Zenith Affinity

The end of the day came with a few bottles of cheap wine and surprisingly good street food. One vendor had a sort of mini sandwich that you could buy by the dozen. A delicious aioli sauce over some roasted pork-like meat and the token veggies that bring everything together, a sort of fantastical BLT. The guild acquired about 10 platters of them, clearing out the vendor in one swoop.

Before the guild left the Adventuring Association, Sky drew out a promise from Selena Blackwood that they would either meet them at the West Gate by 10 a.m. or they wouldn’t join the guild. Sky had hope, though, as the Witch seemed relatively enthusiastic about joining the guild. Also, she had purchased 5 [Attuned Ascension Ritual Discs], and Sky offered to pay back the difference for guild pricing if they joined.

It turned out that they only had to make one disc, and that was for Selena, who wanted the Curse Affinity imbued onto it, while the rest they pulled from the stash they hadn't sold yet. Thankfully, Selena had the required amount of essence shards for Sky to enchant the disc, as the Curse Affinity is a rare one to come by, even if she generates them in combat by using Curse Affinity spells and skills.

The guild didn’t stick around to watch [Affliction] ascend into tier 2 since the temptation of a shower on the Adventuring Associations campus was too great a temptation. Before they left the campus, Zedra reported that no less than a dozen different players had applied to the guild and had promptly been accepted. None were above level 20, and Dark Hero, Kesa, and Zedra all began to work with them to form parties, at least temporary ones, that they could potentially take on the Zaphid Caverns with.

Night came, and everyone who needed a place to stay camped out in the warehouse that they had been borrowing from Sera’s uncle, Richard. Sky had made sure to pay a relatively fair amount of gold for the guild taking up the space, and it was only with Sky's insistence that Sera took the money to deliver to her uncle.

In preparation for the couple of weeks-long grinding journey the guild was planning, Atticaus and Aralen, the new official guild mom, were making good use of the free-to-use crafting stations on the Association's campus to stock up on meals for the nearly 50 or more people that would be heading out. They had also brought back dessert when they finally made it back to the warehouse to be consumed after the fantasy BLTs.

Dawn crested the huge walls of Ostbury, and Sky exited the warehouse, the first up for the day, and she carefully and quietly stepped over the rest of the sleeping players as she did so. With a quick and quiet as she could make it [Flare Step], Sky popped up onto the multi-story tall building and lightly landed with wings spread out wide for balance. She sat on the edge of the roof, letting her legs hang free over the larger cargo doors.

She had her eyes closed and let the sun embrace her as she swung her feet. The chilly morning was quickly being chased away by the growing sunlight, and Sky allowed her aura to join the luminous rays. She leaned back and allowed the energy to embrace her.

“Good morning, Mom. I hope you are doing well,” Sky said quietly.

She felt it first, like the sun became more focused and bright. Sky was basking in the warmth when the power around her increased. It wasn’t just the solar affinity, but a touch of the divine as well. It was Solaria wishing her daughter a wonderful morning, and Sky felt it in her soul.

Inside the warehouse, a few people woke up suddenly at the surge of power felt outside. Zaria, Ar’Gen, Amara, Ashariel, and even new members of the guild like Gabriel from the [Sword Souls] and Heals OnMe from [Century], all woke up at once. Each of them had some sort of connection to a Holy Class or affinity, even if they hadn't attuned to it. They all exchanged bewildered and curious looks before they got up and quickly moved to the side door where the power source was being produced.

Others began to wake up at the movement, watching everyone move with purpose. They headed outside and saw it, Sky sitting on the roof, basking in a giant beam of sunlight. She was so brightly illuminated that the rest of the day in Ostbury looked like the sun was stopping by for a visit.

Ashariel, being the only one who grew up with the Celestial churches of Zenith World, put it all together. She knew without a doubt that the long-lost daughter had come home. There could be no other reason for such a display.

“Sky, what the hell?” Zaria asked, nearly covering her eyes at the display.

