EPISODE 100: SIX — 1
— Edryan Queendom, Year: 7291. Season: Color Fading.
You have been teleported to the Hall of Attributes.
“Huff.”
“Huff.”
“Huff.”
In, out, in, out—rapidly, I pulled air in and out. It was all so… instant. Aspect Rasheed—that bastard.
‘ Minerva…? ’
…
“ MINERVA? ”
…
My connection to Minerva was still present, but my calls went unanswered. Alone… I would be undergoing this Trial of Six alone. This time, there was no second voice in my head to comment on my actions and keep me pushing forward. I still felt our connection and could tell Minerva was under no harm, but the small remarks and comments I expected were gone.
A long heavy sigh escaped from my lips and my shoulders sagged. I can’t be tired.
Being a chess piece in a game between Gods—even that of a King’s Piece— Wasn’t… Something… I… Enjoyed. Yet, I already understood the solution to the problem I faced.
Power.
Carefully, I studied the area I found myself in—spells and skills on the tip of my tongue in case danger showed. The first thing I looked for was Madria, who teleported us into this place. Unfortunately, it seems she was not teleported to the same starting area I found myself in. In fact… where am… I?
A large hall with three mountainous pillars and flaming torches revealed itself before me. If it wasn’t for the large pillars and the notification of where I’d been teleported to—then I’d have believed myself to be outside.
Waist high yellow grass accompanied the chirping of insects and the calls of animals. In the distance, I could hear a waterfall and a plethora of other sounds. My eyes strained to gaze at and ending or horizon but nothing showed—I could not see an end in sight. Only startling darkness with flickering starlight that reminded me of Starglow Valley. Did this… have something to do with Ashaka — Mighty Star? I put the thought to the side and continued my survey. The air was dry and the temperature hot, but a cool breeze carrying the spray of water drifted through the air.
“Where the hell… am… I?”
I tapped the bracelet on my left wrist and out dropped a small axe. It wasn’t quite a hatchet, but it would cut down some taller patches of grass.
“Wish that bastard gave me some type of hint of what I was supposed to do.”
If Minerva were still here, she’d be filling me in with the information about the local area within seconds. Now, that task was left up to me.
“The Hall of Attributes, huh?”
“First thing’s first, I have to find Madria.”
A dozen different emotions flashed through my thoughts. The only thing I was assured of was Minerva’s safety. I was scared… but I couldn’t let that fear stop me.
“Beat this trial… find an exit… make it back to Edrya… kill Rasheed.”
I nodded my head as I acknowledged the goals I set for myself. They would be accomplished in that order.
My goals confirmed, I began to head toward the source of water. The week I spent at the Royal Hunting Grounds brought back memories I’d long since put aside. The [Jackalope — ★ ] and the first beast I killed. Its fur remained a trophy hanging in my study.
The time spent in the forest taught me a valuable lesson in wilderness survival, and natural skills I hadn’t used in years began to rise to the forefront.
I traveled swiftly and in moments I arrived at the waterfall—its blue mist gently landing on my skin. I focused for a moment, and pulled out a metal flask, careful in my approach to fill it. Anything could be lurking in the taller grass. My Intent and other natural senses were focused on any signs of danger.
In fact, I was so focused I didn’t notice the attack until it was too late.
“What the…?”
I looked down on the creature that attacked me.
“(Inspect).”
[Power Bunny]
Base Atk: 10
Base Def: 10
HP: 105/105
SP: 105/105
HP Regen: 36/Hour
SP Regen: 36/Hour
Power: 35
Endurance: 35
Vitality: 35
Self: 35
Description:
A powerful bunny. Beware, do not let its chubby cheeks deceive you, for its attacks are as mighty as its cuteness!
…
“Huh?”
An awkward chuckle escaped from my moth as the bunny continued to head bump me. Its attack too weak to activate (Mage Barrier). The bunny was adorable, with slick brown and grey fur and beady black eyes. Gently, as to not attack it, I moved the little guy back with my foot. Unfortunately, that only seemed to spur it on further, as the [Power Bunny] resumed its attacks the moment my foot pulled away.
