EPISODE 93: PATIENCE
— Az’Dawn Empire, Year: 7291. Season Color Fading.
Energy, Chi, and Divinity are three lesser attributes, all with different properties that extend far into similar yet vastly different fields. Alongside Mind, each are different manifestations of the soul, expressions of understanding through different aspects of reality.
Energy is a bond between man and tools. For it cannot be harnessed through any other means. Although it may seem magical in nature, it is far from it in execution. Energy allows the soul to make less damaging changes to the fabric of reality. Through the use of tools, it transforms the body to better use its natural features. The magi-humans have tried to replicate the versatile nature it grants to warriors through the Mind attribute and a class they call [Spell-Swords] . Instead, they created something entirely new. Alas, they failed but gained a different strength instead. Energy uses extend further than just the use of weapons… the synergy it allows its user to build with the Emotional Spectrum is… boundless .
Chi is the bane of not just mages, but all who use other sources of power, including Chi users. Its greatest ability is to limit the amount of mana and energy one can harness through the body… to limit the attributes and more. Although its range of destruction is far less than that of Energy or Mind… its close combat abilities are devastating. Anyone that lands in the hand of a Chi user can be considered dead.
Divinity is a gift from the Gods. It is what allows priest to use the miraculous arts they do. To fight disease, restore limbs, and bring the recently deceased back to life. Yet, it can be just as devastating as Mind, Chi, or Energy. To smite enemies who challenge the might of their Gods and more.
— Excerpt from the School of Har-Nocs. The Great Teachers of Jhan.
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Allura Grasci Az’Dawn —Level 60
HP: 2258/2817 (+0)
SP: 1780/2430 (+0)
EP: 2420/3420 (+0)
Allura… CACKLED…, she finally managed to get solid blows on her Aunt. Around her, the molten hellscape continued to reign blows on Aunt Chine. Giant whips—thick like tree trunks—emerged from the ground, molten slag flying as they struck the area Chine was in.
Chine Redsan -643 HP.
Chine Redsan -264 HP.
Chine Redsan -464 HP.
Chine Redsan -134 HP.
Numerous notifications appeared for Allura, alerting her that her attacks were connecting. The young woman stood there, grasping the hilt of a molten colored whip as it connected itself to the ground. Through this connection, Allura summoned and raised the whip-like appendages to strike.
(Princess’s Wrath)…
Princess’s Wrath
Function:
Summon the true form of [Ambition’s Wrath] and turn the battlefield into a sudo domain that can cover the maximum range of your Intent. Base Attack increases from 100%-1000%. The strength of the strikes will vary depending on the range Princess’s Wrath reaches.
Cost:
100-1000 EP/SP activation. 100 EP/SP per minute.
…was an area of effect attack aimed at targeting large forces that could surround Allura. It was also a great single targeting attack at closer ranges. Allura chose to cast the ability at maximum range, a distance that covered nearly three hundred meters because high levelers were not to be underestimated. This became the first time Allura could truly let loose with this skill without fear of {Exhaustion}. Her normal attributes barely had her at the requirements to cast (Princess’s Wrath).
She frowned, her eyebrows twitched as she realized the damage notifications halted. A red haze covered the air, it surrounded the molten area but no further in a half-sphere. Allura halted the bombardment of attacks she subjected her Aunt too. Giant whip-like appendages halted in place. They appeared like the towering palm trees in Ruifall. The molten sand began to fill the crater slowly. Its creation was a direct result of her blows against Aunt Chine.
Allura frowned as the target she expected to be within the crater was nowhere to be seen.
“Wrath is consuming you child, perhaps we should exercise Patience ,” a voice called from far above Allura.
She hadn’t felt the moment Aunt Chine left the sphere of influence her Intent produced. Her head snapped upwards only to see a small dot far above her. Aunt Chine stood just outside the range of her Intent, just outside the range of the red haze that surrounded Allura. A golden-white armor seemed to cover her, its radiance quickly began to irritate Allura.
“COME DOWN HERE AND FIGHT ME,” she raged, a second voice, deeper, stronger, overlapped with her own. Large, molten blobs of debris were flung as Allura continued her assault. Her red armor turned into a deeper, darker shade of crimson. Two horns extended from her helm head, curved like that of a ram. [Ambition’s Wrath] began to rise until only her nose and eyes were left uncovered.
Chine Redsan frowned, Allura’s transformation showed a deep connection to Wrath. It was only a matter of moments until the young woman felt nothing but the sin.
A single pair of white wings projected from Chine Redsan’s lower back. They hovered behind her, close to her armored figure but not touching. A nearly invisible halo hovered above her head as the woman gazed down at her daughter.
