----------------------------------------
Jace walked over to the elevator and entered. Several buttons greeted him.
Jace + Shhiv
Priam + Quinn
Greg + Missy
Recreation
Undesignated
Undesignated
Undesignated
Entry Hall
“I share a floor with Shhiv?”
“Yup! You have your apartment, she has hers. Priam and Quinn have the same on the floor below. Greg and Missy asked that their apartments be combined into a single, huge one. Recreation is dominated by a workout area and a large, three-dimensional watery cube – Shhiv’s request. Then you have several undesignated floors that await your allocation. If you want, you can spend Stardust to add floors.”
Jace nodded and pushed the button for Priam’s floor. The elevator rose quickly, and he exited the conveyance and entered an austere, grey hallway. Walking to the center, he put Priam’s hand to the door panel, and it slid open.
“Bloopa went ahead and customized the rooms for him,” Ollie stated.
Jace nodded as he took in the space. The center, entry room looked like a homey study he’d seen in ancient picture books at the orphanage with a big, white-haired, red-suited man. There were wooden bookshelves that were filled with various tomes. A large, stone fireplace with a crackling fire, and a large, leather chair with a footrest and a light over the back.
Going into the bedroom, he saw that it was a nighttime desert with a single, circular bed almost like a pet’s bed at the center. Jace set Priam down. “Bloopa will fill him in, right?”
“I am updating her now,” Ollie replied.
“Good.” Jace left and went back to the elevator. “Downstairs first. I need to clear out my bag.” He walked back out to the street and made a beeline for the Star Market.
The world warped and he walked into the shop. The same red-skinned and horned man was at the counter. “Ah, a customer. How can I help you?”
“Is Quinn working today?”
“No, she is not in Khrox.”
“Right. Well, she and I have a discount thing set up.”
The red-skinned horned man raised an eyebrow, “Ah, you must be Flicker. This will be your once in a month visit to take advantage of the 25% discount and increase. We are aware of your deal with her.” The last word was filled with a sense of disgust or disappointment, but Jace didn’t care too much to read into the inner intricacies of the Star Council’s opinions of their Signers.
He put his Venture Pack on the counter and began pulling items out. First, was the chest. “I need this cracked open.”
The man nodded and produced a series of lockpicks, “Magic world with a medieval flare, eh? Any traps?”
Jace touched it with his Anathema Arm and willed any magic on it to fade, “Not of the magic variety.”
“Two minutes,” the man said as he gestured to the couches.
Jace shook his head and moved down the counter, “I’ve got a lot to sell.” He began pulling out everything from the Archmage’s tower in one large pile and put the Omnitech prosthetic repair module on the far end of the counter.
The man got the lock opened and opened the chest, “Oh. Hmm. You…uhm.” He slid it over to Jace, and he blushed. Inside of the chest was a very revealing set of lingerie.
Ollie looked down and snickered, “Those…ahem. They are a special type of (Equipment) that…well…’enhance’ the experience of lovemaking.”
Jace pulled the clothes out of the chest and put them into the pack. Something for Shhiv then. He gestured to the chest, “Is this worth anything?”
“Not really. But I’ll do 5 Stardust for it.”
“Done. What about all this stuff? And I need to get the charges reset on the Omnitech repair thing.”
“Give me a few minutes to calculate and interface with The Cosmic System.”
Jace walked over to the couch and sat down as the man went over each item and began making tallies on a floating pad. Jace leaned back and closed his eyes for a moment, tapping his foot to keep awake.
Ollie nudged him, and Jace looked sideways at the Wayfinder, “What’s up?”
“You have a Class Expansion. It is a risky one, as you know that primary Wrath’s Embrace Skill shuts off your ability to feel pain.”
“Right, well, I just need a (Skill Evolution) that will let me use Dark Matter Mending while I’m under that Skill’s effect.”
“Alright…I just do not want you to fall to a rage-bringing Class. I have heard of Berserkers, Barbarians, Battleragers, and more that rely on anger to bring forth their full potency.”
“I understand. I am cool-headed. You’ve seen that.” Or at least, I like to think I'm an iced-out operator.
“True. Sorry, just…when you have access to so much data in The Cosmic System, you assume the worst.”
“Hey, I’m ready up here,” the man behind the counter said. Jace stood up and walked forward. “All of this stuff, minus the restock fee for your Omnitech prosthetic repair module…and the 25% additional Stardust fee slash discount…you’re getting 30,380 Stardust.”