If this was a place that was supposed to threaten my life… then I didn’t see it just yet. Just as I was getting annoyed, my stomach growled, and a notification made itself known.
Status Effect: De-Buff
Name:
{Hunger}
Description:
Uh, Oh! You haven’t eaten in a while. That’s not good.
Function:
-25% reduction to all regeneration stats.
I looked down at the [Power Bunny] continuously attacking me. I’d brought plenty of items and I even managed to procured dried rations of my own making, but if a late breakfast was going to present itself to me… I returned my hatchet to storage and gazed hungrily at the bunny.
The [Power Bunny] went in from another headbutt yet this time its attack was never complete as I reached down—hand around its neck in a swift and tight squeeze.
My plan was to put it out of its misery before having a quick meal and moving onwards. I’d already secured an objective in finding water. All that was left was finding Madria, and understanding what I needed to accomplish to finish this trial.
I frowned, the [Power Bunny] continuously squirmed in my hand. I’d subconsciously used my golem arm, (Imperius Synchronization) was still active and slowly draining my mana.
My hand tightened again, this time tighter yet nothing happened. Carefully, I transferred the bunny to my left hand. The {Crippled} de-buff was negated when (Imperius Synchronization) was active. This second golem arm I created—Golem Arm Mark II—was far more advanced and held a few runic tricks up its sleeve…
Yet, it couldn’t kill a single rabbit?
I found that difficult to believe—the soft fur of the [Power Bunny] entered my left hand, and I once again squeezed. This time I put everything I had into the attack.
…
“(Inspect).”
[Power Bunny]
Base Atk: 10
Base Def: 10
HP: 105/105
SP: 105/105
HP Regen: 36/Hour
SP Regen: 36/Hour
Power: 35
Endurance: 35
Vitality: 35
Self: 35
Description:
A powerful bunny. Beware, do not let its chubby cheeks deceive you, for its attacks are as mighty as its cuteness!
“Its stats aren’t anything abnormal… perhaps there is something wrong with me? Status.”
Lawruthian Imperius Koltius Edryani – Level 41
HP: 825/825
SP: 467/765
MP: 755/1050
Base Atk: 145
Base Def: 85
HP Regen: 36/Hour (-9)
SP Regen: 35/Hour (-9)
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MP Regen: 45/Hour (-11)
Bloodline:
[+]
Race:
Magi-Human
Main Class:
[Imperius Golemlord] - 30
Perks:
Codex of Earth
Power: 290
2nd Class:
[Holy Prince of Edryan] - 11
Core Skills: [+]
Vitality: 275
3rd Class: [LOCKED]
Racial Skills: [+]
Endurance: 265
Faith: Goddess Madris
Status Effects: [+]
Mind: 350
Faction:
Imperius
Equipped:
Basic Linens
Self: 207
Faction Benefits:
Skills: [+]
Intent: 220
Achievements: [+]
Active Quest: [+]
Magic Affinity: -
Attribute Points: 0
A deep frown appeared on my face. My attributes from Achievements—Titles, Blessings, and the like—were greyed and dull looking. They were present, but it looks like the Hall of Attributes were suppressing them. All I was left with was my base stats—as my regeneration took a -25% hit.
That meant my 145 Base Attack should be more than enough to kill the [Power Bunny] with room to spare.
“What’s going on?”
There was no response as I voiced the thought aloud. I frowned and shook my head—tossing the [Power Bunny] to the side and removing some dried jerky from my bracelet.
I only had about two days worth of food if I rationed it. My eyes roamed throughout the area—I found myself standing next to the height of a small waterfall. Gazing down, the water dropped into a clear pool that didn’t hold a single ripple. The water simply fell into the pool and seemed to vanish without ever upsetting the pool.
I moved to the edge of the small cliff and began to make my way down—landing on the ground with a soft thud. My eyes surveyed the pool from a few dozen feet away—the waist-high grass began to fade, and I noticed the tracks of some quadrupedal beast that headed deeper into the Hall. I frowned as I studied the tracks—grass blackened from the passage of the creature.
