Cyren the elf stared at them from across the room. His piercing gaze swept across the party as he fully shimmered into view and stowed his ornate longbow on his back. Aralynn got a clearer view of him: Cyren wore stereotypical elvish garb, with a dark green cloak and other tones that were far more well suited to a forest than the grey clouds of the city. He had chocolatey brown hair with pale skin, and moved with the characteristically arrogant and effortless grace of an elf.
"Follow me." Without another word, he pulled on one of the torches on the wall. Aralynn noticed that the building was made of stone as a secret passageway creaked open. Cyren started down the hallway without a single glance back.
"You-" Amon sputtered, racing down the tunnel after the archer. "You could've fucking killed someone!"
"If I did, then you would've failed," replied Cyren matter-of-factly.
Amon gritted his teeth and said nothing. It was at that moment when Aralynn realized that it was real, perhaps realer than her time in the imperial army. Perona seriously could've died. Aralynn didn't know how hit points worked yet, but by common sense, an arrow to the head would've killed, system or not.
She offered Perona a hand, which Perona grasped and leaned on as she stood back up. "Are you okay?"
"Yes," Perona replied. Aralynn realized that her breathing was erratic.
"Take a moment," Aralynn said. "We fought the bandits, right? This isn't the first time you were shot at."
"True, but it's also the first time I could've died." Perona held out her hand. It was shaking.
"I think… you might unfortunately get used to it soon." Not voluntarily, though. Aralynn shook her head, gauging Perona's reaction closely. It's probably only going to get harder for her from now on. I'll need to help her, somehow.
"Mmn." Perona started down the tunnel. "Let's not keep the others waiting, then." She turned and smiled at Aralynn.
As much as Perona tried to hide it, Aralynn could tell that the fragile half-elf was shaking like a leaf.
- - -
They entered into a room, or, more accurately, a dome. It was as massive as the training grounds that Aralynn had spent countless hours on in her time in the army. The ceiling curved upwards, and through some illusion casted an image of the sky, as if it were a massive skylight. There was a small viewing platform, and Cyren strutted over to it, before plopping down on what Aralynn assumed was a proctor's seat. He crossed his legs and stared down at them.
"I formally greet you all; welcome. As you know, my name is Cyren, and I will be your proctor for the Brass Hand's initialization test." He regarded them with lifeless eyes, eyes filled with centuries of experience that almost seemed alien. "If you're wondering what the test will be, it's simple," he continued. He reached behind him and rolled down five metallic balls, each around the size of a small pumpkin.
Under the skydome, the orbs glistened, appearing to be made out of brass. "Your test," stated Cyren, "will be to subdue these automatons." Almost as if on cue, the metal spheres groaned to life. Plates split open with a metallic shriek, unfolding into arms tipped with gnashing, claw-like appendages. Sturdy legs extended beneath them, raising the automatons upright. Then, from the center of each body, a single eye emerged- an unsettling amalgamation of flesh and machine, blinking awake.
Cyren snapped his fingers. "Begin."
The automatons immediately charged for the party.
"In faith's name- get behind me!" Hadarai unsheathed his longsword, its length of tempered steel gleaming in the dome's artificial sunlight. He grasped his shield tightly with his other hand and dropped into a low stance, ready to face the oncoming constructs.
Without a word, Grango and Amon readied their bows and released arrows that flew towards the incoming machines. Several arrows stuck, but aside from causing a temporary pause and some sparks, the constructs continued forwards.
Soon, Hadarai met them with a flurry of cuts and parries. He panted and grunted as he was worn down, cuts getting into his armour as three machines piled onto him.
"Hang in there!" Perona used the same skill that she used before, showering Hadarai with ephemeral pink music notes, closing cuts as his breathing steadied.
Aralynn drew her rapier as well and charged towards an automaton that had slipped past and was headed towards Perona.
[Agility Lv. 7 has been activated!]
[Your movements flow with the wind.]
She breathed out as she was enveloped in a green aura and closed the distance between her and the automaton in an instant. Faster than the blink of an eye, Aralynn thrust forwards with unparalleled speed, plunging her rapier deep into the body of the automaton. Out of the corner of her eye, Aralynn could see Hadarai still managing against the three that piled on him with the support of Perona, and Amon and Grango had been drawn into close quarters combat. She noticed that there seemed to be a few more arrows sticking out of the automatons than earlier.
"Phew…" Aralynn exhaled as the automaton sputtered for an instant, before its claws surged forwards, reaching to tear into her. Twisting her rapier deeper into the automaton, she pushed it back before lashing upwards on the way out as her rapier exited its metal body.
Aralynn leapt back to put some distance between them, her rapier vibrating wildly from the strike. If I try that again, it might snap… She looked up at the construct. It had regained its balance and was heading towards her again. Well, fuck. That's just great. I guess I didn't hit any vital parts.
"Ms. Perona!" A shout from Hadarai drew her attention. While Aralynn was so focused on herself, two automatons had broken past Hadarai and were heading straight for Perona.