As Azrael returned to town, he was greeted once more by the familiar site of woodland creatures. He smiled as he reminisced of his first adventure outside of the gates.

  The bunnies remembered as well, as they all seemed to clear a path for him.

  Azrael laughed and said, "Mwahaha, bow down rabbits."

  To this day, he swears he actually saw a couple bow.

  Upon finally getting through the gates, he slammed his fist against his chest and hailed the guard in jest, who in turn welcomed him back from whatever journey he was on.

  "Weird...It seems like the guards at least respect me a little bit now that I have garnered some strength." Stated Azrael proudly

  Azrael held onto his japtem for now, as he could finally learn a couple craft skills. He was slighty bummed out at the fact that he could not learn other craft skills though.

  As he walked through the shady area to Auruk's training hall, it seemed devoid of urchins and thugs. It was odd for the seedy area, but Azrael shrugged as he walked to the doors. Little did he know, the thugs were hiding from him because they knew what kind of monster he had become. He was one like Auruk, and the thugs knew the meaning behind that.

  After three sturdy knocks, Auruk opened the door. Devoid of emotion, he beckoned Azrael to sit in his makeshift kitchen, and began preparing some sort of lightly scented tea.

  "You look like you've had a time of it. I was sure you would die." Stated Auruk, without emotion, as per the usual.

  "Thank you for your concern, but I am very much alive, and here is the item I was asked to retrieve." Mumbled Azrael, in a disheartened tone.

  As Azrael tried to hand over the book, Auruk said, "Keep it, that is yours now. All of your truly impressive feats of slaying will automatically record in it, along with your stat bonuses. That book is soul-bound, and will never drop from your body."

  "Indeed, it would seem you have passed the trial.You are truly one of us now. Know that this is just the beginning, and all of us have defeated the guardian. The rest of the journey will be sculpted based upon your deeds. There is no direction for us, we explore as we see fit, and slay what we deem necessary. That is what will mold your destiny. You can never abandon this path, and you will be shunned by some. Welcome, Brother." Stated Auruk proudly.

  t-ting

  Azrael said, "Check Item! Slayer Blade."

  "This sword blows! It only has high durability!" Screamed Azrael.

  "That is why you gained the two craft skills. Did you not find it odd that a melee oriented class can learn even two craft skills to master? There is one reason. Those of the Oath take pride in showing what they kill, and using it to strengthen themselves. The Slayer blade has many sockets and unfinished areas where you can mold, forge, and place parts of the beasts you kill. Doing so, you can reforge the blade infinitely to confer new bonuses and grow as you do. The blade, as it stands, is much weaker than the old sword I gave you. Just like your path, your sword will also be forged by your deeds. Remain weak, or work to make yourself and your blade strong. For the same reason, tailoring can also be used to refine mighty beast hides into suitable battle garb as well. It is up to you how, when, and where you acquire those skills though." Stated Auruk.

  "Seeing how badly you got whipped, I have one more thing for you. It seems you need it more than I..." Said Auruk, in a mocking tone.

  Azrael turned red, and then took the item.

  "Welcome to the Oath-bound, Brother. If you ever need help, do not hesitate to ask. You are currently Brother number twelve in the whole continent. Those of religion will also shun you, for we worship no god. Do not worry though, they will not be openly hostile unless provoked."

  As he said this, Azrael's hair turned white, and his eyes grew a pale red as well.

  Azrael was ecstatic, and thanked Auruk over and over, to which Auruk just blinked.

  "Yes, well, may your travels bring you strength, young Brother. Off you go." Said Auruk, as he pushed Azrael out.

  Azrael then returned to the town, and realized his mean eyes turned red, and his hair turned white.Of course this meant he became even more menacing. People on the street parted naturally for him as he walked, and women ran with their children into their homes.

  He looked like a demon, with a hulking blade on his back.

  "Things just keep getting better, don't they." Azrael Sighed.

  He then used the skill book to learn the bandage skill, and decided to go outside the town and try and raise all his new skill's mastery levels on the low level creatures. As he walked into the woods, he spotted a rabbit a few meters away.

  he unsheathed his blade and took a stance. He then slashed and yelled, "Blade wave." The energy wave traveled over the rabbit, which had feinted, and through a tree in front of him. The tree was sliced in half.

  If you spot this tale on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

  "Cool!...Wait, How did I get a critical hit on a tree?" Thought Azrael, as the tree fell.

  That was, until he saw that with the tree...a noob was also cleaved in half.

  "Shit." He thought, as his name turned red, and a blood red diamond appeared.

  Every noob suddenly stopped, and stared directly at him. It was the most ominous thing he had ever witnessed.

  Azrael then began to run like hell. On his rear, was a horde of noobs. Chasing with weapons drawn. Stray arrows and magic spells whizzed past his head.

  "It was an accident, I was trying a skill!" He yelled.

  But no one listened, as they all saw experience and items from killing the pker.

  He turned to look back at the crowd, and grinned. He was getting away due to his high agility.

  "Haha! Behold noobs, you shall never catch the great Azrael!" He laughed.

  As he turned back, his eyes saw only bark and leaves.

  BANG!

  Azrael banged headfirst into the tree. As he looked up from the ground, he was impaled by one hundred hate filled noobs.

  He was ejected from the game for twenty four hours.

  That was the day he added a second enemy to his list besides all of the AI...the noobs.

  ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

  Vera had just finished her training with the old woman, and was ecstatic. She went to Tessa's room as per her instruction.

  Over the course of Vera's training she dabbled in dark arts, learned a few forbidden enchantments, and a couple other weird skills.

  Upon completing the quest, she leveled up once, and then Tessa spoke.

  Dear, you have made me proud over these few weeks. The truth is, I am dying. I needed to take on an apprentice who was worthy of the arts that others shun. It is with great pleasure I offer you my profession.

  *ting*

  "Yes!" Said Vera excitedly. Her avatar was then enveloped in light.

  "Congratulations dear, you are now a fallen enchanter. Stand with pride, as not many of us exist." Said Tessa with pride.

  Vera's jaw dropped. The gains were huge, but she was wary. With all good things, there is always a catch.

  She checked the new skills before opening her character screen.

  Vera could not believe her eyes, this was an unrivaled magic class, but what was the downside? She then distributed all her unallocated stat points into int, wis, and some vit.

  She then yelled, "Stats!"