[Workshops]
A thud resounded as Levi and Void dropped to the bottom of the elevator shaft.
"Didn't think you'd have to take so many loopholes for the workshop." Levi dusted himself off and walked to the door.
Void flashed his token and continued descending the stairs. Albeit this time, the factions weren't here to hinder his movements. The Consensus had ensured that all their people were accounted for.
"You should've seen the first time I came. Practically played hide and seek with those bastards." Void messaged the Daito workshop about his arrival, ready to collect the armor.
Levi traced his fingers along the wall, a fine layer of dust smudged across his palm, "So you're sure about this Chiyoko?"
"Are you doubting Daito right now? Aren't they backed by the city?" Void chuckled.
"No, not Daito, but I'd think twice about getting work done here without good connections. Place reeks of red tape and proxies." Levi glanced around, put off by the workshop clutter.
Void's transponder rang, he paced towards the door indicated on his map.
"Relax, I've got ways of knowing if they tampered with anything."
A red hologram flashed on the door's handle as Void knocked. Unlike last time, the place seemed far more "professional". It seemed Chiyoko had done some well needed cleaning.
The lock turned green as the door handle spun out, the door revolved and opened on its own. The room was dark. Chiyoko stood in the center, a luminescent shield hovered over her as a large mask covered her face.
She held a slim laser, sparks ignited as Chiyoko carved intricate details onto the armor, giving it some final touches. Her wrists buzzed green as she took of her mask and put the laser welder aside, her eyes shifting to the door.
"Finally, I thought you'd never come to collect this." Chiyoko turned off her shield and stepped outside the work bay, removing the protective suit restricting her movement.
Void fanned off the subtle smoke flowing his away, his eyes fell on the pristine armor set mounted on workstation. Crafted with the finest Ahamkara bones, the armor seemed dense.
At a closer glance, it was polished to perfection, sharp scales lined its sides, a ghastly aura lingered near the gauntlets. The entire armor set had also incorporated various alloys to allow for the best durability.
"Beautiful isn't it? Light infused tungsten for the chest piece, bones and ship-grade polymer for the cloak so it won't ever tear. Thing won't ever make a sound, all stealth. The scales are as lethal as knives, polished the edges myself."
Chiyoko unlocked the work station as the bench automatically inclined upright, showing all the items on display, a click resounded as the armor was unlocked and ready to take off, "Why don't you give it a try."
Void didn't hesitate as he swapped out each armor piece swiftly, suiting up within minutes. Finally, he donned the cloak and put on his hood. He felt a strange energy coat his body. The armor felt, strong to say the least.
'Almost getting those new car vibes.' Void murmured to himself, throwing a punch or two as he adjusted the gauntlets.
-
{Legendary Guardian System}
Name: Void Blade
Level: 40 (Max Lv.)
Light Level: 223
Subclass: Nightstalker Shadowfiend (Lv 7/10) (Shadowshot Deadfall/Spectral Blades)
[Weapons]:
Primary: Vestian Dynasty (Sidearm)
Secondary: Grimm Citizen III (Auto Rifle)
Heavy: Zamyr's Requiem (Sword)
[Gear]:
Helmet: Skull of Bones (220 LL)
Grips: Young Ahamkara Spine (214 LL)
Chest: Vest of the Great Hunt (220 LL)
Strides: Boots of Eao (224 LL)
Class Item: Cloak of the Great Hunt (230 LL)
=
Combat Perks: (10 Unlocked)
~Spectral Mastery: During combat, move with a flurry of dashes, your figure flickers, confusing your enemies.
~Spectral Shade: In combat, enemies have a higher probability of losing your presence if you break line of sight.
Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.
~Sixth Sense: As a hunter, you're able to sense danger a fraction of a second before it occurs.
~ Dagger mastery: As a skilled blade master you're able to masterfully wield daggers whether it is in long or short range encounters.
~Void Imbalance: Grenades are likely to explode immediately when shot with void weapons or void energy.
~Acrobats Dodge: Masterfully dodge your opponents, successful attack dodges allow instant counters and parries.
~Advanced Agility: You move fast guardian!
~Triple Jump: Jump twice in the air using an intermediate mastery of light.
~Gilded Blade: Your melee attacks have a chance to trigger void singe on champion enemies
~Void Sense: Your glare pierces through the enemies, revealing their weaknesses, highlighting critical spots.
[Passive Perks]: (2 unlocked)
~ Crafting Lv. 4/10
Remarks: Maybe you can craft your own bullets? Maybe though, don't bet on it.
~ True Sight Lv. Max
Remarks: Perceive the world for what it is, immune to mental and psychological attacks. Your gaze pierces through the unknown.
~Light Mastery Lv 1/10
--
[Acquired 1x Skull of Bones (Legendary)]
[Acquired 1x Young Ahamkara Spine (Exotic)]
[Acquired 1x Vest of the Great Hunt (Legendary)]
[Acquired 1x Boots of Eao (Exotic)]
[Acquired 1x Cloak of the Great Hunt (Legendary)]
Suddenly, a chill spread through his body, the Ahamkara bones embedded in his armor stirred, Void tensed up as a plethora of notifications popped up.
[ Warning !! Status Debuff, "Plagued by Whispers"]
[ Warning !! Status Debuff, "Wishful hex"]
[...]
