Chapter 40: Shifting Island Part One

A Styx Soul Guardian is playing with his new retractable blades. The spiritual aspects of his body have been altered. To a flesh pulsing purple. Small flakes of purple spirit fall off his body like droplets of blood. An even more imposing blue and golden scaled Naga Holding a large wooden steel-tipped hammer. His large frame imposing he looks like a mix of oceanic predators. His face in particular is pleasing. A thin-framed red-skinned blood elf is rubbing her hands across his face. She doesn't know how to feel she isn't attached to his old look. His smoother jaw and slick face are more attractive especially his eyes.

Lux says, " You have changed so much in a short time." Her heart is a little sore at not being there. She wants to spend as much time as she has left with him. Her face lights up with joy as she takes him in. Her blood-red hair dripping wet. SKY Ocean Hunter sprays her with seawater from his internal water pouch.

SKY Ocean Hunter says, "Says it's only a small step towards our dreams." A display of its attributes appears before Lux. A gentle blush overcomes her. She gushes with joy SKY Ocean Hunter is probably the strongest one here. Luxs' eyes move over to Tatiana. The frigid beauty is the main beneficiary of the other girls doing the Diamond Company quest.

Nineth Immortal with a soft flap of her wings lands next to Tyr. Tyr smiles he can see she is stronger. The liquid silver shine is almost an exact match for mercury. They even fold into her like a second skin. Her weapon has changed to another ill-fitting weapon at least this one is now a crossbow. Tyr arm outstretched as he waves around his own forearm crossbow.

Nineth Immortal says, " Don't try to distract me. You still owe me." Her bright light face is right in front of Tyr. His heart beats a lot faster being so close to her. He can't help but think how alluring she is. He can't believe he is so shy. He has his older self memories which are no help at all. He was a solo friendless freak before he met Aria and by then he felt it was too late for him. Tyr won't let it turn out like that again. He can change it, they can all change it.

Tyr says, "Of course not, we are just waiting for our ride." Tyr smiles standing tall next to her. Clearly nervous and happy he looks at Nineth Immortal right in the eyes. She realizes how close she is trying to move back only to have Tyr hold her arm..."Wait here with me," He says.

Nineth Immortals' face goes a bright beetroot. She stands next to Tyr looking at the eclectic crowd of people around him. Besides his two best friends each of the girls is also very strong. Nineth Immortal using SKY Ocean Hunter and Tatiana as a comparison. While she doesn't doubt that SKY Ocean Hunter is stronger, She is sure that Tatiana is not the least bit weaker. She is faster and has higher magic damage. Plus Nineth Immortal is sure that Tatiana doesn't have access to her main strength yet. Tatiana sensing eyes on her waves at both the girls.

Meeting the gazes of the girls staring at her and with a gentle smile. Tatiana thinks to herself, 'I wonder when I can start recording. Cantos is really really making my fans wait.' She has even shared her starting location to appease the millions of people who follow her on Solatuber. At least her class change quest let her go to the Giant Realm. Plus her moles are already working she needs the streaming revenue to pay them.

A series of howls can be heard by the group. Frey and Styx stop kissing looking at the hounds coming towards them. A small glow envelops Frey and Styx. Styx says, "Don't worry that's our ride." The massive Draft Dogs trotting forward pulling a three-stage carriage. The driver is a soft-skinned plump woman. She has the reigns held tight as she brings the Road Train to a halt in front of the temple.

Medium Bunz says, "You said that it was close! DO you realise how fast these mangy beasts are?! She just faced death numerous times. The Draft Dogs are too powerful and run at their own speed which she could barely control. Her hair is dancing as she disembarks. The passengers in the carriage behind her all look pale and sick like the death God himself. She brought the entire company with her. These eleven lifestyle players are the only ones who passed her test. She has used the minor resources that Tyr and others brought in to see which of the lifestyle players could be trusted. She is still disappointed that of the thirty only ten seem to have a genuine interest in building something real. She is only glad that most of them have different lifestyle classes.

