Standing in his camp, a tall green skinned humanoid stood, a metal hammer in hand and the crushed form of Twig lying smashed on the ground. The large humanoid standing panting, its eyes meeting Sage’s, the spark clear, recognition, one of his brothers. The fear and indignation in his brother's eyes clearly showed as he approached, he didn’t recognize Sage, it was understandable.
His skin now a dusky gray, and scaled with thick high. Pieces of shell covering his neck, chest, and ribs, his fingers long and flexible, two on his right hand long sharp and calcified. His head with a thickened skull, a crown of sharp horns, his eyes amber, slitted, and sharp. His maw, beaked and filled with sharp long teeth, his jaw able to unhinge and snap with an immense force. His frame stood nearly a head taller than his brothers and as wide as he was tall, his legs strong, clawed and taloned feet, wide and opposable.
Rage filled Sage, his magic calming his mind forgotten as the Apex took a step, bone fingers extended, the gap between them rapidly being closed. He would kill, he would consume, he would avenge his friend, his brother was prey, his anger self perpetuated into pure wrath. Closing the gap he could tell he was physically superior, his strength was superior, the large gap between the two Planetborns closing rapidly, his bone finger weapon aimed for the head of his brother.
His brother looked at him like a monster, his face twisted in distaste, and his hammer lifted over his head, his eyes filled with malicious intent to kill, the tone of his voice deep. “Wicked creatures, shall fall before the hammer of JUSTICE!” his loud voice echoing as his hammer lit golden, and enlarging its speed suddenly increasing. His fast twitch muscle the only thing allowing Sage to dodge, the etheric Golden energy of the hammer hitting his shoulder, but the primary force cratering the earth, feeling his left shoulder shatter at the hit, he continued his approach.
His speed and strength was too much for the green skinned man to react too, his large attack committing him forward, though the blow staggered Sage, his taloned feet dug into the loamy soil and kept him on his feet. His body twisting unnaturally but his right hand still extended launched forward, his bone fingers digging through the green skinned man's eye and out of the back of his skull. Killing him instantly, retracting his calcified fingers, the Apex licked the viscera off of his weapon, the knowledge of his brother coming to his mind, Gortann was a kind soul, he was good, and he would defend.
Gortann struggled through his own forest, spending his augment points on physical enhancements, and the hammer in his hands. He took the optional trial of Aanvang to grow and defend a young sapling of a special tree. For four days and nights he defended the tree from Beavers, a large branch in his hand, his strength holding fast, but still he fought, he defended.
With his reward he asked for a magical weapon, one that would suit him, and he received Ustia, a hammer that could only be wielded by the pure of heart, with intentions of justice. When he got the notification of his zone connecting another, he explored, finding the three portcullis’ from that strange brick room, entering the red colored portcullis he received another notification:
The Fifth Trial: From Aavang
Make contact with the Planetborn in the other forest, convince them to assist you in defending the last sapling of the Justicar, train and battle for your goals are legion, the Apex, and the Abyss stir, the last sapling will fall.
Exploring the other forest, he admired the subtle changes, until he found an obvious camp down the river that kept him alive, and in that empty camp he found bloody rags, and one of the wicked creatures that harassed him in his own zone. His mind thought the worst, his sibling in his neighboring forest failed the same trial he received, and Gortann would bring justice for his fallen comrade.
He dropped to his knees, the flash of memories overwhelming Sage, his hands shaking and his stomach retching, his will triggering [Centered Mind] looking down at his bloody hand, Sage began to weep, cursing the Apex, cursing the trials, and mourning his brother. Looking at the hammer beside the fallen form, he knew he wouldn't be able to lift it, he was tainted, this insatiable hunger tainted his very person. His rage for his attack of Twig warring with his mourning over his decisive action attacking, and not speaking before. Standing in the midst of his camp, what he considered his home, Sage truly felt alone, wearing hollow aloneness.
Closing his mind, his erratic emotions slowly began to calm, his magic overcoming him and keeping him centered. Both Gortann, and Twig lying dead in his camp, a place he could no longer stay, standing he approached the now shared zone, the zone Gortann underwent his own trial. Crossing the boundary, a notification appeared:
The Fifth Trial: From Aavang
Make contact with the Planetborn in the other forest, convince them to assist you in defending the last sapling of the Justicar, train and battle for your goals are legion, the Apex, and the Abyss stir, the last sapling will fall.