She seemed to break free of her trance and finally noticed a bunch of her guild mates staring up at her with different expressions. “Uhh, good morning?”

≪ ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ≫

Atticus and Aralen returned from the Association once again, even after preparing so much food the day before, they still made a fresh breakfast for the guild. Sausage, eggs, toast, hashbrowns, and some delicious mango-like fruits that had the consistency of a pear were also cut up and served on a table in the warehouse.

The fruit, known as a perch fruit, because of how it sits on top of the branches like a bird perched, also created a fantastically delicious green juice. A few pitchers of said juice were all cooled with ice, courtesy of Sera’s first affinity. With the help and inspiration of Sky, she had been practicing the pure manipulation of her craft and had since been able to produce ice spheres about the size of a cube back on Earth.

“I love your ice balls!” Dark Hero said, earning laughs and a slap to the shoulder from Kesa.

“This breakfast is amazing! Thank you so much!” Zedra said to both Atticus and Aralen.

“Good! Make sure to eat up! I don’t want you all going adventuring on an empty stomach!” Aralen said, fully embracing the role of guild mom.

After they had breakfast, Aralen also brought up concerns as to what the rest of the guild would be doing before they migrated to the other continent. “Will we be allowed to remain in the warehouse?”

“Actually, I found several rooms at an inn, of course, this isn’t a 5-star inn that is recommended by every travel agency, but it is still a place with actual beds,” Zedra said.

“I thought it was five rooms?” Kesa asked.

“Oh, did we end up with five?”

“We did!” Dark said.

“Okay, that should be plenty for all of you, if you don’t mind bunking up a bit. Otherwise, we ended up forming two more parties of those under level 20. We will be taking them to the Zaphid Caverns along the way to our next dungeon. they should be able to farm that all the way to 24,” Zedra said.

“Have they chosen names yet?” Kesa wondered.

“Uhhh, I think one was [Quick Play]?” Sky asked.

“Yeah, [Quick Play] and [The Ladder]. I didn’t ask what it meant, but they should be ready to go soon,” Zedra said.

“Well, either way, I just want to thank you all for letting my son and me into the guild. It really feels good to have a place to be,” Aralen said.

Sky stepped over and brought her into a hug as she towered over Aralen, who was only just a few inches above 5’ in height, while Sky, typical of all Celestials, was around 6’ tall.

“You are one of us now, Guild Mom! Don’t think you can just leave us now!” Sky said with a smile as she got a motherly hug in return.

Aralen’s son, who instead of being called SmashKill was now going by Smash, was stuffing his face with breakfast, his third plate so far. He was fitting in well, but hadn’t quite made friends yet; even if everyone was nice to him, the difference between actual internal age and giant size was a tough thing to get over. He was treated well, though, and constantly helped his mother with whatever she was doing in the kitchen.

After they finished breakfast, it was time to hit the road. Every party within the guild marched through the streets in a large group, not in any order, but just a huge gaggle of adventurers filled with excitement. People recognized the guild tag, and even some of the members who had fought in the tournament. They watched and even cheered as the huge group moved towards the Western Gate.

Atticus looked over to Sky, “Not gonna make everyone jump off the wall this time?”

Sky’s eyes lit up, “That’s a great idea!”

“W-wait, I was just kidding! Sky! NO!” Atticus chased after Sky, who took off down a different street.

Kesa spoke up, “I doubt we can all squeak by the guards if we go that way this time.”

“Yeah, we have a bit too many people to make it by unnoticed. Sky seems excited to jump off, though,” Dark replied.

"I think she just wants to fly down," Kesa said. "I can’t wait until we are crossing the Prismatic Sea!”

Dark presumed that she must have been thinking about racial abilities, “You won’t have your full mermaid form until level 50, though.”

“So? I still can’t wait to see it. That was my favorite place in game. We should time it right to make it to the Crystal City at sunset. It is just too beautiful!”

Dark nodded at his wife, “That’s true. I wonder how long the actual travel time will be.”

