Title [Ally of the Wild] has become [Servant of Eldros].
You have chosen to enter the Primordial of the Wild’s service, taking the first steps on the path of increasing the power and influence of your patron. This title can be upgraded through acts that empower Eldros and expand his domain. +2 CON, +2 SPI, +4 DEX per level.
You have learned [Wild Communion] [Rare]. You share a bond with the beings that reside within the forest, from the predators to the ancient trees. Wild Communion will allow you to communicate with those beings that fall under Eldros’ domain and purview. In addition, these beings will recognize a kindred spirit in you and may offer their aid should you prove worthy of it.
Lanek looked at the Primordial before him. “Thank you for these gifts.”
Eldros waved away his thanks. “You will need those gifts if you wish to serve me effectively. Without [Wild Communion] in particular, you could very well find your journey cut short. Those creatures that still exist in my territory do not like outsiders intruding upon the peace of the wild.”
“I understand. Still, you have my thanks, I will take whatever extra power I can get at this point. Before we discuss what I need to do to help Idril, could I ask a question about the Soulbinder class you gave me?”
“You wish to know how to evolve it and what caused the corrupted Soulbinders to fall in the past. To the first question, it does not evolve. As to your second question, the Soulbinders of past that fell did so due to temptation. They stumbled across methods or were shown how to use their [Soul Contract] ability to enslave the minds of others. It always started small, forcing a reluctant person or creature to bond with them in order to prepare for a major battle, but then it always escalated once they realized how much easier it was to simply force someone to follow them than attempt to convince them to join. If they were not stopped early enough, it would snowball and they would become akin to Necromancers in that they would also lead legions of slaves and thralls.”
“That makes a lot sense, actually. It’s difficult for people to reject an easy path to power. So, is there a reason that Soulbinders do not evolve?”
“There are actually quite a few classes that do not evolve, usually due to some inherent ability that makes up for the lack of evolution. For example, the Paladin class does not evolve due to the many blessings that their god gives them, blessings that vary from god to god, but are always incredibly powerful. In the case of the Soulbinder class, you have the ability to take on a total of three subclasses. In addition, your subclasses will have the capability to fuse into new classes based on how much synergy they have with your other classes. Not only will this potentially allow you to get stronger subclasses, but it will also free up a subclass slot after the fusion so you can select another subclass. You are not too far from unlocking your third subclass slot.”
“That sounds incredibly useful and quite powerful.”
“It is, but I must warn you that it is not the most powerful of the [Mythical] or [Legendary] classes. There are other classes that have the same perk that yours does and some that have much more powerful perks, so you need to take care that you do not get overconfident.”
“I will try to keep my ego in check.”
“Good. Now, let’s move on to the primary reason I called you here. Idril.”
“Of course. Ivan said that Idril put up the shield herself. Do we know why Idril locked herself away?”
“Yes, she is protecting the last of her children. When the dungeon broke and the Order of the Talon marched on the dungeon’s forces, they found themselves quickly outmatched and surrounded. As Idril prepared to sell her life as dearly as possible and fall alongside her rider, the grandmaster of the Talon ordered her to make haste to the monastery while he stayed behind to lead his knights. The reason that he ordered her away was because those soldiers of the Order that were responsible for protecting Idril’s young and that were tasked to take them from the city for their safety were ambushed and fighting for their lives. By the time Idril arrived, all but one of her children were already dead, with the last of her offspring wounded and being shielded by a single remaining member of the Order.”
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Lanek shook his head at the thought of Idril not only seeing the Order of the Talon die, but also losing all of her children. Did she go mad?
Eldros continued his tale. “Idril descended on the monsters in a fury, rescuing her child just as the brave woman that had protected it perished. However, when Idril moved her child to the temporary safety of the monastery and inspected it, she discovered that it had been fatally injured and would not survive the night. It was then that she summoned every ounce of power she had to shield them both from harm and put them into a deep slumber that would keep her child alive.”
“But that isn’t really living for the child.” Lanek objected.
“No, it isn’t. However, after losing so many of her children, Idril wasn’t thinking logically. I imagine that she just couldn’t bear the thought of losing another. Maybe she thought that I or the members of the Order in the other monastery’s throughout the continent would come to her aid when the dungeon break was put down and order restored. She couldn’t have known that I would become so weakened and that the rest of the continent would be facing their own doom as well.”
“Could I save Idril’s child with [Soul Contract]? I’ve never tried to use it on anything living and I really don’t want to have to make Idril watch her child die before I can use it.”
“Yes, the skill does not require its target to be dead before making your offer to bind them to your soul. I can transport you through the shield, but you will be on your own from there. Are you ready?”
“One moment, please. Once I do this, will I be able to contact you again?”
“Yes, but it will not be as simple as calling out to or praying to me like shamans and priests do. You will be able to eventually, once you upgrade that title. However, until then you will only be able to speak to me in places where I have a strong presence, such as my glade in the forest or near one of my guardian beasts.” Eldros explained while gesturing toward Idril.
“How will I find that glade?”
“Once it is safe to do so, I will have Idril bring you there.”
“Okay, that’s all I’ve got for now. I’m ready.”
“Good luck, Lanek.”
Moments later, Lanek found himself within the shield staring into the wide open and furious eyes of Idril. Luckily, she only appeared angry rather than wild with rage, which would give him a chance to talk to her. Making her listen, on the other hand, was a whole other issue.
“Idril, please calm down. Can you understand me? Can you use [Identify]?”
I can understand you. There was a pause as Idril’s mental voice became silent. A servant of Eldros? Are you here to help my child? Why did it take so long? I thought Eldros had abandoned me.
Lanek could feel the anguish radiating from Idril and a glimmer of hope. Taking a breath, he began explaining the state of the world, of Caelis’ fall and Eldros’ loss of power and influence. As he spoke, he felt the spark of hope fade from the mighty gryphon.
So. There is no hope. Must I watch yet another of my children die?
“Not necessarily. Are you familiar with the [Soul Contract] skill? Is it possible for me to show it to you?”
I am not familiar with that skill, no. But, yes, you can show it to me. Simply focus on sharing the skill with me and the System should do the rest. Lanek could feel the resignation coming off of her, as if she couldn’t bring herself to believe that he could help her.
Seconds later, Idril was staring intently in front of her, presumably at a status screen from the System. Is that the price of my child’s life? Servitude?
“No. I think you know that neither Eldros nor any of those aligned with him would demand servitude. I know that you lost your child before you had a chance to spend any time with them or for them to have any kind of a childhood, although I have no idea what kind of childhood one of your kind has. No, I offer this skill freely. If you and your child accept, I will not require your child to stay with me nor will I summon them to me until such a time as you approve and only if they want to join me.”
And this will heal them? I must know more about this process before I can agree to it.
So Lanek described how it had brought Kazuma back to life and freed Sanguineus from his twisted existence. He explained how they could reside and heal within his soul if they needed to and how he could summon them into himself if needed. Lanek also described how he and his two companions had evolved and how he had not only given them the freedom to choose their own evolutions but also when they entered or left his soul. Finally, he explained how he could communicate with them and feel their emotions.
As Lanek spoke, he could see Idril listening intently, nodding in approval at his words. Slowly, she shifted and lifted one of her wings, allowing Lanek to see her child for the first time. He winced at the state of the poor creature, a deep gash stretched from its chest all the way to hindquarters. Only the magical stasis within Idril’s shield had kept it from bleeding out. He became confused as he observed the creature, noting how it did not have any wings. Had they been torn off?
Seeing Lanek’s confusion, Idril explained. A female gryphon like myself can give birth to two types of offspring, others like myself and those like him. He is what is known as a demigryph.