Riley looked at the heavens. Stars twinkled, and the horrible ache throughout her body slowly faded. She looked down and saw her reflection in the black glass. She thought about it, and it shifted to the elven form. I could be an elf. They don’t seem too bad. Looking up, she looked around the space and conjured her lute.
“Hello, Riley,” Beauty said, appearing and walking forward.
Riley waved and then thrummed the strings.
“Hello, my darling Beauty,
it’s good to see you here.
I think I went and messed it up.
Did I die? I fear.”
Beauty laughed and shook her head. “No. You fought a fragment of an old god that took a dark road.”
Riley let her fingers whirl across the strings. “An old god?”
“Yes.”
“Will you explain?” Riley asked, her fingers strumming strings. Beauty shrugged, and Riley focused on the strings, painting a picture with the sounds. The colors became more vibrant. The stars sparkled in harmony, and she let her fingers run wild.
Like a girl frolicking in a meadow, she let the tune dance while grinning at Beauty.
Beauty smiled. “Oh, I’ve missed you.” She pulled Riley into a hug, shattering the song.
Riley chuckled and looked at the goddess. “I don’t get that part.”
“Because you don’t remember,” Beauty replied.
“Do the elves deserve to be forgiven?” Riley asked. “The humans certainly didn’t do good things with their power.”
“No, they did not,” Beauty said, sighing and ending the hug.
“Music cursed them because they were killing all the humans. Why did they do it?”
“Power. Corruption. You see it with the humans, too.” Beauty patted Riley’s back. “Music stopped them and hoped it would be enough. It wasn’t. That was when she concocted the wild plan of hers.”
“What plan?” Riley asked. Where is she?
Beauty smiled. “Oh, I can’t tell you that. You’d have to get it from Music. I’m not sure I even understand it all.”
Mischief popped into the room and chuckled. “Madness, that’s what it is.” He pulled Riley into a hug and rubbed her head.
“Stop that!” Riley jerked away.
Mischief laughed and waved. He vanished.
Riley turned back to Beauty. “He’s a character.”
“He misses you. Mischief loves listening to music.” Beauty chuckled and gestured. She sat on a pristine couch.
Riley sat next to her. She looked up at the stars. If I were Music, what would I do? She paused and considered it. I’d forgive them and restore things. They need it. Then, I’d clean up the blood fields and find a better way to let people get power. She frowned.
“A sil for your thoughts?” Beauty asked.
“Can I talk to Music?”
“You’re going to ask about her plan?” Beauty asked.
Riley nodded. “Yes. She seems to have chosen me as an instrument.” She gestured to the lute. “And things will always have this problem. The dungeons aren’t strong enough to support all of us. Corruption seeps in.”
Beauty nodded. “Wise words.” She turned. “How would you fix it?”
Riley shrugged. “I don’t know how it works.”
“Yes. Music studied it for a long time. Then, she devised her plan. I wish that I could share it. I’m sure you’ll figure it out.” Beauty smiled at her.
Riley sighed. “Is there a way to fix it?”
“Perfectly? I do not believe so,” Beauty replied.
“If I wanted to be an elf and to have her lift the curse?” Riley asked.
“Seek a place of power. This is your meditative plane. You slipped here after your fight with it.”
Riley nodded. “Thanks, Beauty.”
Beauty smiled and scooted next to Riley. “Nervous to sit next to a goddess?”
Riley nodded. “It’s strange. Do you do this to others?”
“A few.” Beauty winked.
“What about this dark god?” Riley asked.
Beauty sighed. “That’s a whole other story.”
“But if he emerges?”
“We will act. However, his fragments or avatars may bleed through. We have limited power over those. We do have our rules.” Beauty smiled sympathetically at her.
“Is it really fair to keep someone bound away?” Riley asked.
“There are reasons for it, Riley. I shall spare you a lecture on the gods.”
Riley raised a brow. “I can get a lecture on the gods?” She grinned at Beauty.
“Not today.” Beauty chuckled.
“Would you forgive them?” Riley asked, looking at the goddess.
Beauty smiled and nodded. “I would.” She leaned over and kissed Riley on the head. “Be careful out there, Melody.”
Riley looked up at her. “Melody?” she asked as the world blurred and she slammed back into her body.
Blinking away the blur, she rubbed her eyes and saw Nicole dozing beside her. She carried me off the battlefield. Blushing, Riley looked over and saw soldiers standing guard. A few looked at her.
Do I sit up? Riley looked up at Nicole.
“Welcome back,” Nicole said, leaning over with a smile.
Riley sat up, her cheeks going red. “Did you—”
“Carry you off? Yes.” Nicole chuckled.
Again. Riley groaned. “That thing died, right?”
“Yes,” Nicole replied. “And something strange happened. A place of power formed. Some soldiers went inside. It’s full of wraiths and undead.” She grimaced and shook her head. “Most of the soldiers went in and cleared a little. Then they bailed. It was too risky.”
Riley nodded. “A wild one with wraiths? That’s rough.” She smiled. “I want to see it.”