The group to the dismay of the lifestyle players immediately set out towards the coast. Tyr is now back in control. The Draft Dogs look even more filled with energy as the master is back. He mushes them forward. It takes only a few seconds before the Road Train is on the move once more. The wind waves past them. Inside the comfortable carriage everyone but Tyr and Nineth Immortal. There is strange silence inside the Road Train. Medium Bunz knew her boss had weird friends but this is a bit much.

Like Medium Bunz most of the lifestyles are about as knowledgeable as the NPC. Having also received a similar education. They only know the stories of how menacing Blue skinned ice devils. Even worse they are in a carriage with a bloodless one. There is even a reward still out for her kind. And yet even the spiritual beings here seem fine with it. This is the main reason MEdium Bunz has controlled the group. Also, these freaks don't seem to pay them any attention especially the two spiritual beings who have been kissing since they sat down.

NIneth Immortal who is outside with Tyr. Being assaulted by gentle wind says, "Why are we taking Dragon Ridge Pass. It is much faster to go back To Pike."

Tyr who has already activated the wind barrier waits for it to fully envelop the driver's seat before speaking. Tyr says, "I just wanted to enjoy the view with you for a bit. Since we are going to be very busy from on."

Even with the wind calmer Nineth Immortals hair still oscillates and shimmers her liquid sliver making her even more dazzling. The gentle hew of bright red cheeks fallen glimpses and a sift unexpected hand from Tyr settles her. They sit in content silence hand in hand. The mountain road is a cinema of hills, plains, forests, a Beguiling Bog several Rancid Marshes. Nestled in between all these are small pockets of Petrifying beauty is Pike. The Outline of which seems to continue as far as the eye can see. Long lost farms. Abandon mines, buried lines of past roads so unnaturally straight covered by grass of time.

As they come upon the southern coast of Pike. Gloden soft sand stretching out in front of them for miles. Where ever the infinity blue waters of the Barren Sea meets land the golden sand is there. Horde players Hordes of players moving about the beach trying to get to one of the Shifting Islands. The arrival of the muscular Draft Dogs pulling a Road Train. Many players stop and gawk in amazement both at the multi carriage system and the pets pulling it.

More murmurs and pointing fingers as a jambalaya of players come out. A few even asking how it is possible to have already have undergone the race the change quests.

A young man-boy who looks old yet young. Like a newly minted well-weathered guardian says to his friend a rotund friend. This sweaty friend standing next to him watching the passengers from the Road Train alight from it. " Bheki do you think that they are professional. Just look at them they must have come across some secret."

Bheki chewing a piece of bone says, " NO! HA! Professional, not a chance just lucky by my guess. Just like that guy who posted about the Molten Knight variant class." The youth turns his old face. His bafflement is as clear as his odd look.

Bheki continues spitting small bits of bone as he speaks, " Do you not read the forums Olethu. A guardian managed to find a specialist class quest."

Olethu face scrambles even more, " A what class?" His eyes focusing on the bright red spirit girl as her visage fades in and out in a tempting way.

Bheki shaking his head proudly says, "You know when you get to level ten. You have to choose a second base class."

Olethu mouth breathing says, "Of course everyone knows this The only reason we are waiting is because you want us to find a better element for our advancement right."

Bheki smacks him in the back of the head, "Don't tell the whole fucking world..." Olethu grabs the back of his head. Feigning being hurt after all he is also a guardian but Bheki is a Sorcerer so he has low damage..."Anyways that poor guy had to become a Fire-fiend to become a Molten knight."

Olethu says, " That sounds cool thou, a molten knight." He wonders what kind of skills that player will get.

Bheki harrumphs and says, "Not cooler than a Chaos Knight!"

Olethu says, "Getting the Choas element is too rare even amongst pure sorcerers."

Bheki pulls him in close and says, "That's why I'm the brains of this operation, The shifting islands have element stones we just have to find the right one."

Tyr looks at the pair as he helps Nineth Immortal down. The gang standing around are then shown the way by Medium Bunz. She leads them close to the ocean. Medium Bunz says, "As we agreed We are giving Seven of the Rafts we made to Future Guild leader SKY Ocean Hunter." He is surprised since he only ordered one. He gets a thumbs up from Tyr as he pockets the seven glass bottles.

SKY Ocean Hunter says, "Thank you, but seven is too much to find a way to make money." Styx moves forward lifting his hands.