Slowly, she began to move as chunks of molten sand flew its way into the air. The projectiles quickly hardened, the loss of connection to Allura’s ability cooled them rapidly. The projectiles turned into many deadly weapons upon their return to the ground, partially heating up.
Red lights streaked through the afternoon sky, falling meteors burned upon re-entry into Allura’s sphere of influence. A terrible omen to those who understood the appearance of Sins.
The city of Ruifall seemed to become alert, and Chine watched as several guards appeared in the surrounding area, Tian Ni’Raiku at their helm. A concerned frown appeared on the young man's face, but he and his guards stayed well out of the way of Allura. They would rather not trigger her any further. After all, there were standard procedures for dealing with those who lost themselves to emotion in the Az’Dawn Empire.
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Chine placed her palms, together, and she moved to a position directly over Allura. Her hands began to unclasp, but the tips of her fingers remained connected to one another. In the midst of her hands, white light shined, turning triangular as her hand finished its placement.
“(Serenity’s Expulsion),” she said.
Her words were gently, they embraced Allura like that of her mother’s hugs. The same hugs she received from Aunt Chine daily.
A pure white beam of light shot from Chine Redsan’s hands and directly onto Allura. The armor of Wrath, that surrounded and consumed her, began to vanish slowly. Similar to flower petals in the wind, flakes of [Ambition’s Wrath] fell from Allura, purifying her mind and forcing her into a state of calmness. The light from Chine’s hands didn’t pause on Allura, but continued to disperse the red haze in the air and solidify the molten ground.
The sparring match… was over.
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Wet hair clung to Allura’s face and cold water washed over her body as the traces of the fight washed away. The young woman calmly floated in the large bath. Finely carved walls inlaid with gold showed depictions of fairies dancing and a bright, luscious scenery. The bathhouse held an open ceiling and the hot sun beat down as Allura floated there. Her body bare as the day she was born into the world. A few feet away, calmly washing herself, was Aunt Chine. The older woman returned to her normal, calm state that Allura knew since her youth.
“When did it begin to consume me,” Allura voiced aloud. It was a partial question to herself and part to her Aunt.
“Sins, especially that aligned to anger, are far more insidious than they appear on the surface. An irritation here or there. A slight and many other incidents can add up until Wrath consumes you. Wrath is not just an emotional outburst of anger. It can be a calm, cold, calculous fury,” Her aunt began.
“We each express our emotions in different mannerisms. You must come to understand how you now express Wrath. It is clear because you have learned to control your anger, the sin finds other avenues of outlet.”
Allura sighed and gently lapped the cold, pleasant water onto her sides. Her athletic body found balance between the heat and cold as the hot weather of Az’Dawn made itself known. Their spar occurred just hours ago and since, Allura overviewed everything that happened during the fight.
What she could improve upon, her strengths, and weaknesses.
“You’re right, anger is no longer the raging, burning flame it was once inside of me. It is much more insidious, but the Sin of Wrath and the power it supplies me is… phenomenal,” she ended.
She reached a hand up toward the evening sky. The sun was setting, which allowed the sky to display beautiful shades of reds, oranges, and more. The domains of the Gods began to emerge in the night sky. None where stationed above the Empire of Az’Dawn.
“The strength…, is that how you always feel? Is that how it feels to be a high leveler?”
Aunt Chine smiled and gazed lovingly at Allura for several moments before glancing away. “Yes, but the sacrifices you must make to continue gaining strength… strength comes with a price, and to hold such strength like you did is solely because of the grade of your classes.
You’ve gained far more attributes than the average person may, as a princess… thus, your strength increase under the Sin of Wrath represents that.”
Allura gently bobbed her head up and down. She held far more attributes than the common warrior of Az’Dawn would use. Not to mention, she held a weapon that was specifically crafted to take advantage of the sin.
The two women turned their head as one of the maids who followed them on the trip announced themselves. She quietly moved to the side and waited for acknowledgement. Allura let out a grunt of displeasure, bathing was a time she didn’t enjoy being disturbed. She waved a hand and allowed the woman to speak.
“Princess Allura, Lady Chine, Lord Tian calls for you both. He has stated important news concerning the Edryan border has been announced.”
Allura’s eyes lit with excitement, and she quickly stood, accompanied by her aunt. This… was what she had been waiting for. This time, she wouldn’t let that brat have his way in any conversation between the two of them.
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Tian Ni’Raiku paced back and forth, the young lord of Ruifall, eyebrows creased as he read the report in his hands.
A knock came from the door that paused Tian in his steps. “Enter.”
A servant entered, head bowed, as they delivered the news. “Princess Allura and Lady Chine are waiting in the parlor, Young Lord. Your sister is keeping them company.”
