"Yes!". Excited he jumped to his feet.
"I see you have good results as well". Mera was standing close. He gave a nod, his gaze flickering briefly to her before returning to his sword.
"What about you?" It was polite to inquire, even if he only wanted to put his newly acquired skills to the test.
"A bit of success. Even Stryder has learned a new skill." Hellion nodded in response, finally looking up from his blade.
"Want to test out your skill? "What exactly did you get?" She grinned at the question, her excitement visible in her eyes.
"I got Solar Might - Solar Strike." She punched the ground before he could ask for the description. It vibrated, and flames blasted outward in a circle.
"Nice. Can I look over the description?".
"Sure". A box appeared as he shrugged.
"That is intriguing. A physical buff. Can we all do that? Let me see". He closed his eyes and imagined how he would use his given perk to boost his body in the same way Mera did.
"Hey!". Blaze called out to them. "This consumes essence. Check". He went back to being silent.
The others quickly checked their records, and their essence had decreased slightly from before. Hellion looked at his fairy, puzzled.
"Yes, your essence powérs your skills".
"Why have not you shared this?" Thorin questioned. He did not seem angry.
"That would ruin the thrill of discovery." Tirsti giggled.
"And we need to recover essence from essence orbs that we do not have." Stryder didn't look happy.
"Well, we have that one Essence Orb that we received as a reward." Mera simply shrugged. Thorin shook his head.
"Too much for a tiny drop in our essence."
"Essence Cores in Living Things." Blaze reminded them. Eyes were drawn to the fairies who giggled in midair. They had cleared most of the warnings, except for the one that said they could not regenerate essence.
"I propose we move on and find prey. If we stay here practicing our skills, our essence may deplete, leaving us vulnerable in a real fight or forcing us to use the essence orbs we possess. I believe we are keeping it for a last-minute use."
"Yes, and that may be required before or during the breakthrough. After all the information we received, we should have figured out that the essence works in this manner."
Stryder was the first to concur with Hellion. "Yes. If we needed essence orbs to get past a cap or level up then we should have suspected the essence would need regeneration".
"Well, we know now. So, what can we all do? Simply show the description. It is best that we conserve our essence until we can replenish our orbs. I will start. I increased my Solar Shield skill due to my perk requiring me to take hits and because I do not want to be killed so quickly here. I have not done much in this game, and I do not want to get kicked out." When he focused, a box appeared for them to read.
**Solar Shield**: Thorin creates a shield of solar energy around himself and nearby allies, deflecting incoming attacks and reducing damage taken. The shield also absorbs solar energy, empowering Thorin's subsequent offensive action.
"Damn. So all you have to do is get beaten a lot to empower a strike.
Thorin nodded at Mera before the box vanished and was replaced with another. "Of course, while it is good and encompasses everyone, I dislike the idea of a large shield when I need to attack." He looked sheepish for a moment. "Because of my size, I have always had to be a tank-like figure, so I usually opted for DPS roles in other games."
**Solar Shield – Solar Skin:** The Elder Titan condenses their sheid, creating a protective layer of solar energy that strengthens their skin. This shield absorbs incoming damage, reducing the amount of harm caused by both physical and magical attacks. Furthermore, the solar skin emits a subtle heat, deterring enemies from engaging in close combat due to the searing sensation on contact**.
He continued after they had all finished reading. "Of course, I needed a skill to ensure that I used such a skill effectively. Luckily..." He tapped his hammer. "...It was simple and worthwhile."
**Solar Smash**: The Elder Titan channels solar energy into their weapon or tool of choice, unleashing powerful Sunfire or solar-infused attacks on any surface struck.
**Solar Smash - Hammer Time**: The Elder Titan directs solar energy into their hammer, delivering devastating strikes that cause an external and internal shockwave upon impact, knocking back and stunning enemies while dealing significant internal and external burn damage.
"It is just like my skill, but I am definitely going for the Solar Skin." Mera showed interest.
"Why? Which one do you have?" Hellion turned to look at her. Thorin's box disappeared, and Mera's appeared.
