EPISODE 30: SPOILER TITLE
-Edryan Queendom, Year 7291. Lawruthian’s Birthday
Simra’s breath hitched as she and every other body, whether student or staff felt it. Felt Her descent upon the mortal plane. An instinctive feeling arose within her. The light hair on her arms and neck rose as a charge entered the air.
Her body moved before her mind could process what was happening. A state of ecstatic elation began to overtake her and the crowd that first walked…, and then ran as the jubilation of their Goddess descent overtook them.
Simra could barely keep herself under control. The crowd shifted and converged as its members made their way to one of the many parks on campus. Golden radiance seemed to be in the air. A charge of life, unlike anything Simra ever experienced, bathe her as the crowd drew in closer. The ground shook as thousands made their way forward skills and abilities activating to get a chance to move forward even a bit faster. Simra was amongst those who did. Her sixteenth birthday was the winter before the semester ended.
As they arrived figures began to kneel and pray. Some performed their ablution at the stop while others just kneeled and express their wants and desires. The one who could grant those desires descended upon liquid steps of gold. Simra heard none of it as the congregation heard nothing from one another. The only sound that entered her ears was the Song of War. A thousand-thousand steps marching in sync to the beat of drums and calls of their commanders. Adrenaline hit her chest with a force of a charging bull. A call to march, to WAR, entered her crystalline heart that beat in tune.
THUMP-THUMP.
THUMP-THUMP.
THUMP-THUMP.
THUMP-THUMP.
THUMP-THUMP.
The weapon bearers were the first figures she saw. As the compulsion to pray overtook her fellow magi-humans, Simra was the only one left standing, gazing at the proceedings in awe. The bearers were giants that stepped through the doors of the Promised Land. Simra would easily fit into the palm of their hands yet as they walked, they slowly shrank. Until their height was of more…, mortal limits.
The first bearer was an armored figure of gold with a large great sword strapped to his back. The Sword of Mountain and Stone. Simra’s fist clenched as she knew who the figure bearing this sword of the Goddess was.
“King Darius – The Legend!”
Recognizing his famous depiction since her young days in school. Simra couldn’t help but make a sign of respect in his direction. The Legend was the perfect depiction of a knight. One who came to the rescue of others and the savior of the Musa clan. They pleaded to serve him and his bloodline until the blood debt was repaid.
Simra also made a sign of respect for the second figure. A woman wearing scholar garments and a mage robe of old. Far different from the half armor half robe battle mages wore today. Princess Carina – Carnage One. A sign of respect was also sent her way.
The world seemed to stop as a third figure began her descent and Simra fell to her knees in awe and worship. Her blood, her mana, her very being seemed to call out to this figure. To plead for a chance to be noticed…, to be accepted once again. As all others around her kneeled Simra would swear the figure sent a wink in her direction. One of the three faces of Goddess Madris descended upon the mortal plane. Feet bare yet her footsteps resonated through the song itself.
Step…
Step…
Step…
The song of war grew in crescendo until you could hear none but it and the steps of Goddess Madris. It overcame the din of Simra’s thoughts. It overcame the thumping of her heart, beating in crescendo with those very steps. It overcame the presence of those around her until all that was left was a select few.
Just as the figures before She did, the figure of the Goddess grew smaller and smaller. Yet her hourglass body remained viewable for all to see, not that any held themselves upright in the presence of their Goddess. Brownskin glistens through the radiance shining around Her. Black painted nails that seemed to draw you in with tiny stars upon them. Stars match the belt of black and gold around her waist. Stars that represented her divine queendom and the Promised Land. None besides Simra gazed upon the Goddess – none but her and the young man She now locked gazes with. The smile present on her face caused Simra to weep not in joy, but sadness. For it was a smile not directed at her. No matter her three weekly prayers to the Goddess.
“Happy Birthday, Lawruthian,” Goddess Madris said warmly and pleasantly.
The words came clear for all to hear. As not even a pin would dare to drop and make noise in the presence of Goddess Madris. From her location dozens of feet behind her friend and prince, Simra watched. The red gold of Goddess Madris’s eyes was vibrant and displayed with wisdom and sage.
The Goddess seemed to reach forwards and grab something. A notification, Simra thought. Before the Goddess manipulated it and turned back to the young man in front of her.
“Ugh, you’ve spent 16 years being taught the ins and outs of the system. I won’t have you wasting my time by astral traveling to learn with all the other noobs. I’ve waited 16 years for you to develop and I won't have main body complaining in my ear if I mess this up.
I am Madris – The Sage. Or the third and newest incarnation of Madris.”
A smile tugged on the corners of Simra’s lips. The flow of tears halting. That’s so like Law to do something like that. Even in the presence of our Goddess.
“Have I shocked you with speech? To busy double thinking,” the Goddess seemed to tease Law. This brought out the full smile on Simra’s face.
