The Ruby Magician

The cool cavern was comforting against Wyn's sore body. It was a pleasant temperature, and his jacket wasn't even needed to keep himself comfortable. He took it off along with his outer pieces of armor and stored in his pack, then settled against the carved rock to close his eyes.

The rock was smooth and equally cool, providing a soothing balm to his aches. Clearing the ninth floor was no small task, and the boss being a giant underground armored worm was a difficult and disgusting fight. It oozed foul smelling blood when it was hurt, and spit worse smelling acid as an attack.

Now, relaxing on the tenth floor was welcomed. He just wanted a few minutes to calm down before joining the others in one of the pools to wash and rest.

The cave was large and spacious, and unlike anything Wyn had seen. The ceiling was domed and easily a hundred feet tall, full of moss, slick grey stone, and outcroppings where small plants and herbs grew to create small pockets of gardens full of life. Two large beams of sunlight poured in through two large gaps in the stone ceiling, creating enough light to see but dim enough to create a more serene atmosphere. Scattered along the ground were various pools of water, half of which were crystal clear and sized from a small basin to a lounging pool, and the other half were cloudy and dense, warm to the touch and surrounded by algae and grass covered smooth rocks.

Carved stone chairs and benches were littered through the cavern, too, creating ideal seats and spots to rest. The entire space was larger than the training hall, giving enough room for a dozen climbing teams to be here and not hear each other talk while resting.

After a few minutes, Wyn shed his clothes down to his undergarments and joined the others in one of the cloudy pools. It was even more soothing than the chair, and when he submerged inside it, he began to scrub his body of the foul stench of the boss worm. The pool magically took the smell away and left him feeling instantly refreshed.

"About time," Marcy said. Her head was resting on a moss covered stone while she kept her eyes closed. "You still smelled like piss and eggs."

"And now I'm not eating eggs ever again," Cedric said.

"Sorry," Wyn said, shrugging his shoulders over the surface. "I just wanted a few minutes to myself."

Cal lifted his arms above the pool and rested them on the smooth rocks. "I get it. It's nice to have some time for just your thoughts. I have to have that or I'll go mad."

"Speaking of thoughts," John said, "have you given more to the item set you're going to pick, Cal? We can likely get it in the next day or two."

After collecting several more blue rarity items, the group had enough collected to trade for one complete purple rarity set. And that was while keeping the stash they found during the ant floor with the secret room.

"I'm still narrowing it down," Cal said. "But it might be better to hear what all of you think."

"Go for it," Wyn said. "Though Cedric is our resident item expert."

Marcy nudged the Storm Sage on the shoulder and he just rolled his eyes.

"I do appreciate you finding the two," Cal said. "The Void Knight set looks sleek but intimidating. Almost like a walking demon."

"And that's why it's so damn good!" John said with a wide grin.

Cal winced. "It… doesn't really fit me, though."

"Aesthetics aside, the set is still great," Cedric added. "It's defensive-oriented while weakening enemies, something that isn't common on Fighter's equipment."

"True, but the effect is a bit odd. Draining their lifeforce to improve my own? Or stealing their mana? That sounds nice, but gods, that really does sound like a demon."

"That's how my detrimental effects work," Wyn said with a shrug. "And you've seen how effective they are."

"Aren't you enough, though? Do we really need someone else who can do the same things as you?"

Tasha nodded while taking a drink of a cup that was set behind her head. "That's a fair point. So that leaves Valor's Disciple."

"Right, which feels more aligned with me, anyway. The look is more Paladin-like and noble, too."

Marcy chuckled. "Does that really matter? We just want the effects, after all. Who cares how it looks."

"Well, the effects are still great! Similarly defensive but more supportive. I'll have some healing and other helpful effects while being able to boost everyone."

Cedric elongated his left arm to easily grab a cup that was resting on the opposite side of their pool. Only Cal stared at the arm, still not as used to it as the others. "Three of us already boost each other, and two of those are so supportive that we all feel the beneficial effects and are soaring through the floors. Do we really need a third?"

"We're soaring through the floors because we haven't pushed into the third tier, yet," Wyn countered. "And what's wrong with having more support? The more the merrier, I say. It would help spread out the need, making sure we're all protected."

Marcy settled against the smooth stone at her back and closed her eyes. "I'm not against it. Wyn's already enough for debuffing enemies. My vote is for Cal to choose what he wants. Wyn can figure out the team dynamics from there."