Nicole chuckled. “I knew you’d say that.” She gestured. “Faelana has been worried sick about you.”
The druid dashed across the room and cast a healing spell on Riley. She paused and studied her.
Riley pulled back. “What’s with her?”
“Wraiths can cause spiritual damage. Healing from that is a very nasty business.” Faelana frowned. “Do you have any warnings from the gods or feel any pain?”
Riley looked at her notifications.
[You have slain a fragment of Corruption. +2074 experience.]
[Hidden Quest Completed! - You have aided the gods in removing a fragment of darkness from this realm. Please visit a place of power for your reward.]
Riley turned. “Did you get a quest?”
Nicole nodded. “We all did. I haven’t gone yet, but the soldiers were excited.”
Riley stood and stretched, working the stiffness from her body. Faelana walked up and inspected her.
“I assume this is about my choice?” Riley asked.
“And ensuring you’re healthy,” Faelana replied. “I’m sorry if I’m overstepping. I worry.” She swallowed and looked at Nicole.
“It’s fine,” Riley replied. She turned to Nicole. “Want to find out?”
“Yes.” Nicole stood and walked to the door.
Riley followed her, looking at the nervous elf. Should I just do it? She smiled and looked at her. “You don’t need to worry so much; I made my choice.”
Nicole turned. “You did?”
“Yes,” Riley smiled and skipped down the trail, heading back to the blood field.
“I do hope you’ll consider joining us,” Faelana said, walking swiftly forward. “We’d love to have you join us.”
Nicole moved up. “Are you sure, Riley? You haven’t met your grandparents.”
Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on the original website.
“Doesn’t matter,” Riley replied. She smiled at Nicole and jogged down the path. I should stop being mean, but it’s sort of funny. She chuckled to herself and jogged toward the barren ground. Gods, how long will it take to fully heal?
Walking across the patch of frozen mud and dirt, she felt a purse press into her hand. She pocketed it and turned.
“Something for you,” Nicole said with a wink. “And stop tormenting poor Faelana.”
Riley turned and chuckled. The poor elf was running her hands through her hair. “Sorry. Mischief rubbed off on me.” Turning back, she jogged forward and saw a group of guards and a makeshift fort.
Several soldiers looked at the three. A captain walked out of the structure. He looked at Riley and straightened his uniform.
Gods, I need to pick just to stop this. Riley smiled at him and walked toward the entrance.
“Welcome back. For the moment, we’re asking everyone to limit risk and potential collapse. Stick to the first level.” The captain paused. “And thank you for your aid, Lady Riley. Their majesties hope to meet with you when you have a spare moment. We’d love to host you here, regardless of your choice.”
“Thanks.” Riley smiled and walked inside the makeshift fort. The temple’s foundation had been placed under the sparkling place of power. Walking up to it, she stepped through, and different text flashed into view.
[You have entered a mending place of power and are being transported. Overtaxing the place may destroy it. All damage is persistent.]
I’m not getting resources back? Riley considered turning right back around. The world coalesced around her, and she found herself looking at bodies. They littered the ground like fallen snow. A smell of decay and blood blasted into her face.
Gods, this is horrible. Swallowing, she looked for the anchor, and a gnarled stump caught her eye. Walking to it, Riley placed her hand on it.
[The anchor has not yet fully formed. You may feed it crystals to aid it.]
Riley looked up. “Beauty, can you hear me? Should I leave and find a different one?”
Reaching back, Riley opened the coin purse. She looked at the crystal. Can I use this here?
[You should cleanse it here, and you may make your choice as you leave. ~Beauty]
“Will it summon an army of wraiths?” Riley swallowed and looked around the bloody field.
[It won’t. ~Death]
“Thanks.” Riley placed the crystal against the stump. Red streaks flickered down into the tree, and the stump came alive. Branches began to form. The wood expanded upward, pulling the crystal inside.
The sound of chirping birds filled the air, and Riley spun. She looked at the corpses. Scavengers descended on them, and plants burst from the ground. What?
Standing there, Riley watched as nature began reclaiming the place. She looked at the crystal. Smoke coalesced around it.
Conjuring her blades, Riley attacked it, ripping and shredding the gathering smoke. Ribbons of smoke streamed around. The coalescing wraith flickered. Magic thrummed around her, and the crystal surged with vibrant light.
[Fragment of the Divine (S) - This crystal will create or recharge a place of power. It may also be used to remove Music’s curse. Attuned to Riley Milvsky.]
Riley blinked and looked at it. She gently touched the crystal. It’s attuned to me. If I used it, what would happen?
Connecting with the crystal, she felt a torrent of energy coursing through it. Like sinking into the ocean or falling from the divine realm, it surrounded her.
Forcing her hand away, she looked at the text. Why doesn’t it have that option?
[Multiple reasons. It would likely destroy your body, and who knows what would remain. ~Beauty]
Riley looked at the crystal and let out a long breath. “Beauty, it’s a bad idea?”
[Yes. ~Beauty]
“Thanks.” Riley left the crystal there. Do I do something with the crystal or leave?
