Chapter Three

CHAPTER THREE

Fred brews us coffee before we begin our discussion. The rich aroma fills the tent, making my mouth water unexpectedly. He hands me a wooden mug filled with the dark liquid, and I take a grateful sip. The warmth spreads through my chest, though it does little to sate that strange thirst lingering at the back of my throat. If anything, the bitterness of the coffee only accentuates the craving for something else entirely.

Fred claps his massive hands together, the sound like thunder in the confined space. His blue eyes twinkle with an excitement I cannot quite place.

"So then, I suppose you should hear why I am so surprised that you have that enchanting skill, lad. Do you know anything about skills?"

I shake my head, feeling completely out of my depth.

"Honestly, I know next to nothing. That black-robed old man, Abaddon, told us zilch, really. Delathorn just said this book would unlock our Domains, which would unlock our skills and then our class. That was pretty much it."

Fred nods as if he expected that answer. He strokes one of his polished tusks thoughtfully.

"The trouble is where to start. I suppose I am just going to give you the basics, and you will learn as you go. What you have to understand is that your Domain is the source of everything. It determines your base attributes, your skills, all of it, boy."

I contemplate his words. So that place where a river of blood ran through the nothingness inside me—that was where it all came from? The thought is strange, considering I never knew it existed before today. Or did I? I cannot remember anything about my past self, but some things seem instinctual. Clearly, some knowledge exists, ingrained within me.

"I do not even understand what Domains really are. Yet all of this stuff... it all comes from there, this place inside me."

Fred nods again, his massive head bobbing with the motion.

"Yes, all of it. Domains are the manifestation of your spirit, the sum total of everything you are. When Domains are unlocked, they manifest skills that resonate with you. The Judge can grant you skills through various means, including skill books, but that is adding to your Domain. Enchanting, it is…"

Fred trails off, lost in thought. He fingers one of his tusks, the ivory gleaming in the dim light of the tent.

"Sorry, I sometimes forget the right words. Enchanting is rare because it is not often a granted skill; it almost always has to come from within, from the Domain, and of all the skills that resonate within people, enchanting tends to not be one of them. Why would it be? It is simply natural that many, many people would be more suited to more mundane things. Such as myself."

Fred claps a hand to his impressive chest, the sound reverberating through the tent like a drum.

"I am a smith, and I was good with a hammer. The Judge generated the Smith Class for me nearly a decade ago. I have been honing my class ever since."

I shake my head, wondering about the fairness of such a system. Some are born with talents others can never achieve? It seems arbitrary and unjust. I say as much to Fred.

He laughs, a booming sound that seems to vibrate the very air. "Of course it is! But when has life ever been fair, lad? Some people are good at some things, and some are good at others. That does not mean you cannot forge your own path; the Judge recognizes practice and training, and he often awards other skills, though those skills are most often tailored to you or any companions you may have. People often do not take the practice route, though. It is hard and long, and people most often choose to stick with what they are already good at. The Judge simply prefers people stick to progressing what already aligns with their inner selves."

His words trigger something in my memory—standing in a dingy office, surrounded by files, feeling utterly bored with the simplicity of my cases. The memory flickers and fades before I can grasp it fully.

I rub my face, feeling the weight of more questions pressing on my mind. Everything feels overwhelming, like trying to learn an entire lifetime of knowledge in a single sitting.

"Okay, so who is this Judge I keep hearing about?"

Fred waves a hand to encompass everything around us, the gesture expansive and all-inclusive.

"The Judge is the soul of the Eden Tree, its avatar. Or some often refer to the Judge as the Domain of the Eden Tree. Scholars often study him. He simply is. Questioning him would be like questioning water or the sky. He just is, and I am but a simple smith; it is enough for me."

I rub my jaw and nod. I feel much the same about it. I cannot see spending a lot of thought on something I cannot change, even if I did figure out all of the mystery surrounding it. Better to focus on immediate concerns.

"So, how do I advance this Domain, or everything, really? I have gained a couple of levels, but that is it."

Fred nods his head and pokes at a tusk thoughtfully.

"Well, you will have already earned some attribute points then." Fred pauses as he notices my quizzical expression. "You did check your attribute gains, did you not, lad?"

I shake my head, feeling foolish. "I had no idea I gained any. It just said I gained levels."

I focus inward, checking my profile:

Name: Jackson Grey Level: 2 Race: Human Lives: 2 Domain: Aspects: Blood and Destruction Class: Swordsman Attributes: Mind-10, Strength-12, Dexterity-17, Constitution-13, Will-15 Skills: Katanas (Apprentice Level 3), Enchanting (Apprentice Level 1), Analyze (Apprentice Level 1) Weaves: Blood Katana (Apprentice Level 4) Eden Coins: 0 Faction: Unsworn

"I see," I murmur. "My will increased by one point, and my skills advanced from using them."

