7: Freya

They gazed with apprehension at the green sparks darting around, familiar to Marlon but alien to Freya, who looked at them with wonder in her eyes. They began to fizz and the chest started to expand and bulge until it finally burst in a shower of lime sparks. Marlon knew instantly that she had gotten an uncommon item. He looked at the floating book with mild suprise. She had also gotten a spell. Freya reached forward and slowly took the book. An information interface popped up for both of them to see.

(Care of the Pack - Healing Spell - Uncommon Grade

A slightly rarer spell among the mystic wolves, the recipient of the cast will regenerate 5 of each stat point a minute. This spell is half as effective if cast on yourself.

Cost: 3 mana/minuet)

Freya and Marlon both smiled. Freya was a passive girl, and was rather intimidated by this new world and the prospect of fighting scared her. As a healer, she could help Marlon and not have to fight. Marlon needed increased mana regeneration, and this seemed to be the perfect answer. Freya instantly learnt the spell, and discussed the outcome with Marlon. He showed her his skill, and explained the connection between his lack of mana and her new skill. She, in turn, let him in on her dislike of fighting and her contradictory need to contribute, and how this would be perfect. "A-already we make a good team." Freya said shyly. Marlon agreed.

"Maybe you should open the second chest? My luck had run out by then, and my result was pretty rubbish. I got a bow but no arrows!" Freya giggle quietly, and activated the next chest. This time there was a swirl of grey sparks, but another round of lime green sparkles greeted them as the chest burst open. [Oh, what's this? The two luckiest people in the game have teamed up! Your future enemies are in for a treat!] Freya looked at the manual floating, and gently took it. Another description appeared, and they looked at it.

(Light Feet - Status Spell - Uncommon Grade

A widespread spell, used to level up the target entity's speed. Can be used on summoned creatures.

Speed: +5

Duration: 30 seconds

Cost: 5 mana)

Marlon whistled through his teeth. This seemed to get better and better. The spell perfectly fitted Freya's role as a support mage, and it could be applied to his Golem. Freya smiled at him shyly and learnt the spell. "Sh-shall I cast it on you? You know, j-just as a test... I-I mean you don't have to, but-" "Sure!" Marlon interrupted, "If anything, it will convince people not to mess with us." "O-ok... H-here goes...". Marlon saw her face scrunch up in concentration, and blue light shoot out of her hands and into him. Instantly, the warm glow he was bathed in made his body feel a hundred times lighter, and he could feel his muscles stretch and grow to accommodate the speed.

He took and experimental step, and travel almost twice as far with almost half the effort. Marlon began to sprint, the wind rushing in his hair, and his speed reaching new heights. He dashed and jumped higher than usual, and reveled in the feeling of flight. Untill... the effect ran out, and he was sent tumbling back towards Freya. The light sound of her applause flushed his cheeks as he picked himself up, and he mentally scanned himself for bumps and bruises. Finding none, he turned to find some much louder clapping ensue. [Well done! You obviously know how to use spells now, so you're pretty advanced at this point.] Marlon knew something big was coming, and he tensed himself mentally, as such a build-up couldn't be inconsequential. He saw Freya move closer to him, and he knew she recognised the build up too.

[Alrighty! I'm in a good mood, so, I'll give you, say 5 minutes? That seems good.] "Five minutes 'till what?" someone yelled. [Oh yeah, I didn't tell you. Well, we can't have a game if you are all bunched up in one place, so took it upon myself to find a solution. My solution is this: summon a level 200 bear in this area!]. Marlon's jaw went slack. Level 200!?!?! He doubted that even if they all worked together, that they could even scratch the bear. [Don't worry, I'll keep it from running out of a certain range. But as I said, I'm feeling generous today, so you get 5 minutes to find a group and run! By the way, if you need to ask a question, or have no friends and need someone to chat to, I'll be living in your help section.].

Marlon showed a shocked and angry expression, but inside he was pumping his mental fist. This would be the perfect excuse to find a base camp, and hook up with some allies along the way. He had no doubt the sky baby would be able to keep the bear contained, so he was hopeful about new, less informed recruits seeking aid. [Oh, I forgot to mention! You should probably ready yourselves, as once the five minutes is up, NPCs and monsters will start spawning! And, death is permanent! I should really have mentioned that. Anyhow... READYSETGO! FIVE MINUTES BEFORE YOU RUN OR DIE!"