[If you wish to break the curse, play something on the lute. If you wish to sacrifice it here, channel it into the place. ~Beauty]
Riley looked around the place. She summoned the lute and strummed the strings, letting the sound carry out through the field of death.
The crystal glowed, rain fell, and Beauty’s voice rang from the heavens.
“Music had a mission.
People to be saved.
And so she used her power
to lock some things away.
“Sadly, then to break it.
It must come with a price;
a fragment of some power
that would be sacrificed.
“Greed can be consuming;
that’s how he came to be.
A void and growing hunger,
consuming all he sees.”
Riley looked up. It’s a lesson about them? Her fingers danced on the strings, and she sang.
“Music, please forgive them.
Take another path.
Help the people learn and grow
with each and every act.
“May this place recover.
May we see a brighter day.
Tell Music that I miss her
and long to hear her play.”
Strumming the chords, Riley walked through the sparkling vortex. She let out a long breath. “Can I be a female elf, please?” she prayed and felt her form alter, her ears grow longer, and her body become more lithe.
[Quest Complete: You have aligned your body with your spirit.]
[Reward: Your fourth class slot is unlocked.]
[Quest Complete: Aided the gods in cleansing this land.]
[Reward: Ranger (C) has been upgraded to Purifier (A).]
[Purifier: These rangers specialize in removing undead, blight, and other monstrosities. ]
[Hidden Quest Complete: Sacrifice power for Music and others.]
[Reward: Bard (C) has been upgraded to Music's Paragon (S).]
[Your base level has advanced: 352 → 360!]
Smiling, Riley stepped out of the portal, and shocked faces greeted her.
Riley Milvsky
Level: 360
Music's Paragon (S)
Level: 321 + 5
Dominating Presence C +1 level to the assigned class. Enemies within 100 meters of you lose 20 strength, 20 dexterity, and 20 speed. You may expend bardic inspiration to increase the effect. Psionic Storm C +1 to the assigned class. Conjure a storm of void or psychic energy. Variable cost. Restoring Presence B +2 to the assigned class. Subjects regain 1% stamina and 1% mana every 30 minutes; their healing is augmented by 50%. Allies within 100 meters count as subjects. You know of injuries and may use mana to heal allies within fifty meters. You may use inspiration to expand and increase the effect. Empowering Presence C +1 to the assigned class. Your subjects gain +20 strength, +20 dexterity, and +20 movement speed; allies within twenty meters count as subjects. You may use Bardic Inspiration to temporarily boost the range and the effect.
Psionic Assassin (B)
Level: 270 + 12
Assume Disguise S +30 charisma. Enhance your current disguise by altering your displayed information and taking on the disguised form. Grants +5 levels to the assigned class. Perception and Insight suffer -250 levels against your disguise and -50 levels against your deception or stealth. Penalty applied: Gods’ Oversight. Momentous Tempo B +10 speed. This boost will increase to up to +100 for every ten seconds you are in motion. Slowing in any way will reduce the effect. +2 levels to assigned class. You may use a charge of inspiration to boost your movement speed by an additional 10 for a minute. Death's Cloak A Slain enemies will grant experience to your base level and active classes. +3 levels to the assigned class. Perception and insight suffer -25 levels against you. Penalty applied: Covenant. Ambush B +10 speed. +2 levels to the assigned class. Costs one stamina to use. On use, you teleport to a shadow within 20 meters. Penalty applied: Covenant.
Spell Thief(B)
Level: 275 + 3
Focused Sight B +2 to the assigned class. Your perception and insight are boosted by 50, increasing to 100 when studying the same target for over a minute. This boost is not reduced by low light or no light. You may use 1 stamina to double this effect for ten seconds. Spirit Blade C +1 level to assigned class. Manifest an ethereal blade of psychic energy that will vanish after thirty seconds or six seconds after being thrown. Costs one stamina or one mana to manifest a blade.
EMPTY
Pretty C Use a mana to get Beauty’s help! She may provide it anyway. Oh, and you’ll stand out in a crowd! After all, everyone knows a Beauty. Music's Lute - You may summon this lute from the heavens. It will return to the heavens when you will it away.
Purifier (A) Level: 294 Inactive. Noble (C)
Level: 56 Inactive. Enchanter (E)
Level: 320 Inactive. Alchemist (D)
Level: 242 Inactive. Infiltrator (D)
Level: 48 Inactive. - -
Conjure Storm D Manipulate or conjure up a storm. Mana cost varies. Conjure Potion C +1 to assigned class. Conjure a potion that you understand. You may add an additional minor healing effect to any potion. Cost varies based on the potion and potion duration. Heavenly Refrain C +1 levels to the assigned class. Use this skill to have the heavens join your song. Grants +100 charisma for the duration of the song and may only be used as long as the gods are willing. Control Water E Manipulate the water around you. Cost varies based on amount.
Dexterity 1891 Strength 688 Speed 899 Intelligence 1238 Charisma 1366 Stamina 968 Mana 3094 Inspiration 992