Jace’s eyes almost bulged from the sockets. “That’s a…wow. Quite a bit.”
“Well, you do have a ton of Uncommon and Rare quality (Equipment) here. Not to mention those potions that are curatives for all manner of ills. And even an undeath elixir?” he grabbed a thin, white-stoppered vial. “This can turn someone into a lich on its own. That’s where most of the value is coming from.”
Jace looked at Ollie, “Is any of it really of use to us?”
“Nope. Take the Stardust. We can use it to buy Boons directly from certain vendors. We will take the deal!” Ollie said to the sales representative.
“Certainly.” The man held up his hand with the Cosmic Power symbol, and Ollie tapped it with his paw. He then slid Jace the prosthetic repair box, “It’s topped up to three charges.”
“Thanks,” Jace said as he gave a small wave and left the Star Market. Walking back to his building, the world warped, and he got inside with little issue. Going up the elevator, he arrived at his floor.
“We have 31,110 Stardust,” Ollie said as he floated along next to Jace and tapped the panel to open the door. “Quite a bit. Enough to buy two Legendary (Equipment) Boons from a few vendors.”
“I think we are set on that,” Jace replied as he entered his apartment and went straight to the bathroom, tossing his pack into the corner. He stripped down and got into the hygiene station, tapped the icon, and felt the wonderful instant-cleanliness. Stepping out he walked over to the mirror and really took a look at himself once more. His eyes were draconic and shimmered with the purple hue…but there was a deep crimson within the mix. Huh. Interesting.
“You…may notice that you get angrier, faster, since you chose
Jace shrugged, “Not a huge deal. Again, I’m pretty calm.” He laid down on the bed and closed his eyes. “Talk to you tomorrow…or whenever I wake up,” he said softly as he got under the covers and drifted off to sleep.
----------------------------------------
Priam woke with a start, and Bloopa appeared. “Ow, my head,” he said as his eyes went wide. “Why am I in a desert?”
Ah. You passed out after striking the final blow against the Archmage Ascendant. Good job. Jace got you back home. Welcome to your apartment.
“My…my apartment?” Priam felt something heavy on his right arm, and looking down recalled the memory of the intense pain before passing out. “What happened to my arm?”
Do not panic! Jace had to cut it off or else the necrosis would have spread and killed you. He took you to a wonderful doctor. Just do not mess with it, and it will grow back in 36 hours.”
Priam felt tears on his face and wiped them away. “At least…it will be me, right?”
Yes. Your soul energy coefficient will not be lowered as it is your organic body – simply regrown through a Skill and science.
Priam let out a sigh of relief. “What else is going on?”
Jace is sleeping upstairs in his apartment. His partner, Shhiv, is also up there but in her own abode. Quinn has an apartment opposite your own. Below are Greg and Missy who are to-be-married soon.
“Okay, but I meant more like what happened after the Archmage thing?”
Ah. Jace retreated to his tower and looted the place. You both were rescued by the Pulsar Coalition from the Aspirants seeking your destruction. The native species is being processed at The Cosmic Corridor and are returning home.
Priam nodded, “I want to see the rest of my place.” He stood up and walked through the sandy desert – noting with satisfaction that there was an odd, horizontal tile that – when passed over, instantly cleared his fur of any sand or debris from the bedroom. He walked into the bathroom – an austere, calm, desert cave – and used the hygiene station.
Lastly, he walked into the main room and felt his heart skip a beat. It’s just like dad’s study, he thought. Spotting the large, leather chair, he walked over and put a hand on the armrest. This is where he’d sit. He pulled the footstool over and sat on it, resting his head on the edge of the armrest like he did when his dad told him stories.
You can sit in it, you know. It is your apartment.
“Just…let me have my moment,” Priam replied softly. Several minutes passed, and Priam reaffirmed his decision to join the Dark Between Stars and ally with Jace. I’ll get to Tier 10. I’ll revive you, dad. And then Williard.
Would you like to level up? Jace Seren has sent you 10,000 Stardust from his sales of various items he found in the Archmage’s tower, and the fallen tower in the desert.
“Oh yeah! I have those scrolls and the other light stuff in my pack.”
I have taken stock of those supplies. Most of them are relics without any true magical potential. I would advise selling them – or, if you want to curry favor with a faction, donating them to the Star Council’s keeper of records would definitely make an impact.