“Maybe wolf… might be dog…”
I approached the pool, carefully to not rustle much of the grass. This time, both hands grasped a short spear. The tracks appeared fresh, no more than an hour or two. Mana and Stamina Points continued to drain from me as (Imperius Synchronization) stayed active. I couldn’t keep it on much longer.
I entered the radius of the pool—senses heighten to the max. My Intent spread just over two hundred feet around me but keeping constant attention in that range was draining. A small river diverged from the pool and headed deeper toward the innards of the Hall.
I paused in front of the pool, my reflection—red-gold eyes and long ebony-gradient hair— gazed back at me. My shoulders sagged as I relaxed—the strain of my Intent lessoning.
“The Pool of Self Reflection… ,” I said softly.
The name seemed to just appear in my head. “Well, at least I know where I will need to understand Self at.”
CRACK!
I spun, spear lunging toward the noise as I prepared to cast a spell.
“It’s me!”
At the last moment, I pulled back—spear tip inches from Madria’s eye. She swallowed and slowly her hand raised and pushed the tip away.
“…are you ok?”
I released the tight grip I held on the short spear, and lowered my guard. Madria’s eyes held concern in them, and she approached me slowly.
“Yeah… I’m ok. What happened, how did we-“
I attacked before the sentence finished, the spear blade easily penetrated Madria. Cold red-gold eyes gazed into the rustic gold of the creature.
Its features began to morph and twist—a snarl of frustration escaped from its lips.
“How… know?” Its voice was stony, gargled as it choked on its blood. Its body constantly shifted and morphed—taking on the form of Madria… then… Carno…? Edryani…?
A face that was familiar to my own appeared as the creature, however, the bastard clearly wasn’t as handsome. Yet all of the Goddess descendants held similar features and Carno was said to take this trial before me.
I twisted, and kicked the dying creature from my spear tip—black blood seeped from its wounds.
“Where is Madria,” I answered its question with one of my own.
All I received was a smirk in response.
You have defeated an [Echo].
Echo Shard: 1/3.
A grey marking appeared on my hand, right next to the [Mark of the Citizen]. There were two more of these creatures out there—if the [Echo] and shard numbers matched. I need to find Madria… I gazed down at the tracks of the slain creature, a decision already made.
----------------------------------------
“Are you sure this is the right way,” Madria questioned—eyebrows scrunched in concern.
Law turned to her, a confident smile on his face that caused her heart to flutter. He cleared the way forward—hatchet easily mowing down the tall grass.
“There has to be something of importance at these pillar-,” his words cut short—a frown on his face.
Lawruthian gazed back at the path they cleared.
“What’s wrong,” Madria asked as she turned back.
“Nothing, let’s go.”
She frowned. When she first appeared in the Hall of Attributes, Madria was separated from Law. It was fortunately that they found each other quickly—more like Lawruthian finding her. She’d almost blasted him with magic, but his quick warning brought down her heighten nerves.
She followed behind him, studying his broad back as they made their wya deeper into the Hall of Attributes. Her mouth opened and closed several times as she wanted to express her remorse for Minerva. However, the [Chosen of Madris] hadn’t mentioned it, and Madria decided against saying much. She would rather not bring any pain Lawruthian was experiencing to the forefront.
He forged on ahead, clearly determined to make it toward the first pillar. All the while, Madria followed.
As they traveled, she did the only thing she could do—pray. This time, she felt her prayers become a lot more receptive to the Goddess Madris. However, she still could not contact the Goddess in the manner she usually could. Madria felt a lot better than when they resided in the domain of Aspect Rasheed. It was under him that she constantly felt stifled and her connection to the Goddess was the weakest. She hadn’t felt that weak of a connection since she was a child, and the grade of her faith was low.
She followed Lawruthian—a frown gracing her features. They hadn’t run into anything, and the chirping of insects and calls of beast were aplenty. Every step Lawruthian took was careful… measured, and it appeared like he knew exactly where he was going… not that it was hard to miss as the looming mountainous pillar grew closer.
