Assessing the function and reading everything over was very informative. It had to be done from the dashboard for now. The developers were still working on the furthur aspects for in-game.
First, he could take one person with him the first time. The more he entered, the more people would be able to come.
So if he wanted to raise an army, it needed to be entered every day to build up the effects. The growth period of the realm was fixed. If he didnt enter it, the days for the realm still passed.
30 days till every floor increased by 1 level.
"Taking Sarapa first. I need to see what happens with natural promotion first. Hopefully it triggers that way. And there should be items at least to improve stats the first go around dropping." Making the selection was easy enough. The process was pretty quick.
Jules appeared first. Then Sarapa. She looked a little dazed at first. As if waking from a dream. "Get your mental bearing first. Get ready for combat." She nodded a little as she got situated.
Switching to a new display, everything was checked over again.
(Time outside is 1 minute. Individuals are in a soul form while traveling here in the Realm. Upon leaving, items are deposited in inventory, and stats are applied immediately. Whatever state the body was in beforehand, applies still. If health was improved in the Realm of Trials it is passed over. However, mental fatigue and emotional distress carry over as well.)
Jules explained what they were here to do. Sarapa nodded enthusiastically at the chance to become stronger. But she waited for his news to finish to tell hers. She told him about a voice that was telling her to choose something. It was a natural promotion that was available.
"Pick what feels comfortable to you. That is all I can recommend at the time." Sarapa gave Jules an enthusiastic nod. More and more she was growing fond of him. He allowed her to make choices for herself. Much different than her setup before they met. She was immediately bathed in a bright light. So bright he had to cover his eyes. "Jeez! Need shades."
*Bwoop! Bwoop! Bwoop!* Three waves of power left her. When it was over, Sarapa was about an inch taller and looked healthier. The Pitchfork had disappeared and turned into a spear. She also had two daggers in her belt loop. The clothes she wore, looked like a Soldier or Assassin. It was defintely weird.
Name: Sarapa ??? Level: 1 Health: 22
Class: Dark Spear Lady Affiliation: Pursued Noble of ???, Vassal of Jules Bern
Equipment: DarkSpear, Daggers (Vengeance & Cruelty), Soldier Attire
Inventory: Herbs 3x, Vulnerary, Antitoxin 1x
"I feel stronger now." Sarapa gripped the daggers she had tightly. She gave Jules a warm smile as she bowed. "Thank you for this. I can feel some of the curse removed."
Jules did not bother to ask about it. It was better to get focus for whatever was down here. Sarapa understood and took a position behind him. The gates opened and the two walked in slowly.
Slightly looking like ruins but defintely a tower of sorts. The far end bathe in darkness. A slight haze in the area to obscure vision. It was however retreating.
As if getting those who entered time set up their positions. Having only to people currently, made it very easy.
*Crrrrkk!* The gate closed behind them, sending a slight chill through them. The two gave a sheepish smile to each other. Jules noted that Sarapa was more open now. Whether it was from this curse or something begged the question for later.
A more pressing matter was happening.
"Grrrroooo!" A moaning howl echoed in the room. As darkness peeled away, several zombies could be seen. Jules was immediately reminded of the Tower of Valni from Sacred Stones once again. However, the clothing on them looked to be from Fire Emblem: Echoes.
"Shit, Risen." Looking back a little, Jules told Sarapa a quick gist of what to expect. "They are not human. They will groan and seem human but they already dead. Be careful of them swarming. As well as poisoned weapons." She gave a quick nod of understanding. "Alright, let's go."
*Schlick!* Jules attacks the first with a sword strike. He watched the health drop significantly. The Risen villager stab with the spear in quick retaliation. Jules blocked and push the spear towards the ground. With a quick strike back, he nipped the arm.
The creature looked more like an older corpse. Which would indicate it was dead for awhile. Not much muscle left or armor for that matter. So maybe a weak one. Then again, magic powered these things. Or resentment.
Jury out on that really.
"Grrr, hah!" Sarapa gave a small battle cry as she stepped and stabbed the Risen in the neck. Pushing on the shaft of her spear, she caused the tip to pop the head off.
*Thunk!* The head rolled away as the Risen crumbled into black light. A small sack falling in its place. The essences went to Jules but a big portion went to Sarapa.
"Good work." Jules said to her. "Pick up loot if no enemies are nearby. Especially if you do not see an archer or mage." Stepping over the pouch, Jules got ready for the next one that came. 'Let free a little more magic control to wittle them down. Flux!'
*Brrrp!* Ths black swirl caught a Risen in the chest doing small damage. The resistance was to much to make magic the primary focus. But some was better than none.
Sarapa picked up the bag and got ready behind Jules once again.
"Grrrooo!" The next Risen came in a lunge. The other moved around the side. Whether in coordination or just because the other was in the way. "Join... us.."
"Ohh." Sarapa gripped the spear tightly. The very sound of the voice giving her chills.
*Schlick!* Jules's sword cut the one that went towards the side. The blood spraying out causing Sarapa to focus on instinct. She actually stabbed the side one quickly.
Turning back to slowly came at a cost, Jules took a stab in the side by the second Risen. The spear lodged in his side glowing red. He offered a critical up to the creature from his understanding of the game mechanics a little.
"Ugh." Grunting in pain, he delivered a second strike to its head. It missed only hitting the shoulder. "I was careless." As the second Risen moved to strike again Jules had just enough time to defend himself. "Ugh!" The weight of the strike almost pushed him back. Knees slightly bent before he rebounded.