“They belong in an archive,” Priam stated. “I’ll ferry them over when my arm is back. Sure, let’s level up.”
You have 11,900 Stardust. Each level from 51 – 75 costs 1,500 Stardust to acquire. He has also gifted you a Legendary (Variable) Boon.
Cool! A legendary Boon. I’ll use that later. “Seven levels?”
Affirmative.
“Right. Well, let’s finish off Priest’s Smite at (Rank 10), and then 6 Ranks into that Energy Cost Reduction.” Also, Priest’s Benediction (Rank 13) [Enduring], he thought as he focused on himself. The Skill activated, and he felt the strengthening effect take hold as his vision became crisper, his hearing became better, and all of his senses were amplified.
<<<<<>>>>>
Name: Priam Westerfold (Aspirant, Tier 3)
Power [Class Level]: Pulsar [Priest 57]
A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.
Skills: Skill Name (Rank) [Evolutions]: Pulsar Ward (Rank 20) [Multi-Target], Pulsar Physic (Rank 10) [Contingent], Priest's Benediction (Rank 13) [Enduring], Priest's Smite (Rank 10) [Marking], Energy Cost Reduction (Rank 6)
Stardust: 1,400
Equipment: (Light) Archpriest Vestments, (Conservation) Priest tome, (Insightful) Dad's Hat, (Light) Venture Pack, enhanced canteen, survival meals (x5)
Boons: Common (Information), Legendary (Variable)
<<<<<>>>>>
Priest’s Smite (Rank 10) - As Rank 9, but increases damage inflicted.
Energy Cost Reduction (Rank 6) - Any Skill the user uses has its energy cost reduced by 30%
<<<<<>>>>>
Priam nodded with satisfaction, “Good. A lot more Skill uses, especially combined with my (Conservation) Priest tome.”
You may wish to consider using that Legendary (Variable) Boon on a new tome. The Conservation (Augmentation) will carry over.
“Will it amplify my Priest Skills still?”
It will.
“Let’s use it as (Equipment), then.”
<<<<<>>>>>
[Using Boon: Legendary (Equipment).]
[Manifesting.]
<<<<<>>>>>
The tome on his waist vanished and was replaced by a smooth, metal cylinder. Picking it up, he saw a small clip on the top. Pressing it, he pulled out a furled sheet of paper from the container. “What is it?”
It is called a Soul Warden Writ. You will be able to see a person's soul energy coefficient above their head. Additionally, you gain access to the Soul Restoration Skill. This will allow you to give a creature a higher soul energy coefficient, raising it by 5%. This Skill cannot be used more than once per week per target.
“I could make Jace’s soul energy better?”
Or your own. Increase your own to 155%.
“That is good,” Priam muttered. “Let’s use it on myself. Soul Restoration.” He saw the scroll emit a glowing, white light that suffused his hand and felt quite warm. Putting the scroll back in the tube and capping it, he got up into the large, leather chair and stared into the crackling flames. “Thank you, Bloopa.”
You are welcome.
----------------------------------------
Jace rolled out of bed and yawned. Ollie popped into place and waved, “Morning sleepyhead!”
“Is it morning?” he asked as he rubbed his eyes, walked to the restroom, and used the hygiene station.
“It is.”
“And you sent Priam his split?”
“Mostly. I kept a bit more in reserve for you.”
Jace shrugged, “No harm in that. What about the Boons?”
“He’s got his Legendary, as does Greg, and Shhiv. She wanted to see if you’d be willing to go to lunch today at the same eatery you went to before. She will be finishing up her night shift.”
Jace grinned, “Yeah. Of course.” He walked into the main room and got dressed. “Let’s use the Artifact (Equipment) Boon.”
Ollie fist pumped, “Yes! I have always wanted to see it used. What piece of you are you replacing?”
“My whole body,” Jace said with a chuckle.
“You…you cannot be serious.” His face was scrunched up and he had the harshest look of disappointment Jace had ever seen on a person.
Jace laughed aloud, “You should see your face! Of course I’m not serious.” He calmed down a bit but burst out laughing again, putting a hand on the wall to steady himself as he struggled to breathe. “Your face looked like a beat-up stuffed animal.”
Ollie let out a huff and crossed his arms, floating in place. “It is not nice to laugh at another’s expense. I was scared there for a moment that you were serious! Replacing your whole body would not be enjoyable for you, or me!”
