lethal precision and effortless elegance.

  Party Member Dex Has Revealed the Following Information

  Word of Power: Dance

  Abilities:

  ? Dancing Sword: Conjure a magically imbued rapier. Master a fluid, graceful combat style with increased agility and precision. +5% chance to bypass all defenses, +25% attack speed, +15% critical hit chance.

  Aether Cost: Negligible.

  ? Evasive Waltz: Enhance your ability to dodge attacks with swift, nimble movements. +30% evasion rate, +20% movement speed.

  Aether Cost: None.

  Current Boons:

  ? Agility Boost: Increases overall agility, enhancing speed and reaction time.

  ? Evasion Mastery: Enhances ability to dodge and avoid attacks.

  ? Puckish Charm: Increases chances of getting out of trouble.

  Dex finished his display with a dramatic bow.

  “That last one has to be a System joke,” Ell quipped.

  “Thistle, you’re up,” Dex said.

  Thistle rubbed the back of his neck sheepishly. “You know how I had to end early last year because of some real-world stuff? Well, I just got my Affinity, and I’m not entirely sure how to use it yet.”

  Dex clapped his hands together. “Just give it a shot. We’re all learning here. No judgment, right, gang?”

  Everyone nodded in agreement.

  Thistle activated his Affinity. “I’ve only got one thing figured out so far.”

  He held out his arms, and the transformation began. Muscles bulged and expanded rapidly as he grew taller and broader. His arms lengthened, bulging with new strength, and his legs thickened, grounding him like tree trunks. His hands, once nimble and quick, swelled to the size of pizzas, fingers transforming into powerful digits.

  His shoulders broadened, straining his clothes to the limit. His neck thickened, and his face took on rugged, chiseled features. With a deep, resonant rumble, his voice dropped several octaves, echoing like a bass drum.

  “What do you think?” Thistle asked, towering over the others.

  Dex grinned, eyes wide with approval. “You dirty rat bastard,” he laughed. “Oh, you made me promise... but... you knew.”

  Thistle laughed, a booming sound. “Can’t mention my height or you know the consequences,” he chided.

  “My man, this is epic,” Dex said.

  “Gnome tank. I get it now,” Jace said.

  The others nodded in agreement, equally impressed.

  Thistle beamed with pride and took a tentative step forward, but his newfound size proved challenging. He tripped, his massive body crashing into the sand with a loud thump. The others scrambled to get out of the way as he reverted back to his gnome form, looking sheepish as he dusted himself off.

  “I haven’t quite gotten the controls worked out,” he admitted, his voice back to its usual tone.

  “No kidding,” Dex said with a smirk.

  Party Member Thistle Has Revealed the Following Information

  Word of Power: Size

  Abilities:

  ? Gigantify: Enter Giant Form, temporarily transform into a half-giant, significantly increasing size and strength. +100% Strength, +150% Defense.

  Aether Cost: Moderate.

  Current Boons:

  ? Strength Surge: Increases overall strength, enhancing physical power while in Giant Form.

  ? Resilience Boost: Improves durability and resistance to physical damage while in Giant Form.

  ? Intimidation Factor: Increases presence, making enemies more likely to hesitate or flee while in Giant Form.

  The countdown timer reached the final ten seconds until battle commencement.

  “Well, Jace, you’ll just have to show us what you’ve got in action. Contestants, we are out of time,” Dex announced.

  “Here we go,” Jace said, steeling himself.

  “Dex, what happens if we die?” Alice asked, her voice tinged with worry.

  “Hardly possible. I set it to the lowest setting,” Dex replied confidently.

  “But if we do?”

  “It’s set to Beginner Mode. So, if we get seriously injured or our hit points drop below 50%, we instantly return to our bodies and these avatars turn back into dust.”

  That made Jace feel slightly better, but only slightly.

  As the timer reached zero, they looked up, then clutched their ears in pain as a loud, high-pitched sound pierced through them, sending them into agony. The sound disappeared as quickly as it came, replaced by a prompt flashing in front of each of their eyes.

  System Error

  “What is happening, Dex?” Ell demanded.

  System Adjusting For Error

  ? Modified Instructions Accepted

  ? Damage Reduction: Disabled

  ? Pain Reduction: Disabled

  ? Damage Transference: Enabled

  ? DEATHMATCH: Enabled

  The sky darkened to a starless night, and a sense of foreboding crept into every shadow. The green banner overhead turned a menacing red as a chill settled over the arena.

  Monsters began to materialize in the distance, their forms twisted and terrifying. Undead spiders with rotting exoskeletons and eerie green eyes skittered towards them. From the distant darkness, a colossal figure loomed, a mountainous form blocking out the low-hanging moon. Its bulbous head was grotesque and towering, eight eyes glowing with a sickly green. It moved with an unsettling, predatory grace, each step sending tremors through the ground.

  “Did the Chamber just create a mountain? Please tell me you told it to create a mountain, Dex,” Ell said.

  Alice spoke quietly, “That’s no mountain.”

  “This is the easiest setting?” Jace asked, wide-eyed.

  Dex shrugged, his face pale. “I never said I really knew how to set this thing up.”