After Atticus caught up to Sky, they met back with the guild and made their way to the Western Gate. Sky smiled as she saw more than one party waiting for them. She approached Selena from [Affliction], who gave her a half-hearted smile that seemed par for the course with her.

“Morning! Decided to join us after all?” Sky asked.

“Yeah, we will join, as long as our friends can join too?” Selena asked.

Sky looked over and saw the other party, where an old man dressed as a picturesque wizard stepped up. He had ‘Cadmeas Odalfus, Wizard [The Traditionals]’ over his head.

Sky wondered at the party name until she saw that they had the classic classes for an old school adventuring team. Wizard, Shield Guardian, Rogue, Ranger, and Cleric.

Traditional, if nothing else.

“Greetings, Solaria Sky, Guild Master of the Zenith Star Guild!” Cadmeas said, using some grand tone like an expert in RP.

Sky laughed, “Solaria is my mom’s name. Mine is Solara, but everyone just calls me Sky.”

She didn’t mean to let it slip, but Ashariel caught it, as if she needed any more confirmation that Sky was truly the lost Daughter. It still filled her with equal amounts of hope and worry.

“Very well. I am Wizard Cadmeas of [The Traditionals], and I would like to formally introduce ourselves and petition to join your wonderful guild!”

He was at level 24, just as the rest of his party was, not having gone through their first ascension just yet.

Sky smiled and nodded, but before she invited them, she spoke, “Sure, but [Affliction] first!”

Selena’s seemingly bored expression somehow conveyed a smirk over to the old wizard, “Right, so, introductions, this is Dagnar, the Warlock. Azalea the Sorc. T’zerri the Shaman. And that’s Gary.”

“Hi, Gary!” Sky said, waving at the huge Goliath.

“Hullo.”

“It’s great to meet all of you, and let me ask you this. Are all of you affliction users?”

“All but Gary, I guess,” Selena said, getting nods from the rest of them.

“Azalea, was it?” Sky asked the kambien sorcerer.

“Aye?”

“Do you use burning as your primary affliction?”

“Indeed. I will go Fire, then Curse, then Earth. A cursed volcano user!” She chuckled with a fake evil laugh that brought more laughs from the guild with it.

“Awesome! Here, take this!” Sky tossed her a neon green crystalline ring.

T’zerri caught it, reading the name, “[Zaphid Queen’s Core Ring]. Adds the affliction [Zaphid Corrosion] to all burning damage. This is incredible! It also turns my fire an awesome green!”

She launched a [Burning Bolt] up into the air after equipping it, staring at the green bolt with stars in her eyes.

“Just make sure that when you need it upgraded, I am the one to do it, yeah?”

“Will I lose it then?”

“No, we will just put the enchantment on the ring that is the next tier up, so you can have more benefits from it. It will cost a bunch of materials, but not too much. Sound good?” Sky smiled.

“Yes, that sounds fantastic! Thank you, Guild Master!”

“You got it.”

Sky invited [Affliction] to the guild, and they promptly accepted.

“Now then, introduce yourselves, Wizard Cadmeas!”

“It would be my honor! We have here Baldric Kingston, our front liner and Shield Guardian! Slayer of a thousand undead from the Crypts!”

The human bowed, offering a nod and a “Hi.”

“Next is our Rogue, Lithandor Grimfall! Expert in the shadows, so to speak. There isn't a soul who could see him if he so desires! He could be standing next to you, and you would never know!”

Sky and Kesa exchanged skeptical glances.

The rogue elf shook his head, looking exasperated at the antics of his party leader.

“Of course, where would we be without our wonderful Cleric Fendral Torvyn! Master of the Holy Arts, who has saved thousands of lives with not but his own Holy Light!”

He laughed, “Thanks, Cadmeas. Good to meet you all.”

“Last, but certainly not least, is our beautiful and powerful Ranger, Elyndra Faesworn of the Elven Dominion! Never will you find a more deadly and graceful huntress than our dear Elyndra!” Cadmeas said, once again revelling in the opportunity to put the touch of Role Play into his words.

