“Yes, I would,” Cass said, holding out a hand.
His father’s snort ripped through the air, “It’s not done like that, you’ll understand. Adya, before you start, why don’t you take a seat? This will be a bit of a rush for both of you, and I don’t want anyone locking knees and passing out.”
A bit embarrassed, Cass retracted his hand and did as his father said. Sitting next to each other felt a bit odd as their thighs were touching, but he supposed things were about to be even more strange when the contract kicked in. Cass had no idea what was about to happen, but he felt ready for it.
If this was something that would help him, help Adya, and help him help Liora, then it was work worth doing. Keeping that in mind, he only blinked once when, after giving her a nod, something splashed across his screen.
[SYSTEM NOTICE]
You have received a Linking Proposal from: Adya Korring (Level 6 Scout)
This proposal brings the following changes to your Calling:
- A Shared Path will be created from both participants' current pools
- Upon acceptance, both participants will be unable to lie to one another, as enforced by the System itself
- Both participants will receive a minor form of the other’s attributed Merit
Cassio Vale’s Merit: Reputation
Adya Korring’s Merit: Observation
Additional contract information must be approved before finalization.
[SYSTEM WARNING]
Linking yourself to another is not something to be done lightly.
This contracted offering will bind you to Adya Korring for no less than ten levels of time. Should the contract expire at its natural terminus, all benefits gained will remain with no incurred penalty. If the contract is renewed, chosen benefits will gain increased standing.
–
Would you like to accept?
With a bit of sweat crawling down his back, Cass approved the linking. He didn’t know how the shared path would work, but-
His thoughts derailed as something else appeared.
[SYSTEM ERROR]
A third party has been detected…
Proposal has reached the third party…
Waiting…
Waiting…
The third party has approved the proposal with first-choice benefits.
What the hell? Who’s the third…Then he knew.
The contracted link has been modified to adjust for the third party, name: Bella the draft horse, Uncalled. Historical precedence has modified the System’s truth geas.
“Bella?” He heard Adya say beside him, but he couldn’t see her as jargon flowed and approval screens began to flash through faster than he could read. He barely caught any snippets as to what their years-long contract would include.
Guardi-
Approved
Protect-
Reputational currency-
Distanc-
Approved- Close
Read this before-
Approved
Bella was approving dozens of portions of their link before Cass could even get to the bottom of what was happening. He thought he saw a few snippets of how the link would work, but then it was gone.
“What is happening!” Adya yelled beside him, but he was just as powerless as the approve and decline screens continued to move at the speed of a horse.
Bella has approved the special designation.
Bella has approved the experience modifier.
Bella has approved the new Merit’d path, final submission dependent on Cassio Vale and Adya Korring’s choices.
– Finalized Contract Forming –
Parties:
Cassio Vale [Level 8 QuestWright- Administrative Calling]
Adya Korring [Level 6 Scout- Combative Calling]
Bella [Draft Horse- Uncalled]
Choose your path
Cass’s vision shifted of its own accord to the experience screen. Every path on his screen lit up except Survivor to the side. Instead of brightening, his only unique path darkened as if to say look somewhere else.
“What’s done is done. I’m not going to tell you which to pick,” Adya announced beside him, her voice slightly breathless. “But know that I picked the one I felt would help you most. I’ve thought about this a lot.”
“Thank you,” Cass replied, eyes still glued to the screen.”I’ll try to do the same.”
This was not only the moment he had to make a decision that would forever alter one of his paths, but also the moment he took the time to look at the paths that finally showed him their descriptions. He was sure he could find one that would work well with Adya.
QuestWright Path: Enterprise
A path designed for QuestWrights who lead enterprises and organizations through formally recognized charters. Unlocks abilities that enhance cohesion, interpersonal situations, and member productivity.
Cost to unlock: 300xp
Warning: Dissolution of the connected charter will disallow Cassio Vale from using any unlocked nodes until a new enterprise has risen.
The Path of Resolution:
A line of development focused on handling failed, stalled, or disputed quests.
Unlocks abilities that aid in conflict mediation, quest salvage, and reputation retention.
Cost to unlock: 700xp
This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.
