He motioned for him to follow and led him to a small stone gazebo behind the house. The building was worn and weather-beaten but still looked solid. Inside was a small pedestal. Master Greenfoot placed the crystal on the pedestal and told Atlas to put his hand on the gem but to leave it there.
Atlas did as he was told and watched as Master Greenfoot touched the other side of the small column. A surge of power rippled through the pedestal and radiated outward. The air hummed and vibrated as the crystal in his hands cracked. The purple light slowly escaped the crystal confines and bled from the gem.
It coalesced over his hands into a small vortex of power directly even with his eyes. The energy lurched and sped to hit him in the face. The blackness scared him and he stumbled backward, clutching at his eyes. The smoky power seemed to crawl around his hands and sink into his eyes. The building darkened, and it blinded him for a few moments before his vision finally cleared and a new message greeted him.
You completed the quest Animalistic Ritual. You gained 1,500 experience. You learned Nightstalker Transformation.
Druid Spell - Nightstalker Transformation
Requirements
• Druid Class
• Complete Quest Animalistic Ritual
Description: Your body undergoes a physical transformation and turns into a Nightstalker. The form has its own attacks and additions to learn. This effect lasts until canceled.
Mana Cost: 50 MP
Cast Time: 20 seconds
“That was scary,” Atlas commented.
“We learned a while back to not warn people about things like that. Makes them stress out even more with the anxiety beforehand and they still always freak out during the event.”
“I guess it’s bound to be crappy either way. Thanks for the help. I’m about to head to the next city. Finished up everything here.”
“Oh really? I guess at level 15 you would be pretty much done here. Finally off to Nirithan? At least you should finally meet some new people and more diverse races. It’s one of the major hub cities in this part of the world and a common meeting place for guilds and parties.”
“Nirithan, huh? Sounds fun, except it means more people I’ll have to avoid. Had some bad luck with other Reborn early on and prefer to work alone.”
“If that’s what you want, then go for it. In the meantime, take this,” Master Greenfoot said as he handed him a letter, “It will let your next trainer know where you are in your progress. Master Harrama can be a trying woman, but she is fair. Do your best and you’ll have no problems.”
“What’s the best way to get to Nirithan?”
“Follow the road to the east. It veers slightly north as it goes, but leads directly for Nirithan.”
“Thanks again, Master Greenfoot. Until we meet again,” Atlas said and shook the old man’s hand firmly.
He left the building and headed directly for the eastern gate. Before he walked through the enormous gates, a young woman ran up to him, breathing heavy.
“Are you Atlas?”
“Sure am. Can I help you with something?”
The woman nodded and reached into a small bag on her side and withdrew a piece of paper. She handed it over and smiled.
“Delivery complete. We appreciate you using the Kingdom Courier,” she said before she turned and ran away, off to another task.
The Kingdom Courier? Odd.
He looked at the paper and noticed it had his name on the front. In the top left corner was the name PrettyPrincess. With a smile, Atlas opened the paper and looked at the contents.
Hey Atlas,
I can’t thank you guys enough for getting my stuff back to me after the hunt. I found out from the registrar that you handed it over, but I knew it was a group decision since it was all there. If you ever need anything, please let me know. I’ll see you again, eventually.
Pretty
Atlas fidgeted on the side of the road as he read the letter. By the time he reached the bottom, a smile plastered his face. Glad she got her stuff back.
With his spirits a little higher, he continued his trip out of the city and along the road.
***
“State your purpose,” A guard called to him as he approached the city of Nirithan.
“Here to continue my training as a druid.”
“Very well. Proceed to the Magistrate’s office for your Seal of Passage before you go about your business,” the man said as he waved him through.
“How do I get there?”
“Just follow this street until you come across the central square. Turn to the left and it’s the third building down the road. Look for the sign,” The guard said as he almost forcibly shoved him through the gate and out of the way.
Atlas followed his directions and found himself on the steps, the sign of the magistrate swinging in a light breeze. When he pushed through the door, he found two clerks seated at desks. One had a small placard stating Local while the other’s read Regional. He walked over to the Local desk and the man behind the desk peered at him.
“Can I help you?”
“I need to get a Seal of Passage. The guard at the gate directed me here.”
“Of course, sir. Name and reason for arrival?”
“Atlas. I’m here to continue my druid training.”
The clerk nodded along as Atlas spoke, and he scribbled furiously at the paper. He placed the document in a small wicker basket by the side of the desk and then opened a drawer and rifled through the contents. The clerk extended his hand and Atlas saw a small metal disc. He plucked it from the outstretched hand and examined it.
The metal object was slightly larger than an old half-dollar coin. The center of the coin appeared to be some kind of iron, while a brighter metal circled the outside. He couldn’t tell for sure what it was, but it reminded him of aluminum foil. A stamp of a tree was on one side and a crown on the other. Nirithan was embossed below the