Styx says, "First form the guild SKY, I know Tyr fronted the coins for it and you used your status as the heir of a Drowned house to get the emblem."

SKY Ocean Hunter says, "You sure know a lot without asking a friend. We can do it when we are on our way to the one of the Islands."

Styx shakes his head and says, "You guys don't seem to understand. Do you guys even know who our partners are." Tyr and SKY Ocean Hunter turn to look at the girls. The girls all smile wide.

Tatiana says, "We all have fun clubs thanks to a small banner I made for the stream and a lot of players are joining in the region. Tyr rubs his head this shouldn't affect much since everything is fluid at the moment.

With a naughty look, Nineth Immortal says in Tyrs' ear, "Ask her how many 'fans' have decided to join us." Styx is the one to answer first thou...

Styx says, "Going by the number that used her unique code we can estimate from the guide sales that more than over five hundred thousand players will be joining in Pike over the coming months. That is already after removing the number of players who are lifestyle and None Participating Characters. SKY Ocean Hunters' and Tyrs' mouths both are like open dams. Thoughts at commanding such a large number.

SKY Ocean Hunter says, "Then why didn't you say anything sooner brother." His mood immediately changed. His neck gills flapping in excitement causing a strange rumble from SKY Ocean Hunter.

Styx says, "For the drama, it's more exciting this way." A shimmer as a human ranger appears next to him. He is dressed in full black and several others are standing a bit further back. Styx nods at Shadow thanking him and "You should already know what to do and we need to do it before we leave."

Tyr nods at SKY Ocean Hunter who takes out a clamshell. It is Pearlescent in colour smooth and has the Sunken Reef House Emblem on it. He rubs it's as the system chimes.

---Local Announcement---

[Congratulations to Player SKY Ocean Hunter For founding the First Guild in the Village of Pike]

Awarding Sunken Reef Guild 5000 popularity points.

---Region Announcement---

[Congratulations to Player SKY Ocean Hunter For founding the First Guild in the Region of Apollo]

Awarding Sunken Reef Guild 10000 popularity points.

Awarding Sunken Reef Guild one exploration token!

---National Announcement---

[Congratulations to Player SKY Ocean Hunter For founding the First Guild in the Kingdom of Asrugo.]

Awarding Sunken Reef Guild 15000 popularity points.

Awarding Sunken Reef Guild Rank 1!!!

Awarding Sunken Reef Guild Land Claim!!!!

---Continental Annoucement---

[Congratulations to Player SKY Ocean Hunter for being the seventh player to found a guild on the Continent!]

Awarding Sunken Reef Guild 20000 popularity points.

Awarding Guild Leader SKY Ocean Hunter ***********

Awarding Sunken Reef Guilder Rank 1 member emblem x 10 000

Awarding Sunken Reef Guild Number 7 Continental Slot

---Message from Thaw to SKY Ocean Hunter--

/Thaw -Challenge accepted!

/What challenged? - [Erorr 304- This user cannot receive messges]

---End of message ---

Tyr nods in agreement in his old plan he would never allow them to do this until they at least had strong guilds his first plan was to fly under the radar. Due to his chat with Raul, he now believes this is the best cause. Screw changes to the timeline they will get everything they can as fast as they can. This will help with that. Early game is about resource gathering which requires numbers over skills.

SKY Ocean Hunter added player!

---Lux added

---Frey added

---Nineth Immortal added

---Tatiana added

Reefers Channel created!

---Styx added

Black Legion channel Created

Styx has added player (S)

-Shadow

-Lordo

-Esame'el

-Eclipse

--- added Tyr

Nogus' Creations Channel created

Tyr has added Player(s)

- Medium Bunz

- Roguestien

- Peppa

- Mighty Joe Young

- RipperJ

- Poppi

- Sweatshirt

- Meerz

- Acarid

- Doodle

SKY Ocean Hunter says, "which Island are we going to?" In the distance are four small heavily clouded islands.

Tyr and Styx say at the time, "The Red Iron Island." The friends smile at each other.

Back at the windy Mountain on the pass above them a haggard player can finally smile as he has followed this crazy Road Train from Pike through hills, collapsing roads and finally over the mountain road. He sends a message to his leader.