Ren concentrated deeply, attempting to project his thoughts, but nothing happened. Frustration flickered across his mind as he released an internal sigh. Another day, perhaps.
“So, what name did you two decide for this little munchkin?” Kara asked, cradling Ren in her arms for the first time.
Rabbit. It's a rabbit. Can I trust her? I mean, I can’t judge every rabbit because one tried to kill me… right?
“We initially considered naming him Atreus, after one of the Seven Sages,” Vritta began, glancing at her husband with a warm smile. “But after the ceremony, it didn’t feel fitting. We’ve chosen instead to name him Param.”
“Param! Param! Param!” Rakita echoed, her voice turning the name into an enthusiastic chant.
Name Registered: Param Bhairava.
Uh huh…
Vira, unable to contain his curiosity, floated over to Kara. “What beast did you bond with? Tell me! Is it a speed-type beast? Is that why you’re so fast? And what Singularity did you get?”
“Calm down, Vira! I’ll tell you everything,” Kara replied, glancing toward her aunt and uncle for permission. When they nodded, she smiled and continued, “My singularity took an unusual path—it’s a great rabbit, and its talent is nurturing potions.”
Duke Kal listened to Kara thoughtfully. “Your singularity is truly exceptional, Kara. A nurturing singularity geared toward potions is rare, even in the long history of our House of Nurturing. This could be the influence of your mother’s lineage—her singularity must have shaped yours in unknown ways. The ability to enhance and sustain potions will undoubtedly set you apart in the Aether.”
He paused, considering. “As for your beast, bonding with a lightning-affinity beast is intriguing. "I'm really curious—how has it influenced your Singularity?"
"Mom originally wanted me to bond with a morning glory flower—a plant rabbits love to eat. She explained that morning glories resonate strongly with rabbits and alchemy, often enhancing the communication and control of alchemical ingredients for greater potion efficacy. She even mentioned how bonding with it could strengthen my Singularity’s alchemical side and potentially grant my rabbit strength-related abilities, as morning glory potions are known to amplify an Arcane’s physical power.
But the idea of bonding with a flower didn’t sit right with me. I didn’t just want to excel in alchemy—I wanted to be like Dad, a hero who could face a hundred Arcane with a single spell. So, I fought hard for a rabbit beast, something that aligned with my Singularity and could grant me the strength to stand on the front lines.
Eventually, she agreed but insisted I undergo rigorous testing to ensure the beast resonated with my Singularity. After countless trials, we found it—a jackalope, a rabbit beast of the lightning lineage. It was discovered all the way in the United Federation of Arms, which is why it took me so long to get here." Kara's tone wavered between pride and determination as she recounted her journey.
“What skills and talents did you gain, then?” Vira asked, his eyes alight with fascination for the abilities a bonded beast could bestow.
Kara smiled, her excitement barely contained. “The bond granted my Singularity an incredible talent—it reduces the nurturing time for any potion by tenfold. As for the skills, I received three powerful ones. First, a movement skill called Lightning Flash, which allows me to travel at lightning speed. Second, Lightning Sense, a perception skill that heightens my awareness of my surroundings with lightning-quick precision. Lastly, a storage skill that lets me accumulate lightning mana temporarily and release it as a potent physical attack. Honestly, I couldn’t have asked for better combat skills. They’re exactly what I need.”
Duke Kal stretched his back, his eyes narrowing in thought as he dissected Kara’s newfound skills with the precision of a seasoned general. “The potential of your abilities is quite high,” he began, his tone measured but tinged with admiration. “The reduction in nurturing time for potions transforms your Singularity into a battlefield asset. In extended conflicts, you could supply allies with potent alchemical boosts faster than anyone else, turning the tide of prolonged engagements. But that’s just the foundation.”
He shifted his focus to her combat abilities. “Lightning Flash offers mobility unlike anything most warriors can match. With enough mastery, you could dominate the battlefield as a Blitzblade, a skirmisher who overwhelms enemies with speed and precise strikes. Or, if you learn to chain this skill with lightning storage, you might evolve into a Stormcaller, raining destruction as you dart across the field.”
His voice grew more intent as he discussed Lightning Sense. “This skill is crucial. Enhanced perception will let you anticipate movements, react faster than most opponents, and exploit weaknesses before they even realize their mistake. With it, you could become a Sentinel Striker, a fighter who balances speed with flawless defensive countermeasures.”
Finally, he addressed her mana storage ability. “Storing lightning mana and releasing it as a physical attack offers immense versatility. With precision, you could strike like a focused thunderbolt, ending battles in a single decisive blow. Alternatively, you could channel it into broader devastation, akin to a Tempest Warden—a warrior who dominates with relentless waves of energy.”
Stolen content alert: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.
He concluded with a smile. “Ultimately, your path depends on how you weave these abilities together. Whether you become a swift, untouchable duelist or a devastating force of nature, one thing is clear—you’re destined to stand out in any battle.”
Param slept quietly, his small body still, but his mind active as he tuned into the subtle hum of thoughts around him. His siblings’ minds were the easiest to read—familiar, open, and unguarded. Stray ideas floated into his awareness, painting a vivid picture of the world.