[ "The Ahamkara's Favor" pact has removed "Plagued by Whispers"]
[ "The Ahamkara's Favor" pact has removed "Wishful Hex"]
As the system updated his status, Void felt the nourishing energy of the pact spread warmth to his body, cold sweat rolled down his back, for an instant, his mind was in complete turmoil.
Void immediately understood why there were only a few Ahamkara armor sets ever produced.
The mere existence of the wish dragons and their remains caused hysteria. Their bones were accursed with eternal whispers. Whispers echoing from the great unknown that seeped into the minds of guardians, and drove them insane.
He heaved a sigh of relief, the pact had unknowingly saved him once more.
Levi noticed Void's face pale for a simple second as he shifted closer, "Doing alright?"
The hunter smirked as he channeled his light, causing his armor to release an umbral glow, "Never been better."
"Nice twist on the bones, though I wouldn't have bothered. Felt a chill down my spine, I can swear those still shiver like they're alive." Levi examined the armor up close, impressed by its quality.
"I think I'll be alright. Now then, before we go." Void turned to Chiyoko, tossing her a chip containing the remaining amount. It was a pain to let go, but the glimmer was definitely worth for the armor.
Not to mention, he had finally received his first exotic. If anything Void was beyond ecstatic. If he wasn't surrounded by two real people, he would've absolutely freaked out.
"Pleasure doing business, door's that way." Chiyoko stepped to the side as the door slid open.
"You're awfully impatient for someone who still owes me the remaining bones." Void outstretched his hand, a cheeky smile plastered over his face.
"You do know I used up a lot to make your set look perfect. Matching sizes, ensuring quality, it's not that easy y'know?" Chiyoko scoffed.
"Yada yada, fork them out. I appreciate the work but they're far too dangerous in your hands." Void asked again, this time leaning in towards her.
"Alright, no need to get so serious. You can count em." Chiyoko immediately took out a bag from her inventory and tossed it to him.
"Thank you." Void clicked his fingers, summoning Obsidian as the ghost swiftly scanned the bag. He nodded as the hunters bid their farewell and disappeared.
Chiyoko sighed and pocketed the chip, her mind occupied with armor designs, she continued to tinker with her creations. Her goal was simple, to elevate her craftsmanship for Daito.
-----
Void and Levi flickered into the hall, the two glanced at the Courtyard below, it's typically bustling market was dead silent, an ominous omen indicating the severity of the Vanguard's efforts to maintain peace for the Consensus.
"So what's the plan, back to base?" Void shot Levi a glance.
"Nah, Captain said you're grounded, can't leave the city at all. I'd say take the next left and go nap in your room." Levi chortled.
"And...you're just gonna listen to him?" Void raised a brow, suspecting that Levi had somehow been brainwashed.
"What's that supposed to mean?" Levi shot him a mean mug.
"Nothing...just nothing." Void shrugged and walked to his room. A minute later, he threw himself on the bed, laying on his back, he pondered.
Suddenly, Void felt a familiar aura draw closer.
~We meet again, O bearer mine~
His blade shivered, responding to the voice, it unsheathed and rose up, gently floating as a ghastly aura emanated, pulsing through its edge.
"Zamyr. A pleasant surprise. What's the occasion?" Void sat up, immediately recognizing his energy.
~The world revolves at an opportune junction. A harrowing darkness resurfaces from the depths of the moon, the Eater of Hope returns, O brother mine~
Void frowned, he had already guessed the purpose of the Consensus, or rather, it was something set in stone. No matter what, the City would decide to attack the moon...and fail miserably.
Unfortunately, Void was unable to change the course of this major event. He wasn't yet strong or influential enough to raise a voice. Or rather, who would believe him if he insisted that it was a suicidal mission?
"So it seems. We've got no choice but to fight." Void sighed causing the blade to shiver once more.
~ All fates intertwine, the crux is the world breaker himself. Our ambition to ascend, remains fruitless. Each cycle persists, until you die, and here your fate is shattered, O brother mine.~
Void's frowned deepened, a slight panic arose, "Are you saying I've failed here before?"
Was Zamyr mentioning a possible future? Or perhaps...a prewritten past? Void felt there was far more to know than the system let on.
The Ahamkara's eerie voice resounded in his ears, like a sharp whisper.
~ Cycles, worlds, universes. Once it breaks, we journey to the next, until ascension. Your cycle shatters against the hive prince, O brother mine ~ Zamyr's words caused his heart to sink.
" So all the other cycles have failed? Is this how far I get? How many times have I failed?" Void clenched the sword, demanding an answer.
~Your fate, is your own, unwritten. Yet you have failed without distinction, in worlds and timelines beyond your own. Failed and succumbed to fate, thousands of times, except once. O brother mine.~
Void's thoughts raced, " So there is a way? A way to survive and not break the cycle. What is it?" His heart clenched as he urged Zamyr.
The sword seemed to lose its glow, dimly shimmering, Zamyr's presence weakened.
~ A relic, here, secured within the City walls. You must obtain it, and keep it close. A ring, left behind by a powerful warlock, never before seen, O brother mine~
Void clenched his teeth, "Relic? How will it help me?"
~ My will grows weak, O brother. The blade hungers for souls. Satiate its need, and summon me again. Seek the Ring, that is the onl-~ Zamy'r voice grew faint, his presence fully erased.
The blade had fully lost its glow. Void sheathed the sword, his inner thoughts were in turmoil. A red window propped open, a notification appeared ahead,
[ Optional Quest: Obtain (Ring of ?????)