“I don’t know about the Elven Dominion, but it's also wonderful to meet you all! Thank you for the invite!” Elyndra said, nodding at Sky.

Sky was going to speak after sending an invite out, but Cadmeas wasn’t finished.

“Together! We face the darkness of the world! Together, we push out into the beyond! Delving into the depths of the darkest dungeons, fighting off the horrors of the world! Together, we are the TRADITIONALS!” Cadmeas yelled the last part.

The guild would probably have just stared at his outrageous words, but they had all signed up for an RP server for a reason. Cheers and clapping went out from the entire guild.

“Alright! You are perfect for our guild! Let us all embark on our journey! Let no evil stand before us, for we shall surely vanquish it!” Sky yelled out in return, joining in on the fun.

Cadmeas’ eyes lit up, knowing a fellow RP’er when he saw one, “Indeed, Guild Master! Let us away!”

“Uh, hey. Before we go…I was hoping to introduce someone, and see if he would like to join [Nature Green],” Zaria said, not trying to ruin the fun. “This is Humble Lotus, and he would like to join, if that's cool.”

“Greetings, Zenith Star. Namaste, my light greets yours.” Humble Lotus said with a bow. He had been waiting off to the side of the gate at Zaria's invitation.

“Oh, of course!” Sky sent him a guild invite. “Zaria, you are also an officer now. You can send out guild invites if you want.”

“I am?”

“Yes! I told you that when we first invited you.”

“Right! Of course, I knew that.”

“Well then, [Nature Green], what do you think? Willing to try out Humble Lotus as a front liner?” Zedra interrupted.

“Of course we are!” Raze said. They introduced themselves, and Sky launched up into the air with [Flare Step].

As she floated down, she spoke with a commanding tone, “Alright! Zenith Star Guild, ROLL OUT!”

She hit the ground and immediately broke out into a run, [Reality Check] and 7 other parties in tow. All part of the Zenith Star Guild.

≪ ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ≫

Just as Zenith Star left the West Gate. The Corinthians [𖤍] met at the East Gate. They had more members, at 83, but less party cohesion than Zenith Star had. It was part of their philosophy that they would fight as a guild instead of a group of parties. It would be fine for the most part, but raids in the end game require Raid Groups to be split into party size to handle mechanics. That would be when they were truly tested.

Titus stood up front and center, addressing his guild as the Commander and Guild Master. “Alright, Corinthians, we have faced our first trials…and failed. But that doesn’t mean we have lost. It means that we have learned more than others! It means that we have to work that much harder to succeed!”

His guild cheered for him. Even with his loss against Solara Sky, he was still one of the most capable Shield Guards they had ever seen. He had an obscene amount of experience from being a tank back when this was a game, and those skills had clearly translated. He would lead the guild from the front lines.

“We head now to the east! Beyond the Stone Fields, and rolling hills, beyond the horizon! To the Scorched Plains! We will head into the flames, and find dungeons to conquer, bandit camps to raid, and more!”

His guild cheered, and he continued, “Are you ready? Are you ready to fight! To level! To push beyond your limits!?”

“Yeahhhhh!!!”

“Good! Then with me, brothers and sisters! Follow me!”

Titus jumped off the planter he was using as a stage and began to run out the Eastern Gate. The Corinthians [𖤍] followed.

≪ ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ≫

It only took a day to make it to Osten, the road from Ostbury becoming very recognizable. The guild was a veritable lawnmower if any monster that would stand in their way was the grass. They made it a game on who could do the most damage the fastest. Arrows, spells, and even an occasional Dark Hero would go flying at any monster stupid enough to show their face.

Merchant Caravans, random players, and even other NPC Adventuring Parties all cleared the road for the huge group of Zenith Star [★] members. All of them looked like fantasy versions of Olympic athletes, tirelessly running at obscene speeds, all while laughing, talking, casting spells, and launching attacks. It was a train of powerful individuals that made their way into Osten, and everyone who was worried about safety felt a bit of ease as the huge group took down anything bold enough to challenge them.