The Fifth Trial: From Finral
You have killed your fellow Planetborn, his burdens are now yours, his expectations added to your own, destroy or protect the last sapling of the Justicar, consume the Abyss, and gain power.
Using the shared memories, he arrived at the location of the last sapling of the Justicar, shimmering golden leaves, adorning a pearlescent trunk. The light hitting the leaves made Sage feel a certain reverence, his guilt heavy on his conscience, Sage knew he needed to defend this plant. The last vestige of his brother, sitting by the sapling Sage, looked at the sky, releasing his [Centered Mind] spell, the constant hunger returning and desire to hunt.
Breathing deeply, Sage shook, he couldn’t maintain the spell constantly, whatever fuel or muscle it used from his body was limited, he felt the empty ache in his chest still. Reaching his hand out to brush the golden leaves of the sapling, he felt a pull to taste it, to consume it, to learn its secrets, Sage prayed to Aavang his will truly wasn’t so weak.
When his twisted claws touched the leaf, it felt near electric, the leaves seemed to shimmer with reflected sunlight matching the tingle in his claws. He understood the reverence Gortann felt, the sense of responsibility, the young tree had an aura of purity. His brief meditation broken by the sunlight fading abruptly, shadows seemingly wrapping around him and the sapling, a soft light voice tinkling in his ears, “Holder of the Apex, allow us to consume this pathetic existence and proceed from this false land.”
His eyes narrowing, he breathed in deeply, the scents of the surrounding forest coming to him, a damp, and sulfurous rot also meeting his nose. His gaze locked on a small dark spot hanging from a tree, his leathery wing wrapping around its bodies, his dark gray fur standing in contrast to the greenery of the forest. Its mouth open, but no noise appeared, it looked like a cross between an avian and a reptile, its size comparable to Twig. Standing to his full height Sage spoke tentatively, realizing this was his first real words to a sentient creature, “I will not consume the sapling, leave, give up or you will be the one consumed.” Waving his hand in dismissal, attempting to mimic the arrogance and nonchalance of the original Apex.
Unbidden to Sage, he activated his [Centered Mind] spell, the dancing shadows losing much of their effect on his psyche, studying this creature, Sage felt a palpable strength, as well as a strange comradery. He now knew if he and Twig didn’t defeat the Apex the moment they discovered it, it would have had time to consume, to grow in power as he did, and the battle would have gone much much differently in that circumstance. Idly he wondered what power this Abyss carried, the hunger coming once more, what power it could offer him.
The Grey creature ceased its open mouth croon and the shadows around Sage seem to settle, its sharp red eyes studying his still form, his body naturally interposing himself between it and the sapling. As it unfurled itself from the branch, its wing span seemed to extend more and more, nearly the full breadth of the canopy of the tree it swung upon. Opening its mouth once more, its strange bell-like voice spoke, “we shall battle then, perhaps I will die, perhaps you will, best of luck to you Brother.” The Abyss’ voice carrying a succinct finality as it prepared to make its move, its body swinging on the branch with its wings fully unfurled.
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Launching itself from the branch, Sage prepared himself for an attack; his predatory eyes sharpening and muscles bunching, he would aim for the collarbone, if the creature was truly avian, he should be able to shatter the bone and prevent its flight. As he analyzed and prepped the Abyss launched into the air, flying South into the distance not sparing Sage a glance. His brows pinching, Sage breathed out releasing his tension, his muscles relaxing perhaps it wishes to gather more strength first? He couldn’t help but wonder, the small hunting he performed near the sapling didn’t add much to his form, a few interesting insects increased his strength, and biting power.
What truly intrigued Sage was the plant life, imitating what he saw Twig do previously he ate branches of various trees learning of the complex root system, the power abundant in the sky from the sun, and how to breathe in the gasses expelled by animals. From mushrooms, he learned of poisons and strange effects liquid can have on predators, and how to grow in the damp and dark.
From all the plant life he consumed he learned of constant growth, of resilience, and adaptation, the feeling resonated with Sage, even changing his body to take advantage of the free energy, his feathered mane growing green and roots sprouting from his feet as he stood still. There was pain when the roots broke, but it was minor compared to the gain of nutrients he could gain from the fertile soil. As night fell, Sage began experimenting with mycelium, a different form of consumption and seemingly much more complete than eating, he still gathered information though this from decayed material, he learned of the end of life cycles, of how the same energy that feeds plants also breaks them down after they die.