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Wyn nodded his head. "That's right. Which one do you like more, Cal?"

Cal thought for a few seconds before answering. "I have to choose Valor's Disciple. It's more supportive and protective but that's what I am, anyway. I know it's similar to John and Tasha, but…"

"But nothing," Wyn finished for him. "John is more offensive, now, and Tasha is still our primary healer and supporter. You'll be our defender while all three of you can individually help each other and the rest of us. It'll be great."

"We'll be damn strong," John said, flexing his arm. "The third tier won't know what hit them!"

Cal laughed. "I hope so. Thanks again for agreeing to the whole set. It's five pieces, but the effects are powerful."

"And it leaves some room for another set," Cedric added. "I already had a backup in case you chose it. For your weapon, shield, and cloak that will compliment it nicely."

Marcy sighed. "Of course you do."

Their time passed with lighter discussion from there as the six of them settled into more relaxing topics. As another half hour passed, they started to leave before being interrupted.

"How did I know you all would be here," a familiar voice said.

Wyn turned to the source, a smile on his face as he extended a hand in greeting. "Hello, Nigel. Coming to relax, too, or just passing through?"

Nigel shook Wyn's hand. "We all need some time to recover both physically and mentally. We finished the second tier last week and have been coming here each evening to enjoy the month's spoils."

Wyn looked at Nigel's team just behind them and saw them preparing themselves to lounge in a pool. They didn't care about modesty and were stripping both their armor and clothes in one of the denser salt pools.

"We just finished the ninth floor," Wyn said. "Trying to figure out what to do, next."

"That's commendable with only five people. This season isn't the worst, but it still has its challenges."

The rest of Wyn's team joined the pair, and they greeted each other. Then Wyn introduced Cal.

"So you didn't just have five people," Nigel said with a smirk. He glanced at Cal, looking him up and down briefly. "I see why you wanted him. You look like a formidable Climber."

"We've climbed together before," Cal said. "I left the city for… personal reasons, then just returned. I'm a Paladin."

Nigel's smirk turned into a genuine smile. "A welcomed return, then! Too bad you didn't come back months ago and rejoin their team. Maybe the Twilight Blades would still be together."

"Have you talked to Gregory or Caryn about joining us?" Tasha asked.

Nigel shook his head. "I'm afraid they are taking their own break from climbing. I'm supposed to meet up with Gregory at the end of the week but not to talk about guilds. That's still a sensitive topic."

"We're hoping to get the guild approved before long," Wyn said. "Aureus is waiting for a guild spot to open before he can approve us. Supposedly a guild is retiring soon."

"I believe before the end of next month, yes," Nigel said. "The Lion's Share. They're clearing out their guild house and preparing to move on to other things, and this is the last season they're climbing. It should be free in two or three weeks."

Wyn couldn't help but smile at the news, and he knew the others were equally happy. John actually gasped and hugged Tasha.

"We need to stay in touch, then, so we can coordinate all of us moving in," Wyn said. "The moment we get the approval and the house's location we can notify you."

Nigel bowed. "That would be greatly appreciated. I'll talk to Gregory about joining us and hopefully he'll be receptive."

"That just leaves who gets what part of the house," John said, still hugging Tasha.

"I believe we're the senior Climbers," Nigel said, his mouth curling playfully.

John smiled devilishly. "Maybe we should duel for it."

Nigel's group, apparently overhearing, cheered and goaded them from the pool. Marcy did the same.

"Bets on who wins, best of three rounds!" Marcy said, walking over to the other group. Several of them jumped out of the water and rushed to their packs to retrieve betting collateral.

Wyn was reminded of Faye and Brett constantly betting, and hoped he'd be able to connect with them soon. They were good people, and good Climbers. It would be worth having them all together again.

It would also be worth having Arabelle and her group join them, too. Deep down he knew that Arabelle would be an even better Climber than him one day. He just wanted to set her up to be as successful as possible.

*****

"My, isn't this just lovely!" Wendy said, intertwining her fingers with Daniel's.

Daniel smiled broadly at her while picking up a cup of tea with his other hand. He carefully sipped it while Wendy watched Arabelle clean up.

