Monster Ten - Class

Monster Ten - Class

Monster Ten - Class

I leaned forwards onto my desk, eyes blinking the slow blink of someone right on the edge of sleep, but who was too focused to give in to actual sleep. Id sleep later. There was reading to do now.

I had a book before me, as was usual. It was an ancient text written by the Dark Goddess herself. Once, a long time ago, the Dark Goddess had had more human followers, and she had penned a few guides for them to use the more complex parts of her own element.

I didnt know what happened to the followers, but the books remained, and while the wording in them was dated, there was a lot to be learned from studying them. No one knew Dark magic like the god of Darkness herself.

I blinked a few times to clear the blurriness in my vision. My lips moved, and I leaned closer to the page. So far, things had only made tangential sense. There was the first layer, which was, for the most part, common sense, but past that things grew more complex, and I had a hard time connecting the dots.

But this, this was like having all the puzzle pieces, then catching a glimpse of the puzzle box. Suddenly all the little bits that I had all came together. I... I started. It was there, a moment of absolute comprehension, like finding the word that had been on the tip of my tongue at long last.

[Congratulations!]

[Through your actions, you have unlocked the potential to obtain the following classes:

Harbinger of the Dark Tide

Do you wish to learn more about these classes or accept them into yourself?]

I had to stare at the prompt for a good long while before the words truly registered.

Then I was out of my chair and screaming. Mom!

My voice echoed out into the corridor as I stumbled out of my (very clean and tidy) bedroom. It bounced up along the corridor, followed by the rapid pitter-patter of my footsteps as I rushed towards the far end of the castle.

Mom! Mom! Mom! I shouted louder and louder as I sprinted for all I was worth.

I reached a staircase and my screams were cut off as I panted my way up the steps, taking them two at a time. It didnt take long to reach the top, not with the amount of manic energy I had at my disposal.

At the top, I rushed down another corridor, then towards the room at the end. Two monsters guarded a large set of reinforced doors, each made of the wood of some extinct tree and covered in delicate carvings of monstrous creatures bowing to a great, three-headed dragon.

I rammed through the door and stumbled into the room beyond.

Luciana was seated at a small desk, night gown draped casually over her form like a wispy afterthought. She looked up from the text she was reading, one eyebrow raised.

I was just glad mom wasnt sleeping. The Dark Goddess only slept when she was in a particular mood. It was, the goddess said, a good way to rest and meditate.

Mom! I shouted as I scampered across the room.

Luciana stood up with easy grace, then stumbled back with less easy grace as I ran into her at full speed.

Mom!

Yes? the goddess asked.

I took a deep, deep breath. I got a new class!

Oh, I said. I screwed up my face, bunched up my nose, and concentrated very hard. Then I realized I wasnt focusing on anything in particular and tried to think yes.

[Congratulations!]

[You have unlocked the Harbinger of the Dark Tide Class.]

The Harbinger of the Dark Tide is the one at the fore, maker of monsters and nemesis of Order. The Harbinger raises grand armies of monstrous servants to accomplish tasks both mundane and cruel. Clothe yourself in the destruction of your foes, and strive ever forwards as the forerunner of the endless Dark.

Whoa, I said as she read the prompt. I quickly relayed what I read to Luciana. What do you think?

The goddess sighed. Terribly dramatic and needlessly convoluted. Every class receives such overblown descriptions.

Oh, I said, shoulders hunching a little. I thought it sounded nice.

Yes, well, Im certain youll... live up to the hype, as it were, The Dark Goddess said. I look forward to seeing you become a... fearsome forerunner of the endless dark.

My spirits were instantly lifted. Yeah!

What were you doing before all of this excitement? Luciana asked.

I was studying. One of... uh, I paused.

One of? Luciana asked.

I felt blood rushing to her cheeks. Nothing. Just a plain, normal book.

Yes, certainly not one of the not-so-plain books I explicitly forbid you from reading?

Course not, I said. I should go back to my room now.

Yes, you should, Luciana said. Youre still in your day clothes. And at this rate you wont be waking up before noon tomorrow. Such an undisciplined child. Perhaps instead of being excited about your new class, you should forerun back to bed?

I stared.

The Dark Goddess stared back.

Was that a pun?

Go to bed, Valeria.

Yes, Mom!

And stop calling me that!

Night, Mom! I called back. I had to stifle a yawn next. I really was tired. Love you lots!

... Yes, well, go to sleep.

***