The Path of Expansion:
A line of development focused on extending operational reach and influence.
Unlocks options for quest chains, quest webs, and scalable assignments.
Cost to unlock: 1000xp
As much as Bella approving everything in the contract shocked him, he still looked at expansion with an internal grin. Hollis had said that they could be forced, and here was the proof. But a thousand experience was a long way to go, and there was one that was longer still.
QuestWright Path: Tactician
Unlock three paths to view…
Cost to unlock: 2000xp
Level to unlock: 10
Mentally shaking his head, Cass knew he wouldn’t have it by Level ten. It was simply too far away right now. But even as he realized the path wasn’t lit up, he noticed something else.
Both Logistics and Inspection were glowing, even though he’d already unlocked them. Logistics was a no-go. With how many compliments he’d received from his Questors, he couldn’t risk the path being damaged by whatever the linking would eventually do to it. Waypoint was too important to him.
But Inspection? Though he’d already spent the experience unlocking the path and a few minor nodes within, there was an expected synergy between the central node and what he could guess about Adya’s Observation. Enough so that he was struck by a glimmer of an idea.
Inspection’s former description had spoken of refining how candidates were evaluated. Would the new Path and Adya’s merge into something special? Something that helped both of them now.
There was only one way to find out, and no amount of guessing and theorycrafting would give him an answer otherwise. He could feel Adya’s leg vibrating against his own as she tapped her foot. He could hear her breathing in short, gasping breaths as she waited for him to make his choice. Holding off wouldn’t do him any favors, and this seemed like the best option available.
Cass selected Inspection.
As the Path lit up with a flash, the experience screen zoomed out until he found two other areas beside it. Just below his own was a hazy blank line holding a single small square at the bottom. It was a partly filled that changed as he looked at it. It shifted from a recognizable geometric shape into something resembling a horse. Suddenly, the hazy line looked sturdier. Like it had a foundation that hadn’t been there before.
To the left of his own populated something he never could’ve expected.
Cass’s paths were a series of independent nodes that formed into specialized formations. Logistics, for example, was a bevy of lines crossing each other in a panoply of nodes, while Inspection was shaped into an eye. But Adya’s, and what he assumed was Bella's, were starkly different.
There were no symbols or nodes, just a row of stylized marks that looked like they were filling out. Some were brighter, others darker, as if choices were made for each. It was a grid of options laid out from start to end.
For each mark that was filled entirely, several more extended from it, with only two having been touched. As he watched, both his Inspection path and one of Adya’s partly filled marks faded away. A moment passed, then the invisible dividing line that separated their two Callings had something form between them.
Stretching out from one side to another, nodes appeared on her side, while marks appeared on his own, with a single line running up the center. At the top, his own Path of Inspection appeared.
Cassio Vale’s sacrifice: The Path of Inspection
As soon as it faded, another took its place.
Adya Korring’s sacrifice: The Path of Tags
He didn’t have time to consider what the Path involved, as, while it slowly faded, something else appeared in its place. Writing appeared that brought him back to when he’d defeated the Skreels.
[QUESTWRIGHT CALLING UPGRADE UNLOCKED]
QuestWright Cassio Vale of Liora.
You have created a System-enforced link with Scout Adya Korring and your bonded, Bella the draft horse.
In your choice to sacrifice the Path of Inspection, it has been merged with the path of your linked partner to create something wholly new in the world.
Every step you take, every choice you make, will be something that has not been done before.
Care for one another as you would your own life.
When others would stumble, you have partners to lift you up. The System watches…and rewards.
The text faded, and in its place a bold series of red writing appeared. Like watching calligraphy form with no hand, it spelled itself out as a golden outline began to cover the words.
Path of the Index
There are 3 major nodes on this path.
There are 9 minor nodes on this path.
There are 6 marks on this path.
Automatically gain the Unique Profile ability.
Profile: For every person you meet, a live profile will be created that is shared between both linked partners.
Cass wanted to review the marks on his side, but he didn’t have time, as the experience screen faded into darkness filled with writing.