The universe they lived in was known as Samsara, a vast cosmos segmented into six distinct realms: Deva, Asura, Human, Demon, Wraith, and the newly risen Undead Realm. Each realm was governed by six prime spirits that formed the foundation of existence. These spirits provided every sentient being with a unique interface—a tool designed to help them grow, evolve, and thrive in an apocalyptic world.
Param’s thoughts sharpened as he unraveled the nuances of the system. Skills were the lifeblood of survival, cultivated through relentless practice, the fires of combat, the art of crafting, or the mysteries of magic. Progress wasn’t hidden; it was tracked and displayed through the interface for all to see. Yet there were shortcuts, like the Skill Stones, which could grant abilities instantly—or by defeating the corrupted terrors that haunted Samsara.
But nothing came without a cost. Param’s curiosity mingled with caution as he considered the dangers. Powerful skills weren’t for everyone. Some demanded specific physiologies, rare affinities, honed resistances, or even experiences that few could endure. The wrong ability in the wrong hands could spell disaster.
How much trial and error did it take for them to figure this out? he wondered. The whispers in his siblings’ minds hinted at ancient struggles, at countless epochs of experimentation and war. The Epochal Wars were a particularly grim chapter, a testament to the price paid to perfect Samsara’s intricate cultivation system.
Children were no exception to the cycle of preparation and adaptation. By the age of twelve, their training reached a critical point. Their bodies acclimated to the ambient mana, filtering out chaotic energies while building the resilience needed for future transformations—both genetic and magical. This wasn’t just physical preparation; it was a moral and psychological safeguard.
Param frowned slightly, his small hands curling into fists as he contemplated the weight of this knowledge. They’ve done everything to ensure we’re prepared, yet it feels like we’re just treading water, stuck in place without moving forward. Like the system is as much a leash as it is a ladder?
He caught glimpses of the reason in fragmented thoughts. Power, unchecked by moral grounding, had brought Samsara to ruin before. Long before mana had been tamed, chaos had reigned. It was a lesson ingrained in the bones of history, one that shaped everything they did.
It’s a balance, he thought, a spark of determination rising within him. A game of survival and restraint.
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Vritta gently laid Param into his crib, his tiny frame finally at peace after the day's turbulence. Duke Kal approached with the rune stones, now strung together into a delicate chain. With a careful hand, he placed the chain around Param’s neck, the stones softly hummed as they resonated with Param.
Param, exhausted from the day’s events, felt his eyelids grow heavy. Yet, curiosity tugged at him, drawing his attention to the shining red word on his interface: Calling. He had ignored it earlier, but now its presence was impossible to dismiss.
“What could it mean? Should I wait? No... it feels important. Just one look before I sleep.”
Gathering his waning energy, Param focused on the glowing word. The moment he selected it, a wave of warmth enveloped him. His body surrendered to sleep involuntarily, but his mind shifted, pulled into a new realm.
Welcome to Sindri
Param stood upon ancient ground that seemed to thrum with the echoes of eternity, as if the very soil beneath him was alive, breathing in tandem with the universe. The air was thick, not in the stifling sense but with a weight that pressed against his skin, carrying the gravity of creation itself. Every step he took felt reverent, his feet brushing against a history far beyond his comprehension.
His gaze lifted, and there it was—a tree of incomprehensible magnificence. Its trunk, impossibly vast, soared upward, piercing through the fabric of reality itself. The farther it climbed, the more it seemed to dissolve, its upper reaches blending into the shimmering cosmos. The stars wrapped around its branches like celestial fruit, whole galaxies nestled within its embrace, their light casting hues of life, death, and everything in between.
At its base, massive roots sprawled across the earth, their tendrils weaving intricate patterns into the ground. They pulsed with a vitality that was almost too much to bear, an energy so ancient and profound it felt as if the entire world exhaled in harmony with the tree. Standing there, dwarfed by its grandeur, Param felt insignificant—not just physically, but spiritually. He wasn’t simply small in comparison; he was a fleeting moment in an endless ocean of time.
Param’s chest tightened as he stared in awe. How can something like this even exist? The thought flickered through his mind, almost as if it were too fragile to be spoken aloud. His heart pounded, a mixture of wonder and an unshakable unease. The tree didn’t just stand—it was, a presence that encompassed everything.
Why am I here? he wondered, his hands trembling slightly at his sides. The sheer enormity of what lay before him made his existence feel microscopic, a grain of sand against a galaxy. And yet, he couldn’t look away.
This isn’t just a tree... It’s a cradle for existence itself.
Climb the Tree
Quest Objective: Reach for the Wells
Rewards: Quench your existential thirst with the divine waters of the Wells (Warning: May contain traces of omnipotence. Consume responsibly.)
Failure: Congratulations, you've earned an exclusive subterranean suite! Bask in the dirt and enjoy front-row seats to your competitors' glorious ascent to demi-godhood.
* Pro Tip: Avoid cosmic squirrels—they bite.
* Pro-er Tip: Lightning doesn’t care about your protagonist status.
* Ultra Pro Tip: Don’t look down.
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Accept the Quest?
[Yes] - Let’s climb this oversized salad.
[No] - Remember, while they sip divine nectar, you’ll have the honor of bonding with earthworms—true masters of humble existence.