**Solar Might**: The Elder Titan channels the sun's raw energy into her physical abilities, enhancing her power and wisdom. Channeling is permanent and ongoing as long as solar energy is available. The effect varies depending on how much solar energy is channeled**.
**Solar Might - Sun Strike**: Mera channeled the sun's power into her melee attacks, imbuing each one with intense sunfire. Each strike becomes stronger, dealing more damage to her foes, allowing the Titan to unleash devastating blows that shatter armor and crush adversaries with overwhelming force**
"That is just cheating".
"And yet with detrimental consequences." Blaze pointed out. Mera was pleased with her ability but frowned when Blaze pointed out her Solar Might's flaw.
"At least I do not have to take the same beating as Thorin. Simply dish it". She grinned.
"How does boosting your power and wisdom work?" Stryder inquired with a low voice. They turned to her. Mera scratched her chin.
"I think it made it easier to think and plan with wisdom while power just made me...well I don't really know for now. With wisdom I was able to come up with this". Fire burned off her brightly and then concentrated below her feet. Soon she was slowly floating an inch of the ground. A box appeared for us to see what it was next.
**Solar Bulwark**: Mera fortifies her body with solar energy, enhancing her physical durability and resilience. This self-protective skill grants her temporary invulnerability to enemy attacks, allowing her to withstand blows that would otherwise incapacitate her. Additionally, it boosts her endurance and stamina, enabling her to endure prolonged battles without faltering**
"You have that and still want the Solar Skin?". Thorin spat eyes wide.
"Yes. It could work well with my Sunfire Strike letting me increase the attacks I dish out".
"This keeps you safe". Blaze added.
"While the Solar Skin is just a glorified attack battery'. Hellion added with Blaze nodding.
"Plus she's floating". Stryder mumbled. "How is she floating?".
"And done". Everyone stared at her wide-eyed as she brought up another box.
"It's not the same". She pouted.
**Sunfire Skin**: Mera wraps herself in a protective layer of Sunfire, forming a skin-like shield that absorbs incoming attacks, mitigates damage by deflecting projectiles, and reduces the impact of enemy attacks. Sunfire Barrier provides her temporary invulnerability, allowing her to withstand even the most powerful attacks with ease**.
"That is just unfair," Stryder complained. "Two invulnerability abilities?" She mumbled quietly.
"Wait, Mera. The Sunfire Skin falls under Solar Bulwark right?". Hellion asked.
"No. It's separate. The skill under Bukwark is this".
**Solar Bulwark - Radiant Reflection: Mera uses the power of sunlight to coat her skin and reflect incoming attacks at her opponents. This enables her to deflect projectiles and redirect energy-based attacks, using her adversaries' strength against them**.
No one said anything. Everyone simply looked up at Mera. Blaze inhaled deeply. Stryder gave up with a sigh.
"Who's the tank now?". Thorin appeared elated.
"I'll go next. It is best to show mine now before I lose courage with how impressive all of your skills are."
**Photon Rush**: Stryder harnesses the speed of light, instantly running in any direction in a blur of solar energy. This quick movement enables her to avoid enemy attacks and reposition herself quickly on the battlefield. She can cover large distances in the blink of an eye and cross any terrain, making her difficult to catch or stop**
"That is where the Titan Leap skill originated. I am not sure what else I can accomplish with my speed. The only thing I could gain was this." An additional box appeared.
**Solar Surge**: Stryder channels the power of the sun into her limbs, giving her a burst of speed that propels her forward at incredible speed. This surge of energy makes her actions and movements difficult to track or detect**.
Blaze snorted again The Titan was clearly filled with disbelief. Thorin fake-glared at her, and Mera slapped her on the back with an excited squeal. "I'm definitely copying this too. But later". Hellion took note of every word from the skill.
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"Looks good. I would like to borrow this as well. It could work well with my sword." Everyone nodded in agreement when Hellion spoke. "Well, I will go next and leave our silent friend for last."
His skills came up and everyone chuckled at how less surprising it was. Finally came Blaze, who gave everyone a deadpan expression before four boxes appeared. It was as if he was reprimanding them for not presenting their boxes as quickly as he did.