Fred laughs again, slapping his hands together with such force that I feel the vibration through the floor.

"I know I call you lad, lad, but you do have a mind of your own, and you seem old enough for a human. The Judge is not always going to inform you of every little thing; he may seem like a mindless system, but he is not. He is very real, has a mind of his own, and will choose to tell you things in the way he chooses to, or not. Sometimes that is based on your attributes, though sometimes it is just what the Judge decides. At every level, you gain one attribute point. As to how to progress in your Domain, well, that is where skills and weaves shine. The higher your skill level, the higher your weave; all of that influences your Domain and progresses it. At a certain point, it will level, and that in turn will affect how many skills you can learn and how far you can progress. There is more to it than that, but it is not something I can go into."

I blink at him, concerned about his sudden shift to being closed-mouthed.

"Why not?" I question, leaning forward. Fred shrugs his massive shoulders, the motion like mountains shifting.

"Because I do not know how. I have been stuck for a while. My smithing skill is at a high level, but I cannot progress it any further. I do not know why. I am hoping that it has to do with what I make—challenging myself. To do that, I have to make something truly amazing, and I do not think I can unless enchanting is involved."

Understanding blooms within my mind like a dark flower.

"That is why you are telling me all of this!" I exclaim. Fred smiles, his eyes twinkling with mischief and hope.

"Well, I certainly was not doing it out of the kindness of my heart. I said we could help each other, and I meant it. Here is what I propose, lad. I will help you with the theory behind enchanting; I know a lot about it due to my suspicion that I need it to progress, and I will kit you out with some basic-level equipment. I will also provide you with enchanting resources. In exchange, you give me a few days of your time and help me enchant some items. What do you say, lad?"

I lean back, considering his offer. The truth is that I smell an opportunity here. I could get more out of this deal. But what should I ask for? I need to know more.

"How are you here?" I ask, my eyes narrowing slightly.

Fred looks puzzled. "What do you mean?"

I wave a hand around us, indicating the bazaar beyond the tent.

"Here. In the dungeon, I mean. Abaddon said there would be a bazaar here, but obviously this is not where you live or anything."

Fred nods slowly, clearly wondering what direction this conversation is taking. His tusks gleam in the lamplight as he considers his response.

"Well, we got an invitation to come here. The Shadow faction is large and well known, and we were told new people would be here in the dungeon. It is an opportunity, as dungeons always offer good rewards. There is no telling what you might find. The fact that you have the enchanting skill is a good example, now that I think of it. That is the kind of thing that comes with new people."

My voice becomes slightly harsh, my face growing tight with anger.

"Did you know Abaddon is essentially holding us hostage? Making us go after this orb at the end of the dungeon. He says if we do not get it, he will kill us!"

I deliver the last bit with a slight yell. Fred holds up his hands placatingly, their size making the gesture almost comical.

"I did not know. I just knew a lot of new people would be here. It does not matter though, lad; Abaddon cannot kill you."

I blink at him, confusion washing over me. "What do you mean he cannot kill me? He did something to us; I will tell you that. I felt like we were being crushed with fear, and these nightmare whispers were in my ear."

Fred sighs, the sound weary and knowing.

"That was probably his spirit. Yes, lad, I can see you are wondering what spirit is, but I cannot explain every little thing. You will get there. Let us explain what matters. Abaddon cannot kill you because the Judge prevents him. He is the Shadow Celestial, and Celestials cannot harm non-Celestials. That does not mean he cannot send people after you; he can, but trust me, he cannot outright kill you. The Judge will not allow it."

I chew on my inner cheek, digesting this new information. Abaddon had lied. Or at least he did not tell the whole truth. What else could he have been lying about? The thought makes my blood simmer with anger. The crimson river in my Domain churns in response to my emotions, its flow quickening.

"And what about Delathorn? Is he a Celestial too?" I ask, recalling the man's too-warm brown eyes and the falseness behind them.

Fred shakes his head. "No, but he is powerful in his own right. A servant of the Shadow faction. I would be wary of him."

I let out a breath, forcing myself to calm down. "Okay then. That brings more questions to mind, but I will save those for now. Surely you have a main shop somewhere."

I make it more of a statement than a question, watching Fred's reaction closely.

"Yes, I do have a main shop. It is in Aetherius, and before you ask, Aetherius is considered to be the capital city of Eden; it is underneath what is considered to be the largest portion of the Eden Tree that we have discovered in all the realms. Why do you ask?"

I rub my hands together, anticipation building within me as I prepare my next words.

"Because I want to be a part owner. You say you need enchanting? How about making me your exclusive enchanter? I will enchant the equipment, items, whatever, and in exchange, I get an even split of all the profits as well as everything you just listed."

Frederick simply gapes at me, then shakes his head. A sinking feeling develops in the pit of my stomach. Is he going to say no? The thought of losing this potential alliance makes my chest tighten. I have always hated rejection, though I cannot recall specific instances of it happening before.

