Zenith Affinity

“So, this is it, huh?” Zaria asked.

“I mean, it’s a stall. What more do you want from it? I got one with shade at least,” Zedra defended.

“She’s right, we need a flag or something,” Sky said.

“Like a guild flag?

“Absolutely. We could even get a sign that details our services or something, you know?”

Zedra sighed, “I will leave that to you, but for now, I am going to go check prices for tier 2 ascension discs, and maybe offload some of our stuff. You lot hold down the fort, yeah?”

“You got it,” Sky said.

Zedra headed off to the Adventuring Association, since they had their own trading house that was locked behind membership with the Association. It would be the first place that players look for [Attuned Ascension Ritual Discs]. They had made a solid amount both to keep and sell.

It took a while, but the square slowly began to populate as the sun fully rose. Other representatives of local NPC guilds and merchants that had traveling carts and even their beasts of burden loitering around, all began to set up shop. Less than a handful were players, and the few that were all moved around with purpose. The first group to finally approach their stall was a massive Nothdren Barbarian and a cute middle-aged human woman with the cleric class.

The way they interacted drew attention, as it was clear they weren’t friends, but family. The lady had a slightly tired, but happy smile on her face, and she seemed hopeful when staring at Sky and their stall. Most of the Zenith Star Guild was currently relaxing back at the warehouse they were using as an inn, and it was just Zaria, Sky, Ar’Gen, Kesa, and Dark Hero at the stall. They had formed a sort of half circle under the awning and were chit-chatting as the two approached the stall.

Sky had placed the Zenith Star symbol, [★], with the brackets, on a piece of scrap wood with some precise burns from her solar magic. It would at least signal that they were players and were offering something, including a guild.

“Hello-”

“Mom, don’t,” the huge barbarian interrupted with the embarrassment of a teenager.

“It’s fine, dear. Now, I see that you are all part of a guild, and while we might not be experienced players, or even people that intend to do much fighting, we are still people from Earth and are sick and tired of sleeping on the streets!” The mom with the name ‘Aralen, Cleric’ floating over her head said.

Sky stood up, “Hello, I am Sky, the Guild Master of Zenith Star Guild. Are you stuck without a place to stay?”

The woman sighed, “Well, just like you, it seems we are stuck in this new world with no way out, and are looking for a place to call home. It is exceedingly difficult to find any sort of lodging without money, and I don’t want my son to go fight monsters. He’s just a boy, despite his huge body.”

‘SmashKill, Barbarian’ was currently standing behind his firecracker of a mother as if he couldn’t be seen. He towered over her and refused to make eye contact with anyone from the guild.

“I see, and you are looking for a place to stay, or are you looking for a place to live?” Sky asked.

“What do you mean, dear?”

“I mean that we are in a new world, you are not wrong, and there is no going back. I would like to know if you are looking for a new place in this world, or just a place to stay for a time?”

“Well, I refuse to let my son fight monsters!”

Sky smiled, “That isn’t what I asked. He is clearly a gamer, and obviously, you wanted to be a part of that with him. But now we are in a new world, and despite the dangers, there are plenty of things you can do here without facing combat.”

“Go on,” Aralen said. She was curious, but apprehensive. “So far, everyone we have asked for help has pretty much told us to get lost.”

“I understand that there probably aren't many guilds just yet, but we have seen a few. I imagine that they wouldn’t be looking for you to join on account of refusing to fight, would they?”

She seemed to deflate a bit, “Yes, it seems most player guilds so far don’t want people that aren’t willing to fight. But I refuse to force my son to sleep on the streets, and we are at the point where there is nowhere to turn to.”

“Okay, I have a few questions for you then, if you don’t mind.”

“Of course,” she nodded.

“What do you like to do? Did you have any hobbies back on earth?”

She seemed surprised by the question, “Oh, well, I loved baking. It seems that won’t be a thing any time soon, however.”

Sky turned to the rest with a huge smile, and they all seemed to agree. “Okay, and how would you feel about moving cities? Away from this huge population to a more…coastal city? One that isn’t a human city?”