“I don’t like those scars on your body. No Chosen of mine will look this way. You may only keep one. Choose quickly or I’ll choose for you,” Goddess Madris seemed to pout.
“Th-this one,” Law said with slight hesitation. Raising his hand for the Goddess to see. Golden light quickly descended upon his body as he continued to speak. Seemingly in a daze as he next spoke.
“I-Wh- I mean… you’re not… this is…”
It was clear to Simra someone hadn’t paid too much attention when going to church. As the tales of the youngest incarnation of Goddess Madris had spread far and wide.
“Oh please, you act like you haven’t heard of the three faces of Madris.
The Challenger.
The Lavish.
The Sage.”
Her voice was amazingly pleasant. To Simra it was like hearing a member of her family speak. Perhaps her mother or an older sister if she had one. A small chuckle escaped Simra’s lips as her Goddess turned to Law with an expectant eye. Anyone who knew Law personally knew he stayed away from the church and the teachings of Goddess Madris. Simra just thought it was a weird quirk of growing up as the Chosen One. She couldn’t imagine hearing about it every single day.
Goddess Madris clapped, and an opaque dome spread around the group. Slightly hiding the weapon bears, Goddess, Madris, and the Royal Family. Several moments passed and figures moved around the barrier. Powerful divinity radiated from the barrier and Simra felt and saw herself gaining several levels of worldly experience.
The opaque dome became translucent as Goddess Madris and her weapon bearers grew larger. The grass of the dome shone gold in a 3-meter radius. Sanctified by Goddess Madris's divinity. The Goddess held her hand out, palm open as Princess Carina stepped forward handing The Tome of Life and Death to her Goddess. When She next spoke, it was in song and the sound around Simra returned. As the people wept through the beauty of it all.
“A Chosen.
A Child.
A… Hero.
One of my blood.
One of my thoughts.
Magi, yet human.
Human, yet mortal.
Mortal, but divine.
I blesseth thee with my favor.
My Chosen.
My Child.
My… Hero.
A Quest.
A Journey.
A… Crusade.
Eons have passed.
Elrunians fallen.
Pantheons decayed and broken.
A Challenger,
Of Lavish,
And Sage.
My Chosen,
My Child,
My Hero.
Unite the continent under the banner of Edryan.
Your Quest.
Your Journey.
Your… Crusade.”
A shudder ran through the people and Simra herself. A conviction in their hearts and souls. Goddess Madris gazed down upon Law before taking a single step forward. The air escaped Simra’s lungs and all of reality strained. The power and divinity of the Goddess bathing the surroundings in full force. Several levels were gifted to Simra once again.
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Just a single step.
A single step and reality warped and shifted. Threatening to tear open at the seams. Space seemed to bend around their Goddess and that space set out ripples. Simra watched the people around her seem to curve and bend yet as a wave passed their physical bodies remained fine.
The congregation turned ecstatic. Simra knew it was from the host of levels granted to every single person within the area. She prayed to Goddess Madris and thanked her for her blessing and gift as those around her did.
Goddess Madris leaned forwards and planted a gentle kiss upon Law’s forehead.
A gentle pat landed on Queen Titiana’s head before with a turn her red-gold eyes met Simra’s blues as she winked and disappeared. Leaving a stunned young woman and one young man behind.
The young man was the first to recover out of the crowd of thousands. The entire campus had congregated into one location. With those first years finally making it to complete the circle. Some began to stand, and others used their powers to rise as if to follow their Goddess into the Promised Land. Forty thousand pairs of eyes landed on that young man including Simra’s own.
A speech that was to be remembered for eons was given.
A speech that resonated with Simra herself.
A speech of a young man…
Born to be King.
-Present
The events of over a month ago still held major weight in Simra’s mind. The ensuing discussions with Karla made it even more prominent.
“Are you still thinking about the descent of our Goddess,” the raven-haired girl asked.
A sigh escaped Simra’s lips as she answered truthfully. “Yes… it's just that I’m positive I heard Goddess Madris say those things and act that way.”
Karla rolled her eyes at her before speaking. “Yeah, and the rest of us with close to 40 thousand accounts are a bunch of hogwash. Perhaps the elation did something to your mind during the descent. I know it did mine.”
Simra let out a heavy sigh once again and gently placed a ladybug that crawled too close to her face in the soft grass next to her. The girls were in one of the many second-year parks on the campus enjoying the spring weather as relaxing in general. It was rare these days that the two had a chance together like this. Simra’s schedule and free time are mainly occupied by Sword Saint Aurora and her other pupils. Their schedules grew increasingly incompatible as the days moved on. Their workloads growing higher and higher.