Summarizing…
Three Entity Contract finalized:
Designated members:
(Modified by choice)
Protectee:
Cassio Vale, QuestWright
Guardians:
Primary: Adya Korring, Scout
Secondary: Bella the draft horse
Merged path of combined Merit unlocked: Path of the Index (Contract Unique)
Contracted Path’s gain experience in a different manner than standard, obtaining the Unique label. All credits obtained for the path will be shared between Adya Korring and Cassio Vale.
Truth System Geas: Modified by request
Due to a partner’s inability to speak, the System geas has altered the conditions of the Contract using historical precedent. Results may vary.
Experience gate: Modified
Cassio Vale (Level 8) and Adya Korring (Level 6) must have an even level. All experience Cassio Vale earns will be redirected to Adya Korring until a balance has been met.
Warning: Due to Bella the draft horse being an Uncalled, they are excluded from the experience modifier until such time as they gain a Calling.
Contract stability: Modified
All partners must meet every third day at the request of approving partner Bella the draft horse.
Contract Timing:
This contract will end when Adya Korring and Cassio Vale reach level 18 in their respective Callings. Should Bella the draft horse unlock a Calling, their level will also be factored in.
[Shared Title Unlocked: Linked]
You are more powerful together than you ever would be apart.
All Quests completed by Adya Korring and Bella the draft horse have a permanent +50% modifiers
Cassio Vale’s natural senses will receive a small but definitive increase
–End Summary–
Finally released from the screen’s hold, Cass blinked weary eyes. It had undoubtedly been the longest day of his life. He’d been electrocuted twice, once by choice. He’d learned that he could locate Bella on a map at any time he wanted. He’d learned about Dark Guilds, Cloners, Contracts, and come under the watchful eye of the most powerful commander in Liora. He’d even learned it was possible to steal paths from others, though his knowledge of that was intentionally murky at best.
But nothing hit him as hard on that day as what he felt coming from Adya in that moment.
Because, as far as he could tell, he could feel her emotions as clear as day. And they were strong.
“So that’s what it meant,” Cass said with a flush.
Adya…
For all of Adya’s life, she’d never had a nightmare. She’d had strange dreams, wherein she woke up in the thrall of something that had occurred, but she never remembered a thing. Just a quick, sweaty awakening, then she was on her way with the sun.
Looking at him, looking at the curve of his face, the splayed out hair, the way he held himself in wonder for what had surely been a pivotal moment in both their lives, she got that same feeling she always did when ruminating on Cassio Vale for too long. Then, she felt alarm, not from herself, but from him, and she understood.
This was a living nightmare.
“So that’s what it meant,” She heard her protectee say only a few feet away.
“No,” She whispered, but it was true. Somehow, the System had altered the truth geas that came with every contract. Since Bella was a horse and couldn’t speak, it went with the next best thing. Emotional feedback. What she felt, he felt, and vice versa.
Which means…
He looked over at her with red cheeks.
Oh no.
Without explaining herself, Adya leaped off the couch, dodged around a confused Dallan Vale, fumbled at the doorknob, and then she was out and in the city.
No no no no no.
Cassio…
Cass’s dad looked back at him as he tried to breathe through the sheer panic he felt from Adya.
“What the hell is her problem? Was the path that bad?”
Cass ran his hands through his hair, the touch of his fingers slightly electric as his body moved through another change.
“It’s just another Day, Dad. Just another day.”
Profile established:
Dallan Vale: Father of Register Administrator Cassio Vale.
Continue to speak to the subject to add additional information…
[Tier 1 Training Quest]
Assignment: Do Not Interrupt
Most people interrupt or respond before others are finished speaking. This quest is designed to correct that impulse, with clear effort, not guilt.
Your Task:
In your next three conversations, practice full restraint. Do not interrupt. Do not half-speak, nod-talk, or finish someone’s sentence for them. Let silence stretch if needed.
If someone pauses, wait. If you think you know what they’ll say — wait anyway.
Completion Condition:
Three full conversations completed with no interruptions, interjections, or premature answers.
Timeframe: One Week
Reward: 6 XP
Restraint is a skill. One worth leveling.
—
J.D. Mullenary Sr.
The Original QuestWright