“Alright! We spend the night here and make sure the rest of the guild is up to par! Party leaders! Make sure you have a list of your party's needs! I am talking armor weight class, attuned affinity, and just normal class as well! We will start a chain of crafters to get a full set of armor for everyone! [The Traditionals] still need to ascend, so get to Ar’Gen with your [Attuned Ascension Ritual Disc] Writs for materials. Take them to Dark Hero for crafting, then to Sera and me for enchanting! If any of you plan on taking a craft, make sure to join up with our current guild crafters to start leveling! Let’s get this done, then we can head out and camp outside the town for the evening! Any questions?” Sky announced.

“Ahh, Guild Master, I see that the guild currently has no one listed as the main crafter for Artifice. I would love to apply for such a position!” Cadmeas declared.

“Oooh, an Aritificer, eh? Perfect! The job is yours! Let me know when you want to start crafting, and we can get some writs to you to start leveling. Sound good?”

He bowed, “Thank you, Guild Master!”

She nodded, “Right, make sure you get those writs to Ar’Gen first! I want your party in tier 2 before you start crafting!”

He bowed again.

Sky and crew headed over to the smaller branch of the Adventuring Association as the sun began to set for the day. Even with running nearly the entire way, it had still nearly taken the whole day to make it to Osten on account of their late start in the morning. Everyone got together and started crafting like an assembly line, pushing people through as they went. Each crafter was busy, even Kesa in potions.

She had started with the intention of going into Affinity Elixir’s as her specialty, and she was well on her way with that. It was an interesting craft, since the liquid was just as important as the enchantments on the glass flasks, but luckily, they could be done in batches, and the bottles weren’t affinity attuned. They were made to essentially just be endless, regenerating their contents once a day.

The buffs only last an hour in tier 2 and can only be used once a day. They would increase the affinity of whatever the Elixir was attuned to by a large percentage for the duration. Only [Reality Check] and the [Flamesouls] had Elixir Flasks so far, but they would be joined by everyone else if Kesa had anything to say about it.

The guild crafted for almost 5 hours, and it was completely dark when everyone was now wearing tier 2 gear. Along with that, all of [The Traditionals] had gone through the ascension rituals and were now tier 2.

As soon as they were done, everyone, including [Quick Play] and [The Ladder], all moved out of the small town, looking for a place to camp out for the night. They didn’t bother starting a fire or anything on account of how warm the night was, but they still ensured that they had people on rotating watches for safety.

By the time morning came, there was no hesitation, and the guild quickly ate while packing up, and they took off, the chilly morning air helping to wake them up as they ran. The next destination was the Zaphid Caverns, where the two lowest-level parties were going to be dropped off to level up.

Zedra had taken the opportunity to write out a manual of strategies to combat the fighting patterns of the bosses within the Caverns. It gave them the information on what to expect, how to counter it, and at what level they should move up to hard mode. The Zaphid Caverns would be perfect for groups around their level in the high teens and should help them get to 24 as soon as possible.

They were also ordered to farm as much [Zero Affinity Ore] as they could carry, since it is still a fantastic means of making money, minus what they would all need to ascend as well. Atticus also checked that they had enough premade meals to ensure that they didn’t go hungry for the two weeks they planned to farm at the Caverns.

After dropping off [Quick Play] and [The Ladder], the rest of the guild took off once again, going farther west before breaking off the western road and heading a bit north. It took several days of searching before they found the Willowgrim Marsh, which contained the entrance to the next valley over, and the way to the Bloodfall Gulch Dungeon.

They cleared out the entrance and called it a night before taking on the dungeon the next morning.

“Alright, everyone! Let’s talk about the Bloodfall Gulch. Have you ever heard of a chase dungeon?” Zedra asked, with a huge smile on his handsome, dark elven face.