“Layla’s… impulsive… race change aside, are we going to strategize at all about these ‘Options’?” Rory stared at the panel in front of him, then looked up to the others, “What if we end up bollocking ourselves by not having a balanced lot?

  “My next set is class selection. Looks like I’ve got one basic and a few more exotic choices, but they’ll eat my charge,” Erin replied and spun the panel around so the others could look.

  “Wow, no berserker. I wouldn’t have bet on that,” Jack grinned at her.

  “Maybe I’m less angry than you think,” she huffed back at him.

  “Pfft. Not likely,” Layla joined in teasing her.

  “So, what do we think?” Erin tried to wrangle the conversation back on topic.

  “Dreadnought seems like your bit. You don’t particularly care for magic,” Rory chimed in.

  That seemed to crystallize Erin’s opinion, and she slapped at the panel, releasing a powerful green flare of light.

  “It made me a Laborer!?” Erin goggled at the screen.

  Jack glanced up, “Yeah, but it looks like it’s got some synergy there. Maybe it’ll help with wearing a lot of armor?”

  “Oh. I guess,” Erin grumbled, “What about you? Whatcha got?”

  He looked over the list for a moment, “Looks like I’m stuck with either the basic Warrior class or some kind of hybrid.”

  “I vote anything but Paladin,” Layla chimed in.

  After a puzzled moment, the light bulb came on, “Oh, cause of your holy magic thing! I would never-”

  “All the same, Jack, I’d rather you not focus on the easiest way to PVP me,” she looked genuinely worried.

  “C’mon, El. You know I’d never. But sure, I’ll pick something else,” he smiled warmly at her.

  “Thanks, Jack,” she smiled pointy teeth as her new tail swished back and forth.

  “I wonder what ‘Night’ magic is, though.”

  “You dorks, I swear. Just touch it and a little screen pops up. It’s literally click here for more information,” Layla groaned at him.

  “Oh. So, it’s like a death knight sorta thing,” his mouth slowly turned up at the edges. He punched the panel and a shimmer of green light brought a new screen.

  Stolen content alert: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.

  “This is the price I pay for letting my mom teach me to cook when I was a kid,” he groaned.

  “Oh, you’re in for it buddy. You’re gonna make so many pancakes,” Erin squealed in delight.

  “I’m a dark knight of doom and death, and you think I’m gonna make pancakes?” he smiled.

  “Yes. So many pancakes,” she cackled.

  “Yeah mate, pancakes all round,” Rory pitched in.

  “Alright, alright. What are you working with over there?” Jack abruptly changed the subject.

  “Seems I have two basics,” he replied, “and some pretty interesting alternatives. Believe I’ll hold on to my charge for now,” he tapped the panel and a green flash revealed his class layout.

  “That seems a little on the nose, you being a merchant. Don’t you work in sales?” Layla asked him.

  “Notice it’s giving us secondaries that fit our skills?” he replied. “Looks like I got an extra bit for saving my charge.”

  She just frowned at him, “I only have the two basic entries.”

  “As if I’d pick anything other than mage,” she harumphed, “Real, actual magic, and I’m gonna choose pick pockets and open locks as my career. Pppthththbbbbttt-” She blew a raspberry at Rory, who returned the gesture with a smile and stuck out the tip of his tongue.

  As Layla made her choice, and the flash of green light subsided, the four obelisks rapidly sank into the dais, melting away like sandcastles taken by the tide. In their place rose four ironbound chests of good size.

  “Hey, presents!” Layla and Erin shouted together and laughed as they dove into the boxes. Inside were tunics and breeches, undergarments, backpacks with basic wilderness supplies, hardtack biscuits and a waterskin, and basic equipment for each of their roles. Erin’s chest was primarily filled with a bulky suit of blackened steel armor, thick plates hammered and pinned together. Jack’s box had a much lighter suit of half-plate and a sturdily built longsword, which he hefted in two hands and gave a wide, sweeping swing. Rory’s box contained a beautiful supple set of leathers and other finery, and a superbly crafted quillion dagger. Finally, Layla’s chest contained no gear save an exquisite white silk chemise and a gorgeous red and black gown.

  “Guess they’ve pretty much got my number down,” she waggled her eyebrows at Erin.

  “Yeah, you’re clearly meant to twerk the monsters to death,” she laughed back.

  In the distance, through the darkness of the cave, a vertical slash of daylight appeared in the rock face, slowly growing wider as the cave seemed to yawn open into the new world of Ayrgard.

  “I think think the intro cut scene is over guys.”