‘Status,’ Simra whispered internally. Her eyes closed as the warm sunbathe her in its light. Today was a good day. The sounds of Karla’s tinkering faded into the background. The young [Imperius Inscriber] could never stop moving in some fashion. If not her mouth, then her hands as she kept busy with simple inscriptions.
Simra Enlar – Level 8
HP: 135/135
SP: 105/105
MP: 90/90
Base Attack: 30
Base Defense: 16
HP Regen: 30HP/Hour.
SP Regen: 23SP/Hour.
MP Regen: 20MP/Hour.
Bloodline: [+]
Race: Magi-Human
Main Class:
[Imperius Combat Trainee]
Perks:
· Empty.
Power: 99
2nd Class: [LOCKED]
Core Skills: [+]
Vitality: 45
3rd Class: [LOCKED]
Racial Skills: [+]
Endurance: 35
Faith: Goddess Madris
Status Effects:
Mind: 30
Affiliation:
Imperius Academy
Equipped:
Imperius Academy Uniform
Self: 46
2nd Affiliation:
Intent: 25
Achievements: [+]
Skills: [+]
Magic Affinity:
Active Quest: -
Attribute Points: 0
Simra clenched her fist and felt the power coursing through her veins. She held large pride in herself as her class was rare. This was not a small feat of accomplishment as most commoners received common or uncommon classes. Hence the reason they were called commoners in the first place.
It's not enough. If I ever want to make something as grandiose as the Queen’s Guard my strength must be much more! I need to achieve a higher rarity class. I’ll have to do something drastic! Simra’s thoughts swirled around before she let out a soft hum as she dismissed it all. Today was to be a day of pure enjoyment and spending time with her best friend. She cracked open an eye and peered at the said friend.
Karla was busy with her (Inscribers Pen) slowly carving into the small medallion-looking object in her lap. Her straight black hair was tied into a bun, yet a few loose strands fell by her forehead. A few moments passed by before Karla let out a breath of relief. Mana drained from her and into the medallion. The runes inscribe let out a soft blue glow as they were activated. The process and outcome Karla was going for was complete.
“Here you go!”
Karla passed the medallion to Simra with a smile on her face. “It’s not as good as what Selene can do, since I don’t specialize in wards but… it’ll save your life in a time of need!”
Simra sat up and took the medallion from Karla studying the piece carved with a few runes. She studied the rune formations but after a while came up blank. Although she was familiar with the 72 base runes it was in a manner related to spell work. Not in the way runes were joined together to make wards and other objects for protection.
“What is it,” Simra asked after a while of fiddling. The waiting smirk on Karla’s face finally revealed itself. The young woman waited for the question to be asked.
“Slap it on your chest and pour your mana into it. It's something that’s going to be useful no matter where you are. Although your mobility might be lowered a bit. Ah well, as long as it saves your life. Actually, I think it would be better if you didn’t need it but knowing you, you’re not one to run away from a fight,” Karla said. A fond smile on her face as she reminisces about their childhood. Simra was never one who shied away from a fight. Even in their youth.
Simra stood and brushed off her skirt before following Karla’s advice. She placed the device on her chest a slight blush on her face as the medallion sank an inch down. She relaxed and felt for her mana. Her crystal heartbeat in anticipation as her excitement grew. The flow of mana escaped from her fingertips and into the medallion which greedily drank it in.
HP: 135/135
SP: 105/105
MP: 45/90
Simra raised her eyebrows as her mana decreased in her HUD finally stopping once she reached half. The device on her bosom held warmth and shine with a faint blue radiance. A connection between her and it formed as it was bonded with her mana. With a thought, she let go and activated the device. The effect was immediate, taking less than a second. Simra gasped as the ground underneath her shifted and rose to encompass her. The dirt and stone hardened into a brown sheen. Fitting all her curves almost as a second skin. The armor was smooth and held a slight sheen to it with the only point of roughness being the inscribed medallion at the center of her chest. Simra took a look at her status and her eyebrows once again shot up as her Base Defense now held a brown (+16) next to it. The armament spot in her status filled with its first name. [Simra’s Protection].
As the item was now bound and Simra had yet to get one of the Examine skills, she pulled up the contents of its tooltip. Everything was revealed to her as the owner of the item.
Simra’s Protection
Type: Item – Armor
Rank: Uncommon
Charge: Full – 100/100
Standing: Equipped and bonded to Simra Enlar.
Description:
Simra’s Protection is a gift dedicated to the protection of said owner. Through the course of several weeks, it was carved by Karla – The Gossip in hopes of protecting her best friend.
A small but bright smile made its way onto Simra’s face as she read along. Moisture grew in her eyes, and she turned and hugged her friend. Being careful to not crush her against the armor.
“Thank you, Karla,” she said with as much sincerity as she could muster. The shorter girl squeezed her back closely holding on.