She studied the object, her eyes narrowing—then widening as she noticed the runic carvings on the pillar. There was a single giant character that faced them. One that she’d seen a dozen times, and one that held numerous meanings.
Power.
Might.
Strength.
…
Potential.
All words that could be used to describe the runic character. Madria’s steps paused—she frowned. Her eyes narrowing as she readied a skill. Steps ahead, Lawruthian paused, hatchet at the ready.
He turned to face her, a look of concern on his face. “What’s wrong?”
“Don’t you feel it,” Madria questioned, as her eyes turned to face their left.
She breathed in deeply. The air ranked…
It smelled foul like rotten sewage mixed with decaying bodies, only one of the scents Madria held familiarity with… and it was not the former. The Divine Mana in her body began to boil—it seemed angry, agitated as whatever was provoking Madria was only a distance away. She focused—her Intent could only cover a distance of seventy meters, but that was more than enough.
“We should go,” Lawruthian returned, gently tugging on her arm. His fingers were cool to the touch, but it was that touch that broke Madria out of the state she was in.
Corruption.
The air ranked of corruption. Whatever was quietly waiting a distance away was corrupted beyond a state of repair. Madria’s Divine Mana fought against it—ready to charge from her body and purify the area. To do its duty as the mana of a deity should and correct the imbalance that was present.
A few more tugs from Lawruthian finally brought Madria away. They had to focus on the objective.
She returned to following him—her frown deepening as she rubbed at the area Law touched. It was cool and didn’t have the usual warmth his touch held. She shook the thoughts from her head and hurried to distance herself from the area of corruption.
Whatever it was, there was dangerous and something she didn’t understand. It felt wrong… and when her Intent brushed over the area, she couldn’t see what was there. The area held a void—almost like it didn’t exist at all.
groooOOAAAANNNNN.
Madria’s face flushed, and she held a hand to her belly as the {Hunger} de-buff made itself known to her. She’d only just woken up and began to head to the kitchen—a nice breakfast for Lawruthian in mind, when the Aspect of Knowledge interrupted.
The man before her laughed at her stomachs rumble, “Come on, let's get you something to eat.”
Madria hadn’t even managed to scream—the terrifying image of the aged, yellowed orbs the dragon called eyes seared itself into her brain.
All it took was one word and her Intent—her will was no longer under her control.
“ Come. ”
That was all Aspect Rasheed said, and her mind and body obeyed. The only other time he talked was when he forced her to sit and offered her tea. Madria was terrified the entire time—what kept her going was hope and prayer. She knew it would only be a matter of time before Lawruthian would arrive…
Yet… even knowing that…
Why did she feel so…
Weak.
Her mind was on autopilot as she followed Lawruthian deeper into the Hall of Attributes. She gazed at her hands and recalled the moment the [Chosen of Madris] asked her to become a [Hero]. Not the second time when she accepted, but the first when he truly bore his heart to her.
“Will you help me? Help me conquer the world?”
It was those words that truly began to ignite a passion in her. It was those words that made her come to Starglow Valley and be by his side.
However, the events with the Aspect showed her something.
Weak.
In truth, Madria was too weak.
She was too weak to help.
She was too weak to dispel {Magenta Mirage}
She was too weak to resist Aspect Rasheed.
She was too weak.
She didn’t want to be so weak that the words of Queen Titiana, the words that brought Lawruthian to them… would always be true.
Grant me a son who thinks like no other. A son who talks like no other. A son who will not walk amongst others. Not because he is behind, but because he is too far ahead! I beseech you, Madris – The First Edryani. Grant me a child that no other will ever rival. Not in this continent. Not in this world .
So that's why she came along. To get stronger, strong enough to at least stand close to him—even if he continuously foraged ahead. The least she could do was heal any injuries he sustained.
Her eyes aligned on his back as she watched her silent spell strike.
You have defeated an [Echo].
Echo Shard: 1/3.
No [Echo] could deceive her. That was not the back she wished to follow. She’d not let another illusion fool her.
That was not the back she wanted to protect.