Roverpowered, p.1
Roverpowered, page 1
ROVERPOWERED
©2024 DREW HAYES
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ALSO IN SERIES
Roverpowered
Roverpowered 2
Check out the entire series here! (Tap or scan)
CONTENTS
Prologue
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Epilogue
Thank you for reading Roverpowered
About the Author
Groups
LitRPG
For Winston, my goodest of boys.
PROLOGUE
The softly glowing orb possessing world-shattering power tumbled through a crack in the ancient chamber, avoiding a cluster of hands, claws, elemental manifestations, psionic grips, tentacles, and a myriad of other limbs all reaching for it.
Whatever wars were being fought over its existence were of no concern to the item itself. While not quite sentient, an existence of its magnitude had some inherent awareness of its purpose, and a small touch of agency to see it done.
Twisting probability and fate together, the orb wove a path to its true owner. The first requirement was the stiffest: a pure soul, sincere and unclouded. What came next eliminated nearly as many as the first: a capacity to see the orb for more than merely the personal power it represented. Lastly, the orb demanded need. This was not a force meant to be consumed and stowed away, it was a match in search of kindling.
It bobbed along the invisible currents of the chasms, winding past untold civilizations as each was briefly considered. It searched not only the places in proximity but spread to the greater world at large. Hundreds of destinations were scanned and discarded in rapid measure. Caverns of endless fire, expansive cities resting atop clouds, caves of twisting horrors that existed only to consume, harmonious nations united under a single great canopy of trees, cities alight with magic so powerful it colored the air.
Yet none resonated with the orb’s search. Not until it felt a stirring as a field of flowers came into view. No grand magics were at work, nor towering figures of immense power. Only one soul was present, the physical form momentarily obscured, but that mattered not.
The orb had found its owner.
Like a golden mote amongst a sea of swirling silver stars it soared along the currents of the chasms, little more than a flick of light in even the most perceptive of eyes. Scholars from the world over would have wept at the sight. To see proof that something could endure within the chasms validated what so many had theorized yet failed to prove. All navigation of the chasms had to be accomplished by navigating down through adjacent tunnels or passing over directly, no known being had plunged into their open depths and survived.
Yet the orb was unbothered as it rose. Dancing along the natural current, the orb trusted it’s parameters to guide the final moments of its journey. A final burst of motion shot into the air out of a small chasm vent amidst a small mountain at the foot of a much larger range. The orb flashed through the air, moving so far that the mountains were no longer visible on the horizon when it finally began to drift downward.
As it landed in a bed of flowers along a sloped green meadow, the orb still let off a slight shine, though it was much diminished with a sun’s light burning overhead. Nearby, someone perked up, having caught sight of the strange new arrival. They approached, tentative but curious.
Nothing felt amiss to the orb, as the being who approached it was indeed quite pure of heart. Their interest in the orb had nothing to do with the tangible sense of power radiating from it, either. As for need, this being was a weak spark of existence on a plane where dark infernos dwelled; the creature required all the aid it could receive.
Had the orb been truly sentient, it might have questioned the unique biology of this particular party, at least when compared to the dominant species of the plane. However, it was merely fulfilling the purpose with which it had been formed. As the being’s jaws closed around it, the orb was suffused with a deep sense of accomplishment and serenity. Its task was accomplished, its goal seen through. What came next would be up to the one chosen to bear the weight of such incomprehensible power.
In a flash, the orb shattered, its power entering the being who so freely chomped on the golden surface. The orange-brown fur on top suddenly burned a molten gold, while the white of its underbelly shone with an unnatural silver light. All four of its paws crackled with energy, coursing into its small claws. The same energy surged through its sharp teeth, whereas a different kind of current was pulsing through its internal organs. The sole eye it still possessed lit up like a beacon, blazing with a glow that seemed to pierce all it surveyed.
Where once had stood a mere creature now rested a force beyond most mortal’s comprehension. A power that could one day reshape an entire cosmos with a thought, perhaps even reach beyond the limits of the known planes, spreading it’s will and might throughout—
“Wumble! Where did you get to?”
With a loud sneeze, Wumble came back to himself, the headrush from biting what he’d thought was a fun ball fading fast. His mind was now both strangely clear and oddly muddled, a concern which he ignored in favor of the task at hand. Wanda had thrown the ball somewhere around here, and since it wasn’t that strange gold one, it had to still be around.