“A non-human city? Would it be dangerous? And…we don’t have money.”

“Only the trip there, but we will set you up in a nearby city until we can portal you to it, so that isn’t a problem. Have you heard of the Crystal City?”

Aralen turned to her son with an eyebrow raised, “Have you?”

He shook his head, and his deep voice rang out, though its cadence and tone showed that he was hiding a youthful soul, “I don’t know much besides the north part of the map.”

Sky smiled, “Alright, well, it’s a gorgeous place, and we will be heading out there within 2 to 3 weeks if things go right. If you are alright with that, we could always use a new baker in the guild. You won’t be required to fight or anything, and money won’t be a problem. All you have to do is bake, and to be honest, I think we could all use a guild mom.”

Aralen’s eyes light up, “Really?”

“Oh yes, and we have a warehouse that we are staying in right now as a guild. It isn’t much besides a bunch of cots and stuff, but it is warm, and we have food. You are welcome to stay there until we leave, whether you join with us or not.”

The tension and tightness behind her eyes seemed to relax, like she had finally found some hope. Sleeping on the streets is never fun, regardless of the climate. Not having a space to call your own is rough enough, but having nothing at all is worse.

“I…are you sure?”

“Of course!” Sky sent out guild invites, recruiting the first duo of the day. Both were level 3, probably from exploring the city, and their eyes zoned out as they accepted the guild invites. Aralen walked over and hugged Sky with a tear-filled motherly embrace. She just had the vibe of a mother, and she was trying to

The guild tag popped up on both of their name plates seconds later, now representing the Zenith Star Guild with the [★] symbol.

_________________________________________________

Guild Chat:

Solara Sky: Please welcome Alara and Smash to the guild!

Kesa Ivy: Welcome!

Dark Hero: Welcome

Zaria Flamesoul: Hi HI!

Ar’gen Lightfist: An honour to have you both!

……

_________________________________________________

≪ ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ≫

The day went by slowly, and the guild wasn’t able to recruit anyone else, though a few players came by looking for enchantments, which Sky readily provided. Most were the Affinity enhancement enchantment that she learned from disenchanting Zaria’s spear. It was the most common weapon enchantment, especially for tier 1 and 2, but it was just a flat affinity increase to attacks or spells, depending on the weapon.

A party of level 20-23 players finally approached, and Sky stood up to greet them. The leader was an intimidating member of the Triton species, one of the few aquatic races of Zenith World. He had a sharp-featured face with fin-like ears and clear oceanic blue eyes.

“Greetings,” Ren Tidecrest said. He didn’t recognize the Zenith Star symbol, and since [Reality Check] was now in a guild, the party name was no longer displayed.

That wasn’t the same for the members of Zenith Star, who immediately recognized Ren’s party name.

‘Ren Tidecrest, Blade Dancer [Sword Souls]’

“Ren of the [Sword Souls], huh?”

The triton, who stood over six feet with a lithe swimmer's body, seemed unsurprised that his party name was recognized.

“That’s right,” He said curiously.

“How does it feel to be number 2?”

A frown crossed his face at the confident and challenging smile Sky wore. “How do you figure?”

“Well, our party [Reality Check] started the Zenith Star Guild, and we were the first to complete a dungeon!”

“Heh, is that right?” Ren didn’t seem to care that she had challenged him; he just looked surprised, even exchanging glances with the sole human in his party.

“That’s right!” Dark said as he stood up and walked over. Nothing was hostile, and Dark had a huge grin matching Sky’s.

Ar’Gen and Zaria headed back a while ago to lead Alara and her son back to the warehouse they were laid up in, after purchasing them sleeping supplies and a meal. It wasn’t clear how many players were sleeping on the streets, but a large percentage seemed nervous to actually go and fight.

“I see, so you will be joining the PvP tournament then, number one?” Ren challenged back.

That didn’t deter Sky at all as her eyes lit up, “There is a PvP tournament!?”

“Of course, sign-ups have already started, but I wager there aren't many Tier 2's, so you should make it if you head over now. And if you are as cocky as you have been so far, then you will surely do well in the tournament,” Ren said, his smile turning predatory, like that of a shark.

