Mantle of the Gods

“Where were we?”

“Edward.” Ether cut off Aelin.

“Right." Trent moved his finger like he was thinking. "After the four of you tried the floor boss...” He paused and shook his head, then looked at the four of us. "The way you started the fight works, but you will almost always end up with the tank getting attacked immediately. If you’re not prepared, then…” He motioned at Ether. "That happens.” He turned to Aelin and Justia. "Good work keeping her from getting crushed while she got out of the hood trap.”

“Wait.” I waved my right hand. "How do you know all this?”

Trent snapped his fingers and a floating eyeball appeared in between us. He waved his hand and it disappeared. “I can have up to seven of these things on any floor of the dungeon that I’ve been to.”

“That’s…”

“Awesome!” Aelin finished for me.

“Not what I was going to say.” I scowled at the grinning blonde before turning to Trent. "So you were watching everything?”

Trent nodded.

“And you let it happen?”

“You need to learn fast that the dungeon is not as easy and simple as the first floor. There are surprises, like the dust breath from the boss you weren’t expecting. There are also other Adventurers, who may decide that they want your loot or your equipment. You need to be on your guard and be able to adapt.” He looked at each of us. "You have to be able to have most of your equipment broken and your food gone and still find a way to beat the boss and get home.”

“Aren’t there rescue teams?” Ether squeezed my arm.

“There are, but what happens if you fall to a floor that’s never been explored? How long could you survive if you’re waiting for a rescue?” He sat back in his chair. "And how long would it take you to save yourself?”

He let the questions hang in the air for a few minutes.

“What was the thing at the gate about?” I wondered. "Why give us that choice?”

“I wanted to see if you’d get mad and charge recklessly into danger.”

“What about the interrogation?” Ether pulled me back. "Why do that to us?”

Trent looked at each of us for a little bit. “It’s going to be difficult to hide what Atlas is.” He zeroed in on Rix. "I believe you’ve figured it out?”

“He’s an Abnormal.” Rix shrugged.

“He’s more than a regular Abnormal like you.” Trent looked from her to me. "He has at least tens in all of his base stats and when he levels he’s going to get three stat points instead of two like the rest of you.”

“He’s like a Hero Class?” Rix crossed her arms.

“He’s a Hero?!” Aelin almost jumped out of her seat.

“Basically.” Trent looked at me. "But that’s where we have a problem, because why are there heroes?”

“To fight the bad guys?” Aelin mocked punching the air in front of her.

“Not just bad guys.” Ether leaned forward. "The big bad guys.”

“What big bad guys?” Aelin looked confused. "Floor bosses?”

“Gods.” Ether looked at Trent who nodded.

“By the time Atlas reaches my level he’ll be able to challenge the Gods themselves.” He looked at each of us. "Which is why I needed to know how you would react under interrogation. We can’t let word of his Hero status get out. If it does, then the Gods will stop at nothing to prevent him from becoming strong enough to challenge them.” He let that hang in the air for a bit. "I’m glad to say that you all passed, and some of you improvised quite well, but you need to be able to get your stories straight.”

I realized everyone was looking at me. “Thanks.” It was all I could think to say.

“I think the story I liked the best was the one where Rix brought the illegal drugs with her and Atlas used them, which altered his stats.” He nodded at Rix. "I'm particularly pleased that you were willing to cover for him after we brought you in.”

“You did that?” I hadn’t thought she would cover for someone like that.

The redhead shrugged like it was nothing.

“That’s what we're going to go with if this gets out?” I looked at everyone, then turned to Trent.

The old man pulled a vial out of his crystal band. “This can simulate the effects of the drug that can modify someone’s stats. So it’ll at least be believable for a while.”

“Does it work?” Aelin’s eyes got big.

“It works, but most people never get the stat double at the next Tier.” He put the vial back into his crystal band. "Don’t take it unless you’re willing to stop going into the dungeon.”

We sat in silence for a moment.

“What do we do now?” Aelin broke the silence.