Jace wiped the tear from his eye, “Sorry. Sorry. You’re right. Okay. I’ve got Legendary rarity legs and both arms. The rest of my gear is lower rarity.” He looked down at the sword – only the hilt visible on the belt. “Artifact up my sword.”
<<<<<>>>>>
[Using Boon: Artifact (Equipment).]
[Manifesting.]
<<<<<>>>>>
The blade hilt that was once a deep purple shifted and became a vibrant, sky-blue. There was a silver wrap with a golden cord that was threaded in some sections to separate out the grip into segments. The hilt was longer than his other two blades had been, meaning he could hold it with two hands if he wanted to.
Drawing the sword, the blade emerged from the extradimensional sheath and he could see the bright, silver weapon glowing with arcane runes that glowed a deep gold. The same sky-blue as the hilt also created swirls along the length, just like the scrollwork on his Anathema Arm – but the language was different. Less flowy and more runic.
“This is Nethaldrim. Quite literally, Blade of the Nethal in translation. Just like your Starstorm Sword, it negates the cost of weapon imbuing Skills. However, it also has the added benefit of increasing your cutting power to an insane degree. The hardest metal in existence – Starheart Steel which is a Tier 9 material – could be damaged by this weapon.”
“Does it have a once per day Skill?”
“It does. The Skill is called Hope’s Edge. Once you activate it, for 10 seconds, any damage you inflict restores energy.” He grinned and his whiskers wiggled, “We got lucky this time. We did not hit that 5% chance of not getting a once per day Skill. But, the number might be lower or even 0% since Artifact is a higher rarity.”
Jace felt giddy at hearing that. That’s been the thing holding me back. If I could restore energy in the middle of a fight, I increase my survivability by a ton! “Okay, awesome. I also have a Legendary (Variable) Boon. Let’s use that on…a Skill Evolution for Wrath’s Embrace.”
<<<<<>>>>>
[Using Boon: Legendary (Skill Evolution)]
[Applying to Skill.]
[Skill Name: Wrath’s Embrace.]
[Evolution Name: Focused.]
[Effect: While under the effects of Wrath’s Embrace, you ignore the disabling effect of other Skills.]
<<<<<>>>>>
Ollie heaved a sigh of relief, “That was one of the issues I had with this
Jace nodded, “And I’ve got how much Stardust?”
“21,110.”
Enough for 14 levels. But I want to save some Stardust in reserve for when we get to Earth – I’m going to need creds to buy stuff there. Like a jailbroken sliverscreen. “Let’s do 10 levels. That’s 15,000 Stardust, putting me at 6,110.”
“Skills to Rank up? Or new ones”
“3 into Energy Cost Reduction to finish that off at max Rank. The rest? Dump it into Wrath’s Embrace – let’s see where it takes us.”
<<<<<>>>>>
Name: Jace Seren (Aspirant, Tier 3)
Power [Class Level]: Dark Matter [Swordmage
Skills: Skill Name (Rank) [Evolutions]: Universal Translation, Environmental Adaptation, Dark Matter Blade (Rank 5) [Rending], Dark Matter Shield (Rank 3) [Reflecting], Swordmage Stance (Rank 3) [Astral Annihilator], Dark Matter Dart [Exploding] (Rank 4), Dark Matter Cloak (Rank 3) [Group], Dark Energy Mine (Rank 3) [Distant], Cosmic Infusion (Rank 10) [Innervating], Dark Energy Beam (Rank 12) [Limited Range], Dark Matter Mending (Rank 4) [Vampiric], Energy Cost Reduction (Rank 10), Wrath's Embrace (Rank 9) [Focused], Starfire Stride (1/day), Arbiter's Anathema (3/day), Shadow Nebula Smokescreen (1/day), Hope's Edge (1/day), Archmage Geomancy (1/day), Archmage Hydromancy (1/day), Archmage Pyromancy (1/day)
Stardust: 6,110
Equipment: (Returning) Nethaldrim, (Medium / Snowguard / Burnguard) Aegisleather, Ghostlight Grapnel Arm, (Thrice Judged) Anathema Arm, (Overclocked / Lightfoot) Dragonclaw Devastation Legs, (Terrifying) All-Seeing Dragon's Eyes, Mind's Eye Amulet, Thellor's Everguard, (Heavy) Venture Pack, survival meals (x3), enhanced canteen, optimized medical kit, flint bar, flashlight, Omnitech prosthetic repair module (x1 charges), (Restful) Wildercloth tent, Devilsram wool bedroll, Guardian's Loop
Boons:
<<<<<>>>>>
Energy Cost Reduction (Rank 10) - Any Skill the user uses has its energy cost reduced by 50%.