**Solar Chain Lash**: Blaze lashes and throws out his chains, infusing them with scorching sunfire before extending them from his hands to lash out at distant enemies with precision and ferocity. These chains wrap around targets, burning them with intense heat and immobilizing them, allowing Blaze to control their movements and disrupt their actions from a distance. The chains can reach as far as Blaze can see, hear, smell, feel, or sense**.
**Solar Chain Lash - Solar Chain Strike**: Blaze unleashes his solar chains, striking a single or group of targets with pinpoint accuracy and ferocity. The scorching heat of the chains burns the targets upon impact, causing moderate damage and leaving them vulnerable to further attacks.**
**Chain Prison**: Blaze summons earth-based chains to permanently bind and imprison enemies with controlled fiery burns.
**Chain Prison - Fiery Shackles**: Blaze summons earth chains of searing fire to bind and immobilize a single enemy target, limiting movement and inflicting continuous burning damage. The chains wrap tightly around the target, preventing them from escaping or performing any actions until the effect wears off**.
"Well, with Stryder taking DPS and scouting, and Thorin taking Tank..." The male responded with a grunt. "...Hellion and I are both DPS, so it is only fair that you are our ranged and control guy," Mera smirked.
"I have got to say Blaze. Your skills are more unique than ours. You sure you're not the one with that Solar Might skill". Thorin patted his shoulder. Blaze simply eyed him, and everyone laughed.
"So, what comes next?" Stryder bounced on her toes, her eyes shifting from one to the other. "We will not know what other skills we need until we see combat, but we still need those domains."
"Well, you found a stream." Mera pointed out. "I want to see what liquid looks like in this realm."
"Eh..." She shrugged her shoulders. "It is golden and could be more lava than water.
"That I want to see. Plus, we do not have any other options if we do not go that direction." Thorin pointed out.
"Yes. A straight path to the Eye of the Sun." Stryder looked. The entire Pantheon followed and stared. The Monolith, their destination, lay far in the distance, beyond mountains that loomed up into the rust-red skies.
"That is a long trip."
"I bet Stryder can run there and back right now." Mera poked the other titaness, who smiled.
"Getting there would be meaningless without the domains, anyway." Thorin exhaled. "But I think that could be a good plan. But first, let us examine this stream to see if we require liquid or if we are not bound by these desires as Titans."
"Spoken like a true God, eh." Hellion chuckled.
"Not a god". Mera wagged her finger with a bright grin etched on her face.
"A Titan". Stryder pumped her fist up.
"Whatever that means".
"We do know what it means". Thorin smirked. "It means we are the first players of the realms. If Sol is the first realm then that puts us at the top right".
"I say we make sure to keep it". Mera made a fist.
"Hopefully it's not that hard". Hellion sighed. Everyone glared. "Red Flag?". They kept glaring. "Red Flag'. Be nodded sheepishly.
****
Ring - 9th
Realm - MURHIL
ATHENA'S POV
It was easy to ignore the storm and the rain when I barely got a cold. With my back against the tree, I tried to block out the liquid that was running into my eyes. My mind was trying to make sense of the situation.
The Primordials were the parents of elders. This effectively ranked us third in the universe. There were five of us in each realm. Making us siblings and the rest cousins or maybe half siblings according to Luciv. My mind couldn't comprehend that.
What it did understand was that I had killed my brother. It did not bother me. It was just a game. What bothered me was the parallel with my reality. Shutting my eyes, I could see the crash. Opening them, I saw the storm, which reminded me of my mother's rage when she cursed me. She was correct, after all.
When Luciv explained the ties to me, tears flowed freely, and I felt sick. In both worlds, I was a kin murderer. Even a fictitious reality could not erase such crimes.
'At least Luciv interprets it as me being overly caring and guilty. A win I guess'. Earning goodwill from NPCs was not a bad idea. Looking up at the still-storming sky, I wondered if it was lamenting the death of a force. Just like my mother. Is that why fate had marked me?