Sky turned to Dark, “We have to tell everyone!”

“Telling the guild right now!”

Sky’s energy seemed to have...skyrocketed since finding out about the tournament, and questions began to pour out, “So, how is it divided? Are we separated by tiers? Are you going to hit Tier 2 before the tournament?”

Ren laughed, and one of his party members spoke up.

“Of course, we were looking for someone to enchant our ritual discs. We are going to try and hit tier 2 tonight to be ready for the tournament,” the human with ‘Baron Vane, Duelist’ over his head replied.

“And to answer your other myriad of questions, it is separated by the tiers, four consecutive events, though there are only a dozen or so entering at tier 2, and even fewer above that. No players in tier 3 yet, obviously, but there are some nobles in Ostbury and even some guards, which will make it quite the show,” Ren added.

“I see, well, if you actually make it to tier 2, do you want to make a wager?”

“Oh? What did you have in mind?”

“I don’t know…nothing serious,” Sky led on.

Ren laughed, “Spill it, angel.”

Sky scoffed, though Celestials were obviously tied to the idea of angels, even in this universe with different pantheons. “Alright, well, you and I will have to fight, whether that’s in the tournament or outside of it in a duel. Either way, if I win, you and your party will join our guild!”

Dark laughed, “Not a bad idea at all, Sky!”

Baron Vane laughed, “The first two dungeon clearing parties in one guild…that isn’t bad.”

“And what if we win?”

“I will enchant your tier 2 gear for free; you just bring the supplies, and I won’t charge service fees.”

“Do you even have good enchantments?”

“I have everything you could possibly need in tier 2, ya scrubs.”

That drew a laugh from both Ren and Sky’s party.

“Alright, Solara-”

“Just call me Sky.”

“Alright, Sky,” Ren held his blue hand out, “You got yourself a deal.”

Sky shook his hand properly, while making eye contact and with a firm and solid grip, “Deal.”

They were about to walk away, but Baron Vane nudged Ren.

“Oh…uh, yeah, sorry. Can you enchant [Attuned Ascension Ritual Discs]?”

"Those won't be free," Sky smiled.

≪ ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ≫

“Sky, this tournament could take several days,” Zaria complained.

“So?”

“So, you said we would be out of here in just a couple of days, to find the next dungeon or whatever!”

“We’ve only recruited 2 people, and have yet to find [Nature Green] a tank. We still have things to do here, and if at least a half-dozen of us join the PvP tournament, then we will be getting our name out there. We need at least a couple of parties to join us anyway.”

“She’s not wrong, Zaria, don’t forget we need 50 members when we get to Crystal City,” Ar’Gen spoke up. “Not only that, but most of them need to be level 40 or higher for us to head out, isn’t that right, Sky?”

“Yeah, the area around Itzatl is all level 40’s and up, and to make it through that jungle, we need mounts…it’s just a nightmare without it. Even back in the game, that place was rough.”

“Itzatl? I haven’t heard that name. Where is it?” Zaria asked.

Zedra popped up out of nowhere, “That is the closest sky whale port on the Celestra Continent. That’s where the Crystal City is, though it’s way southwest of the sauria and kainen city of Itzatl. That is where we will be going and where we will be taking anyone that isn’t high enough level to make the jungle crossing to Prism Port, which is where the road to the Crystal City starts. It’s a journey, Zaria, make no mistake.”

“There you have it, we take the Sky Whale service over to Itzatl, which might take a week or so, then start leveling up as we cross the jungle. If we time it right, we can make it to Prism Port at level 49 or so,” Sky continued.

“Hold on, what are the…Sauria?” Zaria asked.

“They are a non-playable race that was supposed to be in a future expansion…but we got pulled into this world before it was ever released,” Zedra explained. “They are a cool-looking lizard-like race of people, and there is a decent population of them in the kainen city. I am pretty sure they help rule it to some degree.”

“What is Itzatl like?”