His introspection was quickly broken by a distant rustle in the forest, turning his eyes towards the noise, his eyes focusing on large shaded shapes loping toward him. The soft familiar croon of the Abyss following these predators, their own eyes nearly matches Sages own amber. Withdrawing his hand, he stood to his full height, his enhanced senses tracking the pack of monsters surrounding him and the sapling. His own snarl releasing in challenge quickly met by a thunderous roar as a white furred creature nearly the size of the rhino burst through the underbrush, its large clawed paw rushing toward Sage, its jaws open wide revealing large teeth.
The shadowed shapes taking this opportunity to also move to strike, there gray forms blurred, their striking golden eyes reflecting the moon light as they attacked in coordination, fast but not as fast as the stag, sliding around the large white creature, Sage stabbed with all his strength, attempting to puncture its neck with his bone claw and inject some of the psychedelic effects of the mushroom but its form was strong. His stab morphing to more of a punch as he felt the bones of forearm nearly buckle from his own strength and the creature's momentum.
His powerful attack still jarring the white furred creature, Sage was unable to take advantage as the shadowed creature struck, three attacking him at once and two more launching for the sapling. Allow there claws to rake and powerful jaws to latch onto his legs, Sage charged the two going after the sapling, his claw taking one through the eye, his other hand stabbing into its mouth and injecting every venom and poison he’d consumed in the last days.
Being ripped back by the shadowed creatures Sage lashed out with his clawed feet and powerful legs, kicking and clawing the gray furred hunters off of himself. His hands blurring as he took care of the third ripping and lashing his chest and back as he turned, still more approached and circled, the large white creature standing unsteadily as Sage did the same, all while the Abyss sang its song, the shadows covering the plethora of predators all around him. Idly Sage wanted to laugh, Gortann had faced a very similar trial with much less fierce foes, he would have been useful to have at his side now. Roaring his challenge, Sage rushed the large white creature, his speed far superior to its own, as he ducked under its slow powerful swipe, and chomped onto its neck. Snapping his legs up and away tore a large chunk out. The sweet powerful blood filled his mouth, as the knowledge of a Polar bear filled his mind, his body changing his musculature and bones, his jaws increasing in strength.
As he landed hard on his back Sage felt more than saw the gray creatures charge him, four jumping and mauling his prone form, more he imagined charging the sapling. Snarling, a pure rage overtaking him, his [Centered Mind] breaking and his eyes sharpening as he lashes out, his powerful claws lashing out and taking large chunks out of the animals, their hot blood splashing his face, his tongue snaking out and tasting… wolves.
Kicking his legs and lashing his claws blindly but forcefully Sage stood, covered in wounds and bodies of the wolves around him. Hearing their snarling, he turned back to see the sapling, a small glimmering golden shield being mauled by three gray wolves and one large black wolf. A soft tinkling meeting his ears made his head pound, and the shadows seemed to wrap around the wolves blurring his vision, what was he supposed to do? The blackness filling his vision, and the soft tinkling croon tickling his ears as his eyes glazed.
A leathery form descending from a nearby tree dropped to stand before Sage, “you are powerful, bond with me brother, you will protect me.” Approaching and extending its leathery wing, its hand reaching for his chest, Sage felt something was wrong, the Apex thought something was wrong, his instincts screamed at the approaching hand, but his body was frozen. The croon enraptured his body, eyes wide and running through his options, he flexes that strange cold power in his stomach, triggering [Centered Mind] once more, the shadowed illusion shattering around him, and the Abyss quickly retracting his hand.
Not fast enough, Sage reaching out, grabbed the Abyss’ wrist, flinging the large avian toward the wolves attacking the tree, interrupting their attack. His form follows behind, as he jumps with his powerful legs, landing hard onto the Abyss’ chest with his clawed feet. His bone protrusion, stabbing into the lead wolf’s head, his hand lashing out and grabbing a gray wolf by its throat, bringing its head toward his mouth and taking a chunk out of the creature. Turning his gaze to the last wolf, his eyes sharp and cold. The largest wolf still impaled on his hand, the soft whimper and quick fleeing of the wolf finally allowed Sage to turn his gaze to the bent and broken sapling, and the squirming Abyss under his clawed feet.
