Chapter Twelve: Not From Around Here

I ducked low beneath an arch of stone, my shoulder brushing the crumbling tunnel wall. Ancient stonework now lined the tunnel, more so than bare rock.

Gwyn slunk just ahead, silent and graceful despite the confines, her muscles tensed like she didn’t trust the air around us.

The path had tightened with every dozen paces, forcing me to stoop now. I glanced behind me.

“Why’s it getting so narrow?” I asked.

Sorayelle, brushing dust from her shirt, looked up. “Because we’re nearing the main gate. It’s a kill funnel for bowmen. If something finds the city—if it can even fit in the tunnel—we want it to slow down and die before it gets close.”

I blinked. “Lovely. Gwyn, can you come back here please?"

I didn’t think the kind of people who built a tunnel like this would appreciate a massive panther on the approach. And Gwyn barely fit in the tunnel as it was--I doubted she could easily dodge arrows without using her magic.

Gwyn turned her head to look at me. "I will guard your back then, my lady."

The cat glowed and teleported behind me. "Thanks, Gwyn. Just want you safe too."

We pressed on, single file now. The walls whispered with ancient moisture, and somewhere far behind, I thought I heard the echo of skittering claws. Just paranoia, I told myself. Gwyn, now at the back of the line, would’ve noticed if anything followed us.

“Usually,” Sorayelle said, “I sneak out a different way. Side tunnel my grandmother thinks only she knows about.”

“We’re not using it this time?”

She shook her head. “Didn’t want someone to spot you and panic. You’re… not exactly familiar-looking. And everyone knows each other."

I narrowed my eyes. “Alright, but what do you mean you usually ‘sneak out’?”

She tugged at the edge of her sleeve. “I mean… I’m not really supposed to leave without permission. No one is.”

I snorted. “Then why do you?”

“I’m careful. I know where the monsters usually are.”

"You would've died from the Crawlers if Gwyn and I weren't there."

"I just—"

“You just want to see more than a cave,” I said, tilting my head.

A breath. Then a smile. “Yes. More than our lovely little cave. Eighty years in a cave might not sound like it, but it is a very long time.”

“It sounds like a long time to me.”

“Thank you. No one agrees with me except the others in my generation,” she stopped and pointed ahead. “We’re almost there.”

I squinted. “I don’t see anything.”

“We don’t light it up,” she explained. “That would just invite monsters. The gate is carved into the tunnel mouth. Ideally, no one finds it unless they already know it’s there.”

Sure enough, a flicker of light from one of the glowing crystals growing out of the crumbling tunnel stonework flashed ahead. It glinted off a thick portcullis embedded in the stone.

This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.

As we got closer, I saw there was another portcullis deeper in, sealing the far end of a narrow stone tunnel. And behind that, a heavy door gleamed faintly with some kind of magic.

“How do we get in?” I asked.

Sorayelle pointed to the small pinholes in the tunnel walls. Probably big enough for an eye to just barely glimpse through.

“Grandmother will sense us or someone will see us. The gates stay closed unless a foraging party’s going or coming. But we try to grow what we can inside the city.”

“What can you grow underground?”

“More than you’d think. Some of it’s even tasty. But the best meals come when a hunting party brings in meat from a monster.”

Before I could reply, the far gate rumbled open. The portcullis in front of it lifted up.

A tall and broad Caliban male emerged, encased in time-worn but polished metal plate. His skin was wrinkled, face weathered by time and scars. A nameplate shimmered faintly in my vision above his head:

[Name ???, Level ???]

“Why can’t I see his level?” I asked quietly.

“I think you can hide it?” Sorayelle murmured. “I'm not sure. I can’t see System prompts. That’s Varashan. He’s the city watch captain. Lesser House, but... important.”

The man—Varashan—approached the still-sealed of the two portcullises, spear and shield in hand. He looked through the iron gate, but it didn’t rise.

“Sorayelle? Who is…” His voice trailed off as he looked at her, then me, and then Gwyn. His eyes sharpened.

He must be reading my nameplate. Maybe my level was bothering him? Or Gwyn had him spooked?

“Who are you?” he asked, voice wary.

I stepped forward. “Hi. I’m Clarissa. Not from around here. I can explain, but… it’s going to sound crazy.”

“Your level is too high for your age,” he said flatly. “You can't be over even a hundred. You shouldn’t have the System. And that beast… she looks nearly identical to the Western Ruler.”

I was grateful he didn’t mention my shredded clothes... and even more grateful he didn’t ogle what that showed, just met my eyes the whole time. Like an old gentleman.

“This is Gwyn,” I said. “She’s my familiar. I got the summon spell by killing the Ruler. And… yeah, I think I can use the System because I’m connected to a different WorldHeart. But I’m not sure.”

“I—” For a moment, he looked at a loss, and like that was a very rare thing for him. “Daruvasht is a refuge for all Caliban. But what you’re saying borders on unbelievable. Sorayelle. What’s this week’s passphrase?”

She crossed her arms. “Seriously?”

“Deadly,” he said, hand tightening on his spear.

“Moonlit birds seek the sun.”

Varashan nodded. He barked a sharp order over his shoulder. Moments later, the outer gate began to clank slowly upward.

His name and level appeared then, like he’d dropped the concealment:

[Varashan Dureyl, Level 24]

My eyes widened. I had a higher level than him? That felt… wrong. This was a knight in old but polished plate armor. And he was a lower level than me?

“What’s your business here?” he asked.

“She’s Calibani,” Sorayelle snapped. “The Azu’rei demand we welcome her like family.”

I lifted a hand and placed it on Sorayelle's shoulder. “I heard Sorayelle’s grandmother runs the city. I just want to talk to her. I… wasn’t always Caliban. I died on another world and the System brought me here in this body. I’ve got a lot of gaps in what I know. I was hoping you guys could fill a few.”

My voice sounded surprisingly convincing and melodic to my ears. Another effect of Charisma?

He narrowed his eyes. “Apologies, but what sort of gaps?”

I drew a breath. I didn’t like being put on the spot, but I couldn’t blame the man for being cautious--especially if the safety of so many rested on his shoulders. “Well, the System tasked me with killing the four Rulers and defeating Cowagen. I killed one by accident yesterday. Nearly died a few times along the way. It’d be really nice to, I don’t know, be told where the other Rulers are and maybe get some armor. Or clothes.”

“Can you really access the System?” he asked quietly.

“Yeah. I was level one just over a day ago.”

Silence.

“How are you still alive?”

“The System has been giving me rewards for being the first from my planet to do stuff,” I said. “Mostly I’ve been lucky. And stubborn. I didn’t want to die again. Once was bad enough.”

Varashan blinked. “You’ve been getting System rewards?”

I nodded.

“And you intend to fight Cowagen with this strength?”

“I guess I have to. It’s apparently the only way I’m getting home. Also according to the System.”

He studied me, silent.

Then: “I’ll take you to Anahara.”

“I’m coming too,” Sorayelle said quickly.

Varashan sighed. “Trying to stop you would be more exhausting than it’s worth. And your grandmother should know you’ve been sneaking out again anyway.”

Sorayelle blanched. Becoming paler than usual.