Mateo wakes holding a humanoid sized Natalia. Natalia opens her cerulean eyes in a panic realizing she’s given up that she can be larger.


    “Mateo,” Natalia says attempting to flee.


    “It’s too late now, I’ve already seen big you,” Mateo says.


    Natalia stops letting out a sigh as she moves closer to him. She places her head on his chest nervously.


    “Aureillius was good to me, I sense the same passion in you, he told me he loved me often and I didn’t understand why until he was gone, do you love me Mateo?”


    “Not really,” Mateo replies.


    “You asshole,” Natalia yells slapping his shoulder.


    “I’m just kidding Nat,” he says fending off her assault.


    Natalia shrinks down to her usual size squinting her eyes at him before floating off angrily.


    Mateo steps into the the tavern where Terror, Okami and Serenity are enjoying breakfast. Serenity stands opening her mouth and Mateo holds out his hand to shush her.


    “Are you sure you want to talk here,” he says joining Terror and Okami at the table.


    “Alone then,” Serenity says visibly upset.


    “What’s for breakfast?” Mateo asks as she stomps off.


    “Chikus eggs and fried boardrel,” Okami replies.


    Chikus are a small chicken-like creature. They taste like chickens too. They’re about three feet tall though.


    Okami gives Mateo a curious glance.


    “Mateo, can you hear the narrator?” He asks.


    “There’s a voice in my head that explains this world to me sometimes, not quite as annoying as Natalia,” Mateo replies.


    “Hey, why are you picking on me all of a sudden!” Natalia protests floating above him.


    “I’m envious,” Okami says.


    “Terror no need explanation, when Terror doesn’t know something, he pummels it out of existence, violence is answer,” Terror says slamming his fist into his open palm.


    Idle conversation fills the air as the newbie adventurers enjoy breakfast. After the pleasantries Mateo puts on a stern face and enters Serenity’s room. She sits at the edge of her bed avoiding eye contact. You could cut the tension in the air with a misplaced glance.


    “You know then,” she says brushing her dark hair behind her pointy ear nervously.


    Mateo steps in-front of her and lifts her chin with his fingertips staring deeply into her bright pink eyes.


    “You put me under the wrong impression, I thought there was something between us,” he pauses for a moment, “I trusted you.”


    Mateo pulls his hand away and steps toward the door. He stops in the doorway as Serenity begins to sob.


    “It’s a shame, I came from another world with a broken heart, only to feel that same pain again as soon as I entered this one,” Mateo says the words treading across his lips like a cold mist.


    “Wait, what are you taking about?” Serenity sniffles raising her eyes to him.


    “You were with that man last night,” Mateo says unable to hide his anger.


    Serenity stares at him unable to control her sorrow.


    “You think we had sex?” She says her lips quivering.


    “Well, didn’t you?” Mateo asks.


    “No, he was from the church of Revival, he was checking to see,” she stops staring at the floor as cold tears run down her cheeks dripping off her chin as they form a small puddle on the floor.


    Mateo shuts the door stepping away from it. He rejoins Serenity on her bed. She sobs into her palms for a bit before burying her face in Mateo’s chest. He rubs her back gently unsure how to feel. He had entered with a strong resolute will thinking she had been promiscuous with someone else like a past lover. He hadn’t even stopped to think that it could be something else even after Natalia warned him.


    “Serenity, what’s wrong?” He asks regaining his own faculties.


    She looks up into his hazel eyes hers two bright pink oceans of sorrow.


    “The curse,” she cries her voice a quivering sadness, “I can’t bear offspring.”


    Mateo runs his fingers through her soft midnight hair trying to comfort her.


    “It’s ok, we’ve got Nat,” he says jokingly.


    She laughs through her tears a little leaning up to meet his gaze.


    “She is kinda like a little you, but cuter,” she says with a forced smile.


    “Hey now,” Mateo sighs, “Serenity I’m sorry, I should have trusted you and I didn’t, how can I make it up to you?”


    “You could start by getting some robes that don’t smell like a wet dog,” she replies brushing tears from her cheeks jokingly.


    Mateo finds comfort that Serenity hasn’t betrayed him and decides to spend the day with her to help her come to terms with her infertility.