The three of them just finished dinner in Daniel's apartment while Arabelle insisted on cleaning up as the couple relaxed on the couch. She had said all Wendy does is clean after people, and it wasn't fair that she had to do the same for a personal dinner. Daniel agreed, saying he always cleaned up for the pair, but Arabelle convinced them by saying they deserved to have some time to relax without any chores.

Daniel was delighted at how happy the gesture made Wendy, and Arabelle was happy to help.

It also didn't hurt that he would likely go easy on her during their next training session, and Arabelle selfishly wanted a bit of a break.

Once she was done cleaning, Arabelle brought another pot of tea to continue their evening. Wendy gently smacked Daniel on the arm, making Arabelle laugh as she sat the pot down on the small table.

"What did I miss?" Arabelle asked, failing to suppress a smirk.

"Oh, nothing so bad," Daniel said. "I'm just a worry wart, you know that."

Wendy playfully scoffed. "He was complaining about how you and Wyn climbed the fourth floor by yourselves. That it was dangerous and too risky and I told him to give you some freedom! Both you and your brother are incredibly capable Climbers. It's cute you're worried, dear, but she needs support, not concern."

"Even capable Climbers can make mistakes," Daniel said, flinching when Wendy lightly hit him again.

"True, but we were careful," Arabelle said. "I wouldn't go in again just two of us, but it definitely gave me confidence about climbing."

"That's wonderful!" Wendy said. "You should be confident. You're so skilled!"

"We both are," Arabelle said, filling her cup with tea. "Wyn, too, I mean."

Daniel sighed. "I know you are. I just never had kids of my own, and, well…"

Wendy held him tighter and he smiled at her again.

Arabelle knew what he meant even without him saying it out loud. That she and Wyn felt like his children. She considered Daniel to be the father she never had, even in the relatively short time they had been together in the city. He was her mentor, yes, but he genuinely cared about her both as a Climber and a person.

She quickly sipped her tea and forced the rising tears away. She didn't want to embarrass herself.

"How is the guild progress going?" Wendy asked.

Arabelle felt relieved she changed the subject. "It's not at the moment. We're still waiting to hear back from the Tower Master about the guild that's retiring so we have a spot. At least we're next in line."

Daniel set his cup on the table and squeezed Wendy's hand. "I didn't think I would be, but I'm actually excited about it! The thought of helping more Climbers and teaching them is a wonderful one."

Arabelle smiled. Daniel's students – two Ruby Magicians and two other unique classes – all have been doing well since he took them on as a mentor. They all had groups of their own and had been climbing successfully, while still joining him and her for training sessions. Their success was a testament to his ability to teach climbing principles and magical understanding.

He came a long way from his grumpy demeanor when her brother first met him. Wyn would tell stories of how Daniel was at first, and Arabelle could hardly believe him. The elder Ruby Magician had changed so much. All for the better.

"It will be a wonderful source of income, too," Wendy added.

Daniel nodded. "Yes, the stipend from the city guild isn't terribly much."

Arabelle looked at the couple. They weren't rich by any means, but Wendy made a decent income working at the guild hall. Tips from Climbers were by no means small, and compared to most waiters Arabelle knew she was doing well. Daniel, on the other hand, lived off a meager combination of using a small amount of funds from his climbing days and the salary the city guild paid for teaching new Climbers.

But that was about to change for the better.

"Then it's a good thing you'll be making a lot more next week," Arabelle said.

Daniel furrowed his eyebrows. "I thought you said the guild wasn't finalized yet?"

Arabelle failed to suppress a grin. "Wyn and I want to return to the fourth floor at least two more times before the month ends. Climbing outside of my group's regular climbing schedule affords me some extra benefits."

"No," Daniel said, his voice firm. "I appreciate what you're insinuating, but I won't take your charity. You have your own life to live and save for!"

"Who said I was going to give you anything?" Arabelle couldn't help the playful smile steadily growing on her face. She was all but giving her secret plan away.

After clearing the fourth floor, both her and Wyn had wanted to return, but agreed on not doing with just the two of them. Arabelle expressed that it scared her, and Wyn respected her decision to not want to go in as a pair. Instead, they came up with an idea that was foolproof. Because if they could clear the floor with just the two of them, having a third person meant they could basically tag along without any responsibility as the difficulty would be easier.

Daniel stared at her for a moment before his confusion turned to surprise. "You don't mean…"

"I do," Arabelle said after he trailed off. "You're coming with us."