I shook my head. I reopened the notification and reviewed it. A self-deprecating laugh left me. Even fate recognized me as scum. There was a recent update that included a position for titles and achievements.
**Welcome to the Akashic Records Elder 40**.
**Name:** Athena
**Titles:** Daughter of Chaos
**Achievement:**First Blow, Discoverer of Fate
"Let us see what the Fate Records have for me."
**Welcome to the Fate Records Elder 40**
**Name:** Athena
**Titles:** Daughter of Chaos
**Achievement:**First Blow, Discoverer of Fate
**Karma Section:**
- **Karma Level:** 2
- **Karma Points:** 3000 / 3000 / 4000
- **Karma Alignment:** Chaos
**Fate Section:**
- **Fate Level:** 2
-**Fate Points:** 2500 / 2500 / 4000
- **Fate Trajectory:** Chaotic Force
- **Fate Nodes:** Killing an Elder Force in self-defense, Discovering Tri-System
**Destiny Section:**
-**Destiny Level:** 1
- **Destiny Points:** 1250 / 1250 / 2000
- **Destiny Path:** Harbinger of Change
- **Destiny Milestones:** Null
I had never felt more confused in my life. It was good in a way since the confusion kicked out the bad thoughts and memories. I was completely focused on what the fate records indicated.
Brushing around and asking Luciv questions yielded responses that both chilled me to the bone and made me laugh. The first thing was Karma, which tracked my or another player's actions and awarded points based on our alignment. Actions can be positive, neutral, or negative, as well as orderly, chaotic, or grey. Each affects a player's karma level and influences how the universe and NPCs perceive and react to us.
"So you are saying that everyone has it?"
"Yes. "The mortals obviously cannot see theirs."
"Why?". Luciv simply shrugged.
Fate was up next. It determined my life's course by shaping the narrative path based on my actions and choices.
"Basically, deciding to kill the other player".Luciv gave a nod.
My karma influenced key moments known as Fate Nodes, which would have an impact on my entire journey.
"Wait. "I do not understand."
"Uhmm". Luciv scratched her head briefly before having a eureka moment. "Think about it this way. By killing your brother you shifted order. Shook the balance. This is a Neutral Chaotic action. Defense of oneself. Point is, if you were handing out quests to mortals or receiving them your alignment would show and only chaotic folks would accept or give you quests".
"But I did not kill him for..." Luciv patted my shoulder and nodded along. I stayed silent.
"The killing was not the issue, was it?" I inquired. She gave a shake of her head.
"The order of things is set at five Elders per realm. It is how the system was designed to work. Anyone who kills someone for any reason disrupts the arrangement. What is another term for arrangement?"
"Order".
"Chaos does not always imply evil. Sometimes it is simply bringing about change."
"Bringing about change, eh?" I snorted. "Alright. Destiny then".
I frowned at the Destiny tag. "I am not a fan of being controlled."I did not like the description for Destiny at all. Luciv sighed while sitting on my head.
"Two mortal kings fight for a throne. One is fated to die and one is fated to take the throne. Does this imply that the first will never take the seat? Destiny can be fickle. Sometimes it is straight, and sometimes I believe it deviates from the path to arrive at its destination. Assume one does become king but dies later. Is he not subject to both fates?
I reached up and removed the thing from my head. "Where does all that smartness come from?" I eyed her with a smile. She rolled her eyes.
"My point is. You have the option of conforming to destiny or resisting it. It has set you on a path".
"My title and achievements".
"Walk on it".
"Or stray. Find my way." I finished. Looking at the fairy once more I then muttered the description of destiny to myself again.
"...defines my ultimate role and purpose, which stems from the interaction of karma and fate. It represents the culmination of my journey, marked by key milestones and defining traits. Determines the final influence one has on their realm".
"Harbinger of Change." My mind tried to skip back to those memories, but I quickly used emotional buffer. "Frightening and unsettling." I did desire change. It was something I could not have in reality. Something I could not possess.