    Warm sunlight graces their skin as Mateo leads Serenity to a pleasant grotto near the tavern. He unfolds a small cloth laying out several sandwiches of varying thinly sliced meats. Serenity smiles as she takes a bite of hers.


    “These are good, what are they?” She asks.


    “Boardrel, chikus, and some kind of sausage, do you know sausage in this world?” Mateo asks.


    “Likely cured goatviel,” she says taking another bite.


    Goatveil are similar to the goats from Mateo’s world. They’re bred and slaughtered like cows though. Most even have the same patchy black and white color patterns too. And, they’re damned delicious.


    “Serenity, I wanted to share something with you, something that I only trust you and Natalia with right now, Terror would laugh at me, and Okami wouldn’t understand.”


    “Yes,” she says with a mouthful of sandwich.


    “I’m terrified, I am so fucking terrified of this place, I’ve been thrust into it at the bottom of the food chain and the shit at the top seems to want to eat me, if I hadn’t caught that Archon from Drakvania off guard he would have killed me and Natalia,” Mateo says.


    “Yet he’s dead and you’re here, my brother shared one bit of advice with me that I hold dear, I’m not sure how Natalia will translate this, but I’ll tell you anyway, we had just lost our healer, a stray arrow through the skull, and the battle seemed lost, hordes of goblins surrounded us, he held out his hand and pulled me to my feet staring directly into my eyes and uttered four words, ‘It is all bullshit’, he said, the gods, the ruling class, the rich, the poor, everything around you is bullshit, always has been, always will be, you just have to shovel that shit out of your way and keep going.”


    “I highly doubt that translated right,” Mateo says smiling at Serenity.


    “What, is there something on my face?”


    “Yes, beauty.”


    The following day they all meet up in the dining hall of the tavern and Terror hands Mateo a bounty.If you find this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the infringement.


    “Is no elemental hydra, but Terror knows is good for coin.”


    “Goblins then, am I to become the goblin slayer?” Mateo asks.


    “Terror gets you something special, but Terror cannot give to you for free, this make you coin to pay Terror,” he replies crossing his massive arms.


    Mateo grabs the quest and takes it to Judy. Judy is still somewhat unsettled from their last meeting.


    “Hello Judy, you smell pleasant today, is that peppermint and cinnamon?”


    “I don’t know what those are, but it is an aroma from the local flora,” she replies.


    Mateo places the bounty on the desk and Judy stamps it reluctantly.


    “Goblins, eek, do try not to capture any of them and carry them around like those slimes,” Judy says with a concerned glance.


    “I promise I won’t bring back any goblin girls,” Mateo says with a smile.


    Okami grabs Mateo’s shoulder with a perverse wolven smile.


    “If there are goblin girls-,” he says before everyone cuts him off.


    “No!” They yell in unison.


    Okami hangs his head sadly and they head for the wagon. The ‘Crystal Caves of Obliteration’ are a couple of days ride out. Terror, impatient to find out what fighting style Mateo will acquire pulls him aside as they rest at the first moon rise.


    Stars sparkle amongst a brilliant night sky in what Okami says is mid Maius, similar to the middle of May in his realm. A pleasant breeze blows about the golden leaves as Terror sits cross legged by Mateo setting a book in-front of him.


    “Terror know this is tome of Mortal Arts, Terror thinks you may need this to fulfill bounty.”


    The tome itself is a hard cover book lined with a steel-colored metal. The spine is a sturdy and hefty metal binding. Mateo lifts it placing his fingers over a copper clasp. Terror places his hand over Mateo’s with a toothy smile.


    “Terror excited to know how you perpetrate violence, but don’t forget to pay terror back, tome of Mortal Arts is not cheap, and Terror gives you discount by accepting the little coin your bounty acquires.”


    “Don’t worry Terror, I think we’ll all be together for a bit, so I won’t forget what I owe you,” Mateo says with a smile.


    “Open the damn book, I’m dying here!” Natalia yells.


    Terror removes his hand and Mateo flips open the clasp. The book rises into the air and the pages flip open in a fury as dark words fill the air swirling around Mateo. His eyes grow wide, and his mouth and ears let off a strange glow as the words force their way into his mind. The world changes from a forest into a blinding light and a wave of power rushes over Mateo.


    The world turns from light to dark and Mateo opens his eyes finding himself in an empty courtyard. He leans up and a young woman in a martial arts Gi approaches him.