Tian nodded and waved the servant away. The moment the door closed, he groaned. His elder sister was not happy Tian allowed Allura to use the [Pool of Reflection]. Her unhappiness grew even worse once she realized the pool was drained of its charge and would remain that way for ten years or so. A small amount of time to them as their lifespan extended to a few hundred years with the help of Vitality. Tian recalled her words and the berating he received after.
“Bastard, you allowed her to drain the pool of its charge…? How should I puni-“
He sighed, checked himself over in the mirror before leaving his office. His shoulders and posture was upright as he did not let the weight of responsibility drag him down. He was the lord of Ruifall and the surrounding territory, his father, and mother passed several years ago and his elder sister refused to take the position. It was either him, or to hand the power over to a branch family of the Ni’Raiku, an impossible choice.
Ensuring trade continued to pass the border between Az’Dawn and the Edryan Queendom was no simple task.
Tian's eyes lit as he entered the parlor—standing off to the side casually chatting was his sister and the Redsan women. As he entered, Allura turned and Tian’s heart skipped a beat.
‘ Beautiful. ’
Princess Allura Az’Dawn was beautiful. Kind eyes met those of Allura’s and a gentle smile graced Tian’s face. His heart thumped as Allura’s eyes brightened when they met his own, and she returned the smile.
“Ahh, my dearest brother has arrived,” the voice of his sister began.
“Thank you for entertaining our guest, Ruu’ana. Greetings Princess Allura and Lady Chine,” Tian interrupted before Ruu’ana could continue. As he did so, he gave a slight bow to the princess. His eyes never leaving her own.
“It is good to see you Tian, there is no need for titles between us,” Allura responded as Tian joined their small gathering.
“Allow me to be the bearer of good news for you and bad news for me.” Ruu’ana rolled her eyes. She was still crossed with him, it seems, and Tian groaned internally.
At the mention of good news, Allura’s eyes sparkled. There was only one thing that would be considered good news to her.
“The Edryan’s have reopened their borders. It seems they were in the process of rolling out a new system for trade internally, besides the unrest with the members of the Spatial Convocation. All foreign merchants must now use a different system than the one before.”
“Then the caravan will set off by the morrow,” Chine said.
“…and the bad news for you,” Allura questioned.
“A small jests of mine, the bad news is I will no longer get to spend time with my fiancé as she leaves. Hopefully, upon her return, she can spend a week or two more in Ruifall. This time, I promise the accommodations shall meet your standards.”
Allura’s eyes turned to crescents as a hint of a smile graced her face. A small chuckle escaped her lips as she placed a hand to cover her mouth. Before she could respond to his flirting, Tian’s sister spoke.
“I do hope the Redsans no longer delay in debating over the dowery, especially now that Tian has given Princess Allura such a gracious gift and opportunity to advance her understanding of Sin,” Ruu’ana interrupted. Her eyes met the crescents of Chine Redsan.
The air became thick with tension, and Tian mentally groaned. He received the chance to gently break the tension as Chine answered. “Princess Allura and the Redsan’s are sincere in creating this union between our families. We intended to officiate the process upon the return from the Edryan Queendom.”
Allura’s eyebrows twitched. This was the first she was hearing about this, but then again, her Aunt did her best to shield her away from the politics of the Redsan family. The young woman quickly reclaimed herself and spoke to Ruu’ana.
“Regardless of what Tian has done for me before our marriage is officiated, I’ve never intended to take advantage of his Kindness. Tian holds a special place in my heart and I have long since I agreed to marry him. Have little fear, Lady Ruu’ana…”
‘…I will marry Tian if I can escape Edryan alive,” Allura left the thought unsaid.
The [Caravan of Death] would be setting off tomorrow. The gift Tian gave her was difficult to be valued in terms of physical wealth, as her strength significantly increased in a short period. If before, Allura held a five percent certainty she could escape Edryan alive if things went south and no trade could be conducted… now she held a ten percent chance of being able to escape from the tiger's den.
Her words seemed to placate Ruu’ana as she returned a pleasant smile. “That is wonderful, Princess. The bond our clans forge can further strengthen your chances for the throne. His Royal Highness term is nearly over and the fight for the throne shall begin.”
Allura didn’t respond with words, but with a smile that didn’t reach her eyes. Before she could respond, Aunt Chine gently locked arms with Ruu’ana. “Perhaps this will be a great opportunity to discuss how our families can greater join strength. Our [Heavenly Father] is still spry with over thirty years left in his term…”
The two women continued to chat as they began to leave Allura and Tian alone. The former turned to the Lord of Ruifall and smiled. This time it reached her eyes.