“Brother,” its soft croon rising in height, black blood leaking from its mouth as it speaks, “we can work together brother, wait let me...” letting his foot off the creature's chest, he extracts his bone protrusion and stabs down into the creature's throat. Lowering his face to the Abyss’ as he watched the spark leave its eye, and its shallow breath to cease, collapsing onto the corpse, the wounds he took, and adrenaline leaving his system leaving him exhausted.
Waking a short time later, Sage felt sore, his stomach empty of the cold energy he used to activate his spell, and his body worn and healing. The acrid smell of the creature under him made him feel sick, his eyes locking onto the sapling and going wide. It was shattered and broken, its golden luster seemingly lost, closing his eyes, he pinched its formerly golden leaves between his fingers, gently caressing them, feeling its life force weak and fading. His anger rising once more he reached down and allowed mycelium to spread through his palm over its body absorbing it completely.
The Abyss, a creature of shadow, a bat, nocturnal, hearing, the Abyss possesses a sleek yet menacing physique, slim but powerful with dark, leathery wings that are reminiscent of shadows themselves. Its fur, as gray black, absorbs all light that falls upon it, rendering it nearly invisible in the darkest corners of the night. Its fierce eyes, glowing with an eerie purple hue, don't see the material world but the mana of this world. Sage saw himself, in an eerie purple, green, and crimson light. The red is much more prevalent than the other colors, and seemingly suffuses his body thoroughly.
This creature's intellect is unparalleled among other creatures consumed, its mind complex and multipurpose, Sage had to stop his own mind from changing to match this creature, fearful of the effects it would have on himself. The Abyss possesses an innate ability to cast shadow magic using its mana and its vocal cords can cast psychic attacks, a purely physical form of magic not actually using any mana. His own throat changes to match this ability, and knowledge of stealth and shadows enters his mind, even if unable to make use of this creature's innate knowledge.
Sage dropped to his need, his head aching, the feeling reminiscent of when he received knowledge from the strange crystal after his first trial. A vitality filling him after absorbing the corpses of the wolves and the bear as well, his body subtly shifting to becoming stronger when he came across or understood improvements he could make.
Kneeling before the sapling, Sage felt determined, using his hands to prop the Sapling back straight, he attempted to infuse it with his cold energy in his stomach, with his vitality, with anything he could. It seemed the magic and power of the Apex didn't work outside of his body… outside of his body. His eyes morphing to the glowing purple orbs of the Abyss, he analyzed the sapling, watching its flows and movements, studying it, watching the flow from its roots, and its energy flow.
A strange impulse overtaking him, Sage reached out and plucked a leaf, spreading mycelium and absorbing it completely, knowledge entering his mind, he plucked another, and another, eventually ripping the tree from the ground and consuming it completely. Its knowledge simultaneously is more and less than the Abyss.
Ignoring the flashing notification:
Congratulation you have passed The Fifth Trial: From Finral
You have consumed the Abyss and the Sapling, your strength and knowledge grow, continue and conquer.
Sage ignored it and continued to work, shifting his body, analyzing the information in his mind. In his left palm, materializing attached to his skin, sapling sprouts, growing much smaller than it originally did, Sage quickly and decisively uses his sharp bone protrusion to cut off his hand. The sapling dropped into the hole the original left, using his remaining hand to cover the sapling.
Congratulation you have passed The Fifth Trial: From Finral
You have consumed the Abyss and the Sapling, your strength and knowledge grow, continue and conquer.
Congratulation you have passed The Fifth Trial: From Finral
You have consumed the Abyss and protected the sapling, your power is used to protect that which is important to you, venture and find others to protect.
Grimacing, Sage knew on an instinctual level his left hand would be unable to re-grow, it was a strange twist of his magic to make new life, to allow this sapling to continue to live. Turning he ignored the crystal, he ignored the notification simply saving the augment points, and continued to the next trial, the fifth trial. Entering a blistering red, the color reminding him of his own mana infusing his body, or rather the Apex’s mana, continuing on to whatever challenges await him. He would have his questions answered, and with a trigger of [Centered Mind] he finished his thought, he would seek justice for Gortann.