    “Who are you, where am I?” He asks.


    Long jade hair runs down her back complimenting her dark green eyes. Her body moves into a fighting stance with tactile precision.


    “I am Ryukaze, the wind dragon, here you will learn to fight alongside me,” she replies charging him.


    Mateo crosses his arms as a flurry of strikes force him backward. He pants falling to one knee. The audible force of a wind gust turns his attention to his rear where the woman is using her open hands to force gusts of slicing wind at him. The wind cuts shallow wounds into his forearms as he blocks it. Blood runs down his arms dripping off his fingertips as he pants.


    “What the hell is this?” He asks.


    “Perhaps you need some motivation,” she says snapping her fingers.


    A mirage of Serenity tied to a chair appears between them. She struggles against her bindings staring at Mateo in a very real panic.


    “I don’t know who you are, but I’m not going to let you lay a finger on Serenity,” Mateo yells charging her.


    Ryukaze opens with a flurry of strikes. Mateo counters almost instinctually. Their fists cancel out each other and Ryukaze changes her stance.


    “Show me the strength of the shadows, voidwalker,” she says with a smile.


    Essence level 2 unlocked- Voidspace unlocked, shadow jump unlocked, pixie’s kiss unlocked.


    Viodspace- voidwalker ability, voidspace grants you a small cabin in the void with which to reside when not in combat. Your items may be store here, perishable items will not degrade in void space.


    Shadow Jump- voidwalker ability, shadow jump allows user to jump between shadows. Cooldown, none, souldrain, moderate.


    Pixie’s Kiss- realm walker ability, Voidwalker’s pixie may revive Voidwalker with a kiss once every twenty-one hours. This ability must be used within thirty seconds of Voidwalker’s demise.


    Ryukaze grabs Mateo’s Gi tossing him away like he’s weightless. She holds out her hands to cast another spell. Blood fizzles in Mateo’s veins as he wipes it from his lips. He gives a playful grin as his blood turns from a sizzle to a rolling boil. Holding his hand out fingers spread wide violet bolts of lighting clash with razor sharp blades of wind. A dark aura takes hold of him and his essence gives off an ominous violet glow.


    “Those who walk in the shadows, bring only death,” he chants.


    Ryukaze smiles as Mateo disappears, reappearing behind her. He grabs her Gi forcing her oven his knee and onto the ground. Unable to counter the speed of his attack she lies helpless as he climbs on top of her raising his fist ready to pummel her relentlessly.


    “Finish me,” she says staring into his eyes.


    “A warrior without honor is just a mercenary, Ryukaze, dragon of the wind,” Mateo says as if quoting some new learned knowledge as he lowers his fist.


    “You have absorbed the knowledge of the dragon of wind, I look forward to fighting along side you and hope that we learn much from our challenges, be them victories, or failures,” Ryukaze says vanishing.


    Mateo’s eyes roll into the back of his head in ecstasy, and he rejoins the realm of Gottes vomiting violently on his hands and knees. The tome floats into the air evaporating as it is incinerated by a swift flame.


    “Yes, glorious combat!” Terror yells slapping Mateo on the shoulder.


    “Calm down Terror, how are you Mateo, we went through much the same with our first mortal arts tome,” Serenity says helping him to his feet.


    “Terror anxious to know of great battle!”


    Mateo takes a moment to rinse vomit out of his mouth as an anxious Terror follows his every movement.


    “The book pulled me into a kind of strange trial, some sexy dragon lady appeared before me.


    Okami pulls a small notebook from his pocket.


    “Then she beat the shit out of me,” he continues.


    Okami puts away the notebook hanging his head in disappointment.


    “Terror knows you defeated her in a soul crushing victory, her life in your hands she had no choice but to give you that which you most desired,” Terror says his eyes wide with excitement.


    “And what do you think that would be Terror,” Serenity says her eyes narrow as she crosses her arms.


    “Cookies!” He yells.


    “By the gods, anyway, what fighting style did you get,” Serenity says curiously.


    Mortal art unlocked- Ryukaze, the dragon wind fighting style is based off low impact quick strikes that overwhelm their opponent/opponents. Use quick strikes to drive down your opponent''s stamina then use powerful throws to gain distance allowing the user time to cast spells. This fighting style is favored amongst classes with the void or shadow essence. Additional sparing sessions with increasing difficulty can be unlocked by leveling this fighting style. Additional fighting tomes are not required.