"Maybe those eyes will never stop blaming me. But in this place..." I raised Luciv, and the fairy took off. "I could make my change." Part of me wanted to accept Luciv's explanation for chaos. It was not evil; it was simply a change in order. It defined me. In here or out there. She had changed her family in ways she did not want or like. Perhaps she could contribute something positive here.
"Positively Chaotic. Hehehe". I shook my head. Looking up, I noticed the storm had passed and the sky was clear. "I barely noticed. "Just as I barely do anything now."
Outside, I could not change the look my mother gave me. However, things were different here. "In this place, I am Chaos' daughter. And I can...no. I will bring change". I was not even aware I was crying until a drop hit my arm. Another fell past and to the ground.
'Enough. It is time to play and see what this new title and skill set can do for me. Standing, I stretched my back, patted my horn, and smiled brightly. The kind my mother always hated to see. So I would smile for this realm to see.
"Damn, at least I know I can activate and deactivate my Emotional Buffer skill." I focused back on the records. "Alright. I see three parts to the point system. Can you explain?".
The fairy, seeing the change in the Elder Force, landed on her hair, arms out, grabbing the horns as best she could. "Yes. Karma, Fate, and Destiny each have three denominations. The usable bar comes first, followed by the current level threshold, and then the next level threshold. Before you ask, I will explain that you can use points for two purposes. One is to influence the world around you. The final step is to affect mortals or those lower in rank."
"Wait. Affect mortals. Like, their fate, or something?"
"Yes. Affecting a mortal's fate requires power, which is determined by your level and cost points. The higher your level, the lower the cost in points and the less backlash or consequences of any changes you make. You do not have to worry about it right now. You cannot and will not have the opportunity to interact with mortals until you have completed your ascension."
"Okay? Sounds interesting, and I can see that Biased of Fate reduces the point cost by 5%, but we will talk about it later. The second part of using fate. Affects the world around me, much like my Reality Flux. What was that description?".
She found the effect and reread it. "Within a radius of 50 feet, the fabric of reality is in constant flux. This means that the physical environment can spontaneously change, with minor alterations in landscape, weather, and objects. For example, a stone may turn into sand, a calm day could suddenly become windy, or a door might relocate. What's the difference".
"That is a passive effect. Second, it is more related to your chaotic personality. It is also an excellent example of how to use fate. With it, you can create chaos in your environment. Your fate points do not change your environment; rather, they influence it. For starters, you could have set fate to trip your foe with a simple stone, more fate to mishandle his blade, and even more, fate for his blade to find a weak scale midsection." The fairy was not visible from her position on my head as I walked forward, but the tone in her voice clearly asked if I understood her point, which I did.
"That sounds like a cheat." I let out a laugh.
"Yes. Initially. But as more of the Elders unlock their fate records and gain achievements and points and levels you'll find it harder to tweak the fate around them".
I nodded. It made sense. I was ahead as the Discoverer of Fate and got some good boons from it but it didn't make me completely OP.
"Thanks for taking the time to explain Luciv. I am not sure if it is a lot, but is there any way to keep an eye on the mortal realms?"
"Now? No. After ascension. Yes". Her words motivated me. After all, I had the opportunity to improve the fortunes of a small town. "Considering a single mortal would cost a lot of points, that will take a lot of my points."
I decided what I was going to do. Earn more points before ascension to advance my level. Regulate my point use to avoid dropping too low and making it difficult to level. Gain my domain as well. I took off running with the fairy, clutching my horns to avoid being blown off. 'This is going to take some time'. My balance was perfect, and the sensation of my feet sinking into the ground and then bouncing forward sent shivers of power and excitement through me. 'I am just thankful I do not have a bloody tail'.
*
Behind them, in the soggy fields of flowers, the Force's corpse shriveled into nothing but white ash that flowed off into the wind. The only indication of its presence is a shard lying where the corpse once was. Greyish-blue energy swirled and gathered around the shard. A tiny gray plate formed gradually, resembling the surface of a liquid. It rippled, and a large, massive, yet slender arm emerged. It reached for the shard and picked it up. The hand turned the shard around as if to observe it, before pulling it back into the surface from which it came. The portal disappeared.