After a while the girls let go and Simra released the command on the medallion. The dirt fell away slowly piling on the ground.
“Once I can make a stronger one, I’ll make sure you get it!”
“This is fine I really appreciate it!”
“You’re going to need it anyway; I can’t believe you said no to Lorde! Hopefully, this will offer you extra protection when you spar!”
Simra rolled her eyes as the two sat on the blanket once again. Karla reached into her spatial bag and began producing various food items. A look of expectant gossip in her eyes.
“Ok maybe you didn’t say no to him but in your own words ‘I’m sorry…, I cannot focus on a relationship with my current goals. I like you too but-’,” Karla mocked in Simra’s voice only to be cut off.
Simra hurriedly covered Karla’s mouth. Spilling some of the freshly poured juice in the process. A twinkle sparked in her best friend's eyes while Simra pleaded in her own. Their gazes seemed to come to some agreement as Karla rolled her eyes and Simra let go. Her cheeks are blazing hot, and her hands instantly covered her face.
Karla didn’t finish the words of Simra, but she didn’t stop teasing her either. “You like Law as well, Madris’s Grace, who doesn’t. With his chocolate brown skin and piercing red-gold eyes. His body is amazing, Madris’s Grace, what I would do to h-”
Karla’s words were once again cut off. This was a second-year park, and they weren’t the only people present.
“Please just spare me this once,” Simra pleaded. Her blue eyes begged into Karla’s dark eyes.
“Ugh fine, but only if you tell me the real reason why you rejected Lorde,” Karla said with a pout. It’s been over four months and Karla still couldn’t get Simra to spill the beans. A task that ate at her and her title to no end! Karla knew she was on the verge of a breakthrough and promoting her title to the next level.
Simra swiftly snatched up a glass of juice and slowly nursed it. Turning from Karla and giving her a side-eye look that said, ‘I don’t know what you’re talking about.’
“Oh, come on, I’ve known you since we were three! Did you think I didn’t realize?”
The sweet liquid held a slight tang to it that sent a shiver down Simra’s spine. This was something she kept close to her chest and didn’t tell Karla about. Yet it was like a weight that was dragging then snapping at her heels. Madris’s Grace, I miss my mom. She’d know what to do.
“…I don’t match up,” Simra’s voice came out in a small whisper.
One that Karla heard clearly as she paid attention to her friend while she snacked. The put the food down as her head tilted to the side. Her black skin glistened with slight perspiration from the noon sun. She moved in front of Simra and gently pulled the girl's hands into her own. Waiting until Simra raised her head and met her eyes.
“Explain,” her gaze was serious and lacked the playful tone and air it held before.
“Look at me Karla, I’m in over my head. I have a close friendship with the Crown Prince, a divine being sent by Goddess Madris to guide us! Lorde Drumian, of the DRU-MI-AN family, Spell-Swords of Edryan, is trying to court me!
Who am I? Who am I to hold such favor?
Nothing but a commoner in over her head!
You hear their whispers and see their gazes. They speak of you too! Calling us clowns and performers trying to reach above their station. ‘A commoner even in the garbs of a noble is still a commoner!’,” Simra mocked.
“Of the top 1000 students and top ten classes, there are only 165 commoners within. Of the ten thousand admitted yearly commoners occupy 10,000-6,000 as the majority.
I don’t belong here!”
Her face was hot, and tears threatened the corner of her eyes. Simra didn’t know where it came from, but it felt amazing to finally get those emotions off her chest. The brimming tears finally slipped over the edge.
Karla gazed her up and down and gave a light sniff. “Ah, the Red Army is marching from the shores of your belly.”
Simra gave a small smile and nodded in confirmation before Karla continued.
“Who are you?”
The young woman asked a simple question, but one question spread to all things.
“A daughter, a sister, a warrior, a scholar of the weapon arts, a fierce woman who is almost as smart as me, a best friend, a stellar example, and a woman who has proven herself above ten thousand others.
Even an ant can hurt an Elephant,” Karla quoted her Goddess as she continued.
“Over a million competed for your spot. That is a third of the capital's population. A third! We are the cream of the cream of the crop as we beat 10,000 others for our position,” Karla’s voice grew stronger in conjunction with Simra’s resolve.
“You are amongst the most talented and strongest students of Imperius Academy. Friends with the Crown Prince himself and favor sought after by Lorde Drumian who is regarded as a second coming of Liana Drumian – The Queen’s Guardswoman.
Who are you?”
Karla asked her friend. Her dark iris pierced deep into Simra’s blue.
Time seemed to pause at this moment. The tears dried up and the gentle wind paused in its spread. Who are you?The question echoed through her mind. Bouncing around her head as she sought the answer. Firmly looking at her best friend as she found it.
“I am Simra Enlar – Light of the End.”
EPISODE 30: Light of the End