    “Ryukaze,” he replies.


    Okami pulls out a different notebook moving closer to Mateo a new wonder in his eyes.


    “A dragon fighting style, tell me everything!” Okami yells.


    Two days pass and Mateo steps up to the ‘Crystal Caves of Obliteration’ drawing his dagger. His blood sizzles and the blade extends into a short sword. Terror steps up beside him.


    “Okami and Serenity watch wagon, Terror watch bloodshed, all goblins evil, don’t feel bad about killing goblins,” Terror says placing his hands on his hips stoically.


    “I think I have this Terror, just watch my back for anything you think I can’t handle,” Mateo says stepping into the caves.


    The caves themselves aren’t disappointing. Large blue crystals line the walls resonating short bursts of electricity that obliterate anything that gets too close. The crystals themselves are likely what the person who posted the bounty seeks. They seem to work as well, or better than, the batteries in Mateo’s world.


    After just a few minutes Mateo notices the warm glow of torches. Chanting and meniacle laughter begin to fill the air as Mateo readies himself for combat.


    “Terror knows goblins strong in numbers, but one by one they slaughter easily.”


    Mateo steps up to a small fire in the cave where several goblins are tearing flesh from bone with their jagged teeth. He moves forward thrusting his dagger through the back of a goblin’s neck. It reaches up slicing its finger on the protruding blade as it drowns in its own blood. The other goblins scramble to attack.


    Mateo puts them down one by one relentlessly slashing the small disturbing creatures to pieces. The horde of green skinned monsters is endless and unrelenting. Bouncing from shadow to shadow, Mateo still can’t keep their numbers down. His mana, stamina, and soul energy, a new six gauge bar that allows him to shadow jump, are near depleted.


    Mateo dispatches what he thinks is the last of the goblins as two more step forward. They are quickly dispatched by a massive club that sends them flying into a wall where they become a bloody goblin paste. A massive ten-foot hobgoblin steps forward giving out an ominous roar.


    “Terror think is time for Terror to have fun, Mateo steps back,” Terror says pulling two large metal covered gauntlets from his inventory.


    Mateo falls to one knee near collapsing from exhaustion as Natalia holds out her hand sending a glowing light down to heal him.


    The massive hobgoblin roars shaking the cave as Terror clanks his fists together.


    “Terror knows your mother makes a lot of noise too.”


    The hobgoblin slams his club down and Terror punches through it sending splinters of woods into solid stone. He spins and lets out a massive right hook. The goblin spits blood as it stumbles backward staring at its broken club confused. The goblin tosses the club aside letting out another loud roar. Its hands slam down on terror meeting his. Terror pushes forward and bones snap as he breaks the goblin’s wrists. It shrieks in pain as he forces it to the ground.


    Hideous wales of agony echo through the cave as Terror pounds the monster out of existence. Blood and tissue cover his form as he steps away from the puddle of flesh and bones that used to be a hobgoblin. Terror holds out his hand to Mateo pulling him to his feet.


    Soft terrified cries echo through the cave from a chamber at the rearmost of the cave.


    “You have got to be shitting me,” Mateo says placing his palm against his face.


    “Sounds like one left,” Terror deal with it.


    Mateo and Terror step into the chamber to find a small green skinned girl with short horns and tusks curled up in the floor terrified. Terror approaches her and Mateo puts his hand on Terror’s bloody shoulder.


    “Maybe we shouldn’t turn her into a puddle of blood and flesh,” Mateo says concerned.


    Terror steps over to the girl raising his foot ready to stomp her out of existence when her glowing red eyes stare up at him shimmering in the torchlight. He stops lowering his foot.


    “Jade thinks you don’t kjll her, Jade is a good girl, Jade likes flowers and sweets,” the girl pleads.


    Terror’s eyes grow wide, and his face turns to a look of glee. For the first time Terror seems happy about something besides bloodlust.


    “Terror likes flowers and sweets too.”


    Terror turns to Mateo his brutish eyes smiling.


    “Terror thinks child is adorable, Terror keeps child.”


    “Godsdamnit Terror,” Mateo says with an audible sigh pinching the bridge of his nose with his thumb and index finger.