"Join.. us.." The 3rd Risen said. Sarada gave a shout shocking Jules.
"Never!" The lungs on that little one were something else. Magic left around her causing the two Risen to freeze for a moment. A slight green glow around them. "Go to rest!" Sarapa stabbed the 3rd Risen with a strong enough force it took a step back. "Ha.. ha.." She started panting heavily right after.
What ever she did, caused her to become tired. Considering the sigh differences between the two, Jules was suprised she even moved it.
*Schlick!* Jules cut the second Risen again ending its life. The magic before was just enough to take it down. Moving to the side he watched Sarapa deal with the 3rd still. Despite her looking exhausted.
Jules placed the Herb on the cut immediately feeling some relief. He was not back at full but it was a lot better. The other Risen moved closer but would take a few seconds to reach them.
'Defintely like the Tower of Valni. Only two people the first go around is pretty messed up though. The stats for Sarapa is low most likely. Then my own are so so.' Jules analyzed as best he could. Trying to take stock on what to do next time. 'So many changes in things. How exciting!'
"Grrrooo!" The 3rd Risen came down swinging like a mountain. Sarapa stepped to the inside in haste. Also giving the Risen enough time to alter his course. But she suprised Jules.
*Whack!* The butt of her spear hit the Risen in the throat. Pushing through the other side with ease. The weight of the Risen caused the spear point to get stuck in the stone floor.
"GGrrooo grrooo!" The risen swung its spear trying to hit Sarapa. But it couldnt reach with the spear limiting its movement. In fact, it caused more damage to itself.
"Need more magic!" Jules shouted angry. Mostly frustrated but also to draw the Risen towards him that started moving around. The shouting worked as they turned his way. "Screw it! Time to improvise!"
The spellbook on his waist lit up. Jules poured his concentration at each of the Risen he could see. The flickering ones arriving from the darkness were targeted as well.
Everydrop of magic was unleashed.
The spell Flux went out like machine gunfire. Arching and moving around like guided arrows around the terrain. Each shot caused Jules to slide on the tiles. Mental Fatigue catching up with him quickly.
Gritting his teeth and whipping his head around, Jules was happy that Sarapa was not screaming in pain or anything. But the little he could see currently that this place was not set up right or not meant for them to come here.
*Ding!* The spellbook chimed once. The firing was over and Jules looked a little haggard. He switched to double gripping his sword. The firing had two outcomes.
One, every visible Remnant was injured now.
Two, the map was completely revealed now.
Exactly like the Tower Valni visual wise now. Several rows of pillars with different Remnant scattered about. A light flickering magical barrier blocking them in different locations.
"Odd... set.. up." Jules mumbled out short of breath. A glance towards Sarapa and she was doing fine. But if the barriers holding the Remnant back gave way, they would defintely be overrun. 'Need to wrap this up and get out.'
The remaining Remnant nearby lunged towards Jules. Enough damage to their bodies that they slowed a little from the magic. Still formidable though.
Sword raised up to strike as defense was thrown out the door. The blade cut along the nape of one Remnant. Not enough to down it. In rage, Jules punched it. That was enough to drop it. His hand however was now cut up.
"Well... I .. am so.. done with this.." Jules made sure to hold them back as Sarapa dealt with the one still. "Tch!" A pair of claws came down in front quicker than his reaction time. A green tint flashed as well.
"Groo..ooo!" A Remnant, more healthy than the rest was on him. Freshly dead by the looks of it. "UNworthy.. to be here.."
*Splash!* Fresh blood spewed from Jules arm. Putting both hands on the sword in his hand, he struck quick and recklessly. Lashing out more to just cause interruptions in the new Risen's attack pattern.
"To be fair..." Jules caught the chest with the sword hilt on one strike. Just enough to make a little dent in the armor it wore. "..I am just not prepared. So suck.. an.. egg!"
Delivering a kick the thigh, Jules moved back. Just in time as two more Remnant attacked. Both strikes hitting the ground. A quick glance showed the barrier had moved back a little.
The understanding of this placce was completely thrown out the window. JUles spun on his heels in place. Sword cutting a few of the Risen. Maybe one or two went down, he couldn;t tell. But the essence he received alerted that at lease something died.
"Hah!" Sarapa gave a shout as she stabbed the Risen she was fighting. Covered in blood and cuts, she was completely exhausted. A small glow passed over as she leveled up at least. She grabbed a bag that dropped and moved back as quick as possible.
(Round 1 Complete. Would you like to stay?)
"Hell no!" Jules shouted. He caught the sight of two arrows flying in the sky towards him. Raising his hand up, his hand intercept both of them. He couldn't block with his sword due to the current Risen that attacked him again. "Tch!"
*Boop! Boop!* Both bathed and light as they were teleported out. Both returned to the previous place they were located. Jules in the hut and Sarapa in her own with her brother.
"That.. was not as exciting after a few moments. Went bad really quickly." Grabbing at his chest.. the residual pain was still there. "Maybe I need to reread the instructions?"
(Realm of Trials patching 23%)
"Well... I jumped the gun it seems." Jules leaned back rubbing his temples. Hopefully Serapa is ok mentally." Seeing a text window floating, he read it over. "Oh.. not bad... for getting wrecked really quickly."
The display left him alarmed. So alarmed he missed the medical notice appear. In the next few seconds he would be forcefully removed from the game.