“It’s beautiful. A giant pyramid of grey-ish stone that sits between several valleys on the edge of the coast. It’s strange because the mountains are so high and steep that they look like cliffs. Each of the three valleys is covered in extremely dense jungle, and the raptor riders are constantly clearing room for the tram and roadways.

"The pyramid is super unique as well, with rope bridges, cargo-net style ladders, and very high and dangerous walkways. It was definitely made with those who live there in mind. They can easily traverse the jungle environment, and it’s reflected in how they built the interior of the pyramid. It’s a cool city, even has a couple guild halls, I think, though I am pretty sure one of them is underground.”

≪ ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ≫

[Pink Lotus] had finally found some time and space to be by themselves as a party since ascending to tier 2. They were currently eating at a nice restaurant that had closed-booth rooms where they wouldn’t be overheard.

After the first course came, Alisha spoke up, “So, Ash, can I ask you what made you want to start listening to Sky? From the moment you met her, you seemed to treat her with disdain and almost aggression.”

“Yeah, that is strange. Then you were listening to her advice as far as skills go, and that is something I know you would never have done before,” Sera added.

Ash put her bread down and sighed, “I think I know who she really is.”

She sat quietly for a moment until Helga prompted her, “Don’t leave us hanging!”

Ashariel took a deep breath, “I think she is the true daughter of Solaria.”

Helga laughed, and the rest of her party even looked skeptical to some degree. This didn’t help Ash’s mood, which had been quiet and broody since they arrived back in Ostbury.

“Be serious, Ash, what is it about her? Do you have a crush or something?” Alisha asked.

“No! I am not kidding! Look, I have my reasons for believing it, just forget about it!”

“No way, you are not leaving us like that, you have to tell us now!”

Ash sighed, perhaps seeing the writing on the wall; her party wouldn’t let her live it down without at least part of an answer.

“Fine, there are a couple of things, but before I talk about that…you know how Celestials are blessed when we are children?”

“Not really,” Helga replied.

“When we are 5 years old, or a ‘handful of years’ as they call it,” Ash gestured to her five fingers. “We go to one of the temples of the Celestial pantheon, preferably our progenitor. I am a born Valkyrie, so I was blessed by Neri, Goddess of Honor and the first Valkyrie. There is more about it than just a blessing, but we essentially get to meet the god of choice for a moment, and when it happens, you feel their aura.”

Ash’s eyes stared off into her distant memories, reliving the moment she met Neri, “There is nothing quite like the feeling of a goddess in front of you. The pressure, the power, the aura…it’s their domain manifesting around them. Nothing like it at all.”

“Okay…what does this have to do with Sky?”

“I am getting there…” Ash said, taking a sip of water. “When Sky’s ascension ritual activated, I felt that same divine aura, but it didn’t come from her; it came from the…sky. Above her. It reached down and pulled her away. When she came back, she had that same feeling, if only drastically reduced. Plus, her golden ring is also a blessed artifact, I am sure. You all saw it, right?”

“Yes, the golden glowing ring is hard to miss,” Sera said.

“It was, yeah. On top of that, she perfectly matches the description: blue hair, golden eyes, and wings, and her name is literally Solara Sky. No celestial would ever name their child that, not unless you want to be killed for blasphemy or whatever. I promise you that the moment she is discovered by the celestials in the Crystal City, people will go crazy. There is no doubt about it.”

“Should we warn her? I mean, everyone?” Alisha asked.

Ash shrugged. “I don’t know, but I will say this. If she dies or is seriously injured…” She shook her head, “I don’t know, but expect the worst. I can’t even imagine what the Host will do.”

“The Host?”

“The Celestial Host, the council that all of our race answers to, the people that run our temples and everything. Once they learn that Sky is here, expect a huge envoy. I don’t know if anyone at the Osten Guild would have recognized it besides me and that Zaria girl, but if anyone did…”

She left the sentence open-ended, as she didn’t know what else there could be to say about it.

“I will also say this, as a Valkyrie, both Zaria and I are obligated to protect her along with any Celestial that finds her.”

It was Alisha’s turn to sigh, “I guess we need to tell them what we know, huh?”

“Yeah, I would think so.”