Wrath’s Embrace (Rank 3) - As Rank 2, but in addition the user's physical, sensory, and cognitive traits are amplified by x3.
Wrath’s Embrace (Rank 4) - As Rank 3, but in addition the user's attacks will be x3 as damaging.
Wrath’s Embrace (Rank 5) - As Rank 4, but in addition the user's physical, sensory, and cognitive traits are amplified by x4.
Wrath’s Embrace (Rank 6) - As Rank 5, but in addition the user's attacks will be x4 as damaging.
Wrath’s Embrace (Rank 7) - As Rank 6, but in addition the user's physical, sensory, and cognitive traits are amplified by x5.
Wrath’s Embrace (Rank 8) - As Rank 7, but in addition the user's attacks will be x5 as damaging.
Wrath’s Embrace (Rank 9) - As Rank 8, but in addition the user's physical, sensory, and cognitive traits are amplified by x6.
<<<<<>>>>>
“That’s…wow,” Jace muttered. “Imagine if I had Priam’s trait-enhancing Skill, and was using this Skill?”
“It would make you formidable,” Ollie said as he nodded sagely. “Just like Dark Energy Beam, though, the higher Rank you manifest this Skill at, the more energy intensive it will be.”
Jace nodded. “That’s levels and Boons. Time to head out to lunch?”
“You have some time left.”
“Is Priam up?”
“He is in his apartment below, and awake.”
“Then let’s go say hi. But do not invite him to lunch! That’s for me and my lady friend.”
Ollie cracked a smile and nodded as he swam around in liquid starlight, “Deal.”
----------------------------------------
“He can’t be serious,” Greg said in a whisper as he was walking with Quinn on a merchant mission.
“He was very adamant,” Darrin, his spider Wayfinder stated. “I would use the Legendary Boon on your armor. Your current gear is…not very defensive.”
“You’re the one who said I should focus on using my Stardust to level up, not buying new gear!”
“Well, you are the one who said you wanted to reach Tier 10 to find a way to bypass The Cosmic System’s restriction on age for occupants of Khrox.”
Greg looked back at the Wayfinder, “Shut it. If you talk too loudly, people will hear, and know my plan.”
Darrin nodded, “Very well. My lips – or lack thereof – are sealed.” He made a little motion with a long, spindly leg of moving it across his lips and flicking a key away.
Greg looked at Quinn in front of him. She should have been able to hear that exchange, but he knew her cybernetic components were really degraded. The surgeons in Khrox gave her one option – remove them entirely. She rejected that, and planned to use some of her Stardust, swap it for creds – which she could just do at will as a Broker, somehow – and planned to pay one of the chop-docs to implant something new she had bought from a higher tech world in The Cosmic Corridor’s markets.
“Let’s use it on armor then. Suit me up!”
<<<<<>>>>>
[Using Boon: Legendary (Equipment).]
[Manifesting.]
<<<<<>>>>>
His clothes were replaced with an immaculate suit of full plate that was a deep, coral blue color with sweeping silver inlay that appeared like the crashing of waves. “This is (Heavy) armor, which means that it offers the most protection but least mobility out of the three categories.”
“I’m guessing the other two are-”
“(Light) and (Medium). These designations do not apply to starting gear.”
“Figures. What does it do?”
“This is called (Heavy) Thellor's Impenetrable Bulwark. You will be able to breathe underwater and swim without any issue – traveling very, very fast in the depths. Plus, pressure won’t be an issue. Additionally, once per day you may use the Skill Thellor’s Reversal, which will return any singular attack, spell, Skill, or other form of damage suffered within the last 24 hours. It has a range of 100 feet.”
“Too bad it’s not cumulative damage taken,” Greg said with a rueful grin. “I can take a hell of a lot of punishment.”
“You can,” Darrin said. “Unlike your friend in front of you. You are coming up on the house with the eccentric purchaser inside.”
“Yeah, I know. Rich dudes with weird tastes. I’ve met them before.”