"Before I respond to that, lad, I should tell you about the Enchanters Guild," he says carefully.

"Yes?" I question, the word stretched thin with apprehension.

"Well, it does not like rogue enchanters. See, they try to get every enchanter to work with them eventually, and if you make this sort of deal with me, it is bound to anger them. My original deal is a short-term thing, lad. A longer-term partnership, particularly how you are suggesting it, well now, that would get their goat if you get my meaning."

I do get it. The information gives me pause, but honestly, I do not know anyone in that guild and likely will not meet any of them in this dungeon. Or if I do, I do not care much. I trust Fred; he has been forthright with me and took an interest when I appeared, something no one else did. I say as much to Fred and add,

"Besides, what fun would the world be if you did not make a few enemies?"

Fred laughs and slaps his knee with such force I expect it to shatter.

"Very true, lad, very true indeed. Very well then, let us make it official, shall we?"

A notification appears in my mind, formal and precise:

Frederick, level 199 Smith has offered you a partnership in his business, Catalyst Forge, and the terms are the following: You will assist him in enchanting equipment, items, and weapons when it is reasonable, and in return, he will give you the equipment, items, and weapons you ask for within reason or on favorable terms. He will also offer you reasonable aid, and you will receive 50 percent of all profits going forward from this point. Do you accept this partnership?

I accept without hesitation, giving my answer to the Judge. The crimson thread within my Domain pulses with satisfaction, as if approving of my decision.

Congratulations! You have entered into a partnership with Frederick!

I grin and slap my palm into Frederick's, not caring how much larger his hand is than mine. The contact sends a jolt of energy through me, cementing our alliance.

"I think this is going to be the start of a beautiful partnership, Fred. Now then, let us get enchanting, shall we?"

Fred's answering grin is all I need to see. His tusks gleam in the lamplight as he begins to gather materials for my first enchanting lesson. He pulls out a small wooden box from under the counter, carefully opening it to reveal an assortment of gems, each glowing with faint inner light.

"These are basic enchanting materials," he explains, his voice taking on a teacher's tone. "Each gem corresponds to different aspects. Rubies for fire, sapphires for water, emeralds for nature, and so on. The purer the gem, the more powerful the enchantment."

As he moves about the tent, I notice a blood-red gemstone among his collection that stands apart from the others. It pulses with inner light, calling to me on some primal level. I feel the river of blood in my Domain stir in response.

For a brief moment, I swear I see the gem shift, revealing the outline of a fang etched within its depths. The mark from the quest scroll. But when I blink, it is gone.

"What is that one?" I ask, pointing to the blood-red stone. "It feels... different."

Fred follows my gaze, his expression shifting to one of curiosity. "That one? It is a bloodstone. Quite rare, actually. I have had it for years but never found a proper use for it. They are said to respond to blood magic, but I have never met anyone with that aspect who could work with it properly."

He picks up the stone, studying it before handing it to me. "Here, hold it. Tell me what you feel."

The moment the stone touches my palm, I feel a connection form between it and my Domain. The crimson river surges, reaching out as if trying to touch the stone through the barrier of my physical form. A warmth spreads up my arm, and for a heartbeat, I can sense possibilities within the gem—protection, power, consumption.

"It is alive," I whisper, staring at the pulsing stone. "Not truly alive, but... aware. It wants to be used."

Fred watches me with newfound interest, his blue eyes narrowing slightly. "Blood aspect and enchanting skill. A rare combination indeed. I wonder..."

He shakes his head, as if dismissing a thought. "We will start with simpler materials first. That bloodstone requires expertise you do not yet possess. But perhaps, in time..."

I reluctantly hand the stone back, feeling the connection sever as it leaves my grasp. Something tells me this partnership will lead to far more than just profit. And that bloodstone—it is calling to me, waiting for the day I am ready to harness its power.

"Let us begin with the basics," Fred says, setting a simple copper bracelet and a small yellow topaz on the table before me. "Focus on your Domain, feel the aspects within you, and then try to channel a small portion into the gem while thinking of what you want it to do."

I nod, closing my eyes to concentrate. I reach for my Domain, finding that river of blood more responsive than before, eager to be used. I gather a small thread of it, careful not to take too much, and weave it with a strand of destruction. The combination feels volatile but powerful.

As I channel this energy into the topaz, I visualize strength—the ability to enhance the wearer's power. The gem begins to glow, and I feel the enchantment taking shape, guided by my will and the natural properties of the stone.

Something stirs within me as I work—a sense of purpose I have not felt since awakening in this strange world. Perhaps this is why the enchanting skill resonated with me. Perhaps this is the path forward.

Whatever the future holds, I have at least found a direction. And an ally.

The first step toward reclaiming who I am.