Lifting his nose, Wumble gave a sniff and caught nothing. He sensed he could do better though, even if it was hard to say how, or where such notions were even coming from. Had he always contemplated his actions like this?
No time for distractions!
There was a ball to find, and the owners of the train on which they traveled wouldn’t linger if Wumble wasn’t ready. They wouldn’t wait for Wanda either, or anyone besides the spoiled owner. So Wumble needed to hurry.
Focusing his desire to find the ball into that strange new energy running through him, Wumble concentrated hard and really sniffed. This time, the whole world came alive, smells of the meadow happily telling Wumble anything he wanted to know. The ball was simple to locate in its hiding spot amidst a patch of clovers, Wanda’s scent was all over it.
With a cheerful bark, Wumble took the ball in his mouth and bounded back to Wanda, the strange orb already long forgotten.
ONE
Wanda stepped off the train in Kalamaz with Wumble tucked carefully under her arm. The air was thick with barks, screeches, yelps, and caws. Out of the dozen-plus cars came people carrying creatures bearing feathers, fur, even a few with scales. Like the beasts they carried, the people were varied, their differences showing in manners and dress rather than fangs and claws.
What many called The Great Steel Beast ran its way along the eastern edge of Sletun Chasm, stopping at as many cities as possible before arriving home. It was an affordable mass-transportation option for those unable to afford the bearport, and the denizens made ample use of the service. Within each of those cities, hundreds would undertake the pilgrimage to arrive, just for a chance to ride on the train and reach Kalamaz. The result of which was a sampling from the countless small communities that littered the eastern terrain.
A melting pot of people dumped out on the steps of Kalamaz’s arrival station, a huge building with gorgeous glass windows spaced regularly. Stained into each was a different type of beast, from the humble hound to a golden eagle bursting with light.
It was a fitting welcome, given the city’s reputation. Standing at the exit of the terminal, Wanda spotted a handful of people wearing what appeared to be leather armor, their familiars close by. One had a violet-furred wolf that stood as tall as their hip, another was paired with a colorful bird seated on their shoulder, and the third was bonded to a horse as white as fallen snow, ice forming near its hooves.
Wanda gulped involuntarily. For a beast-familiar to have an element, it would have to either reach the attunement-phase of development or be bred from a powerful lineage. Either way, whoever was bonded to such a creature would be strong enough to be considered dangerous in the outside world.
Yet here, the talent evidently warranted a position as a greeter, the ice-horse’s partner sat upon it, pointing and calling out directions for those exiting the train.
“Welcome to Kalamaz! Those of you who have come for bonding, please exit through the doors to the left. For any who still need to acquire a beast, we ask that you exit to the right. Hunting and taming services, along with outright sales, are available.”
Wumble licked at Wanda’s hand, a warm comfort and gentle reminder that rough as things had been, at least she wasn’t alone. Wanda couldn’t help glancing at the lonely line of people exiting to the right. To have come on this journey without even a beast prepared, they must have faced hardship indeed.
Due to her distraction, Wanda wasn’t moving fast enough for the person behind her, who shoved past with the help of a hefty wooden carrier clutched in his arms. Wumble barked, which earned a brief look of contempt from the pale-haired man who’d done the shoving. Even lingering long enough to glare was apparently too taxing, as he soon hurried onward.
She followed the same flow of traffic, emerging from the arrival terminal into downtown Kalamaz proper. Shining buildings stood between huge sections of greenery. Large lakes had been built at regular intervals, with winding trails leading over and around. And above all, everywhere Wanda looked, there were a bevy of creatures.
The Eastern City of Beasts certainly lived up to its title. The sky was thick with flapping wings, from humble pidges to the wide-twisting shadows of an umbral-condor. Along the paths ran numerous feet, hooves, and paws. A tiger dashed past three panthers in a flash of brightly glowing-green fur, eliciting sharp yowls from the pack. In the waters, seals bounced and played, one large enough to host four full grown people on its stomach.
The people were nearly as eclectic. Some wore armor, while others preferred simple pants and shirts, and several had embraced robes as their fashion of choice. Many stylized themselves to match their familiars, leading to a brilliant array of colors and textures, even amongst similar fashions. Catching a flash of what appeared to be a person covered in foliage, Wanda’s eyes widened as she wondered if that had been an actual alvarian. They were as rare as dirvken in these regions, the effort to cross one of the great chasms restricted travel to those with substantial means or incredible talents. Even a short trip was said to cost tens of thousands of gellens.
Sadly, she was unable to manage a second look before the flow of movement pushed her on. Wanda’s crowd was kept to a closed-off path, one they would all be capable of navigating. Kalamaz was a city for wizards, those who could wield magic. Trying to traverse it without such power would range from difficult to dangerous, depending on where one trod. That was why the closed road from the train’s terminal led directly to one location, a place where they would be forever changed.
As the new arrivals walked along their set path, some of the residents took the time to wave, while most ignored them. For Kalamaz, this would be a daily occurrence, the train dumping a fresh batch of hopeful souls chasing power, freedom, or fortune; and those were the respectable motivations. This was a place that offered power, and as such, there would always be a draw. In just the few days Wanda was crammed onto the train, she heard tale that there were discussions in the city of adding even more cars to The Great Steel Beast.
The only sight which could tear her away from Kalamaz and its citizens was the destination she was being herded toward. A massive complex shone in the warm sunlight, its silver and jade exterior catching every shining ray and gleaming as a result. Enormous stone beasts lined the roof, peering down in judgement on those who would ask to borrow their power. Ten stories tall, the building loomed like a giant, one that could crush Wanda and the others with a single step.
Set above the entrance was a massive clock, the hands indicating they’d just passed the midday point. Below that was a metal etching of the date, one that must be updated daily, resting just above a small epithet. Taken as a whole, it read “Today is Carthsday the 13th in the year 888 – The first day of your journey together.”
A sweet sentiment, if an overly optimistic one. Even keeping to herself on the trip, Wanda had overheard no shortage of people talking about their plans for the future, namely the familiar they’d move onto once they had built up enough coin. Bonding with beasts was free, other familiars were another matter. Wanda’s parents had told her a story of the day a woman with an elemental-bond passed through town, they’d described her as positively dripping in enchanted finery.
Giving Wumble a scratch behind the ears, Wanda hugged her friend close. To many, their beast-familiar was a stepping-stone, but Wanda couldn’t imagine parting with her dear hound, small though he might be. Perhaps one day, if she was strong enough, another familiar could be added to the family, but the idea of casting her partner aside… there was a reason Wanda hadn’t made much conversation with others during her ride.
Passing beneath the clock and date, under the gleaming silver arches of the entrance, Wanda and Wumble joined the throngs of people passing into the Riocan Hall of the Beast Bonders. Both knew that on the other side of that door waited the next step in their lives together, though neither could fathom just how large a leap it would truly be.
TWO
Despite the menagerie of beasts contained within the hall, there was no ruckus of howls and screeches, their noises likely suppressed by glowing runes Wanda spotted running along the walls. With no connection to magic, she was unable to parse their exact purpose, however the silencing effect was easy to deduce.
It especially helped that one voice rang out over the entire crowd as they pushed forward, jamming into a single massive line. Wanda arrived during what she would soon realize was the halfway point of a speech he was giving over and over, ensuring every person who waited their turn heard its entirety.
The man himself was on a platform floating in the air, a falcon perched on his shoulder. The bird had visibly reached at least the attunement-phase, triple the size of its peers, with crackles of lightning sparking in its eyes. As he floated past the walls, Wanda noted more runes winding their way along the silver surface. Between these were further etchings of beasts, though these had humans worked in as well.
Famous wizards and their beast familiars, though she knew none on sight.
Wanda had received little education on the history of magic and familiars growing up, her life one of apparent simplicity. A thought of the past sent a shudder down her spine, earning a lick on her hand from Wumble, and she purposefully turned her attention to the man speaking.
By the time he started to repeat himself for the sixth time, Wanda had nearly memorized the entire spiel.
“Welcome, prospective new wizards, to the Riocan Hall of Bonding. Named for one of the greatest beast-bonded wizards to have ever lived, it is here we begin your journey together. For those who have come without prior research, take heed. While power is indeed offered here, it does not come without risk.”
That was the point where the new people filtering in would look up, suddenly very concerned. After all, wasn’t becoming a wizard supposed to be a free ticket to power and riches? Assuming one survived the work they did, of course.
“The bonding itself is largely safe, though remember that is only thanks to the mountains of effort and research done by our forefathers in the aftermath of The Third Cleaving. Yet even now, some risk remains. The twinning of two souls through magic will forever contain a touch of the unexpected. If that risk is more than you can bear, then know the path of magic is not one you were meant to trod.”
