You have got to be blessed by the gods!

Drake rolled her eyes, diving into the water, and swimming toward the shoreline that Vanish lay next to. The young man smiling at Drake as she struggled toward him in the water.

I am not blessed by the gods, if anything I am more than likely something being used for them to make bets on. The longer I survive, and the more bets placed against my life, the more valuable the show.

Drake had been playing at first, and wanted to shrug the thought aside, but couldn’t help but remember the eyes of the god that sent her there. Though the being’s eyes had been kind in some moments, in other instances, Drake could now remember a cunning that had alluded her while in the presence of a godly majesty. The aura of the god enough to dull her senses completely as they spoke.

You are probably holding the skull of an Ascended one, you have now survived death three times in what feels like the longest day I’ve ever experienced, and the lines between you and my strongest sibling are quickly becoming blurry.

That’s all coincidence, and have you ever thought for a moment that I’m only seemingly as strong as you think because of you being in my head, or our head I should say…

Drake was feeling agitated by her experiences with gods thus far, didn’t want to accept that any of her accomplishments so far were achieved because of godly interventions, and ignored any bit of what Aurora saying being potentially true.

No… I did not think of that at all, but that is beside the point.

Is it really, cause this is your body, your bloodline or whatever got us these skills, and is probably why we are still alive right now…

I’d agree with you, but I think it is your Bloodline that has gotten us these abilities, I think it is, my bloodline that made it possible for you to be here, giving your soul a vessel potentially strong enough to hold your powerful soul. I know it is supposed to be a bloodline, and not a souls trait but I’m struggling to see how your status pages read differently than mine, and the only way I could see us both having a different bloodline in a single body is if they are actually tied to our souls, and not our blood.

Drake thought to herself for a moment, unable to argue against Aurora, feeling the princess was making a lot of sense.

Yeah yeah, still all only possible because of your bloodline even if mine made us slightly stronger.

Slightly, ha, your funny, and don’t think that I’m going to ignore the fact that you are named after a dragon welp, and have a bloodline that probably originated with vampiric dragons.

“Its a family name, I was named after my mother, and its more than likely the fucking dungeon world built for the children of gods, powered by bloody sacrifices for fuck sake, underneath a city owned by your parents I might add, that is more than likely making us grow so quickly,” roared Drake as she emerged from the water, speaking aloud in her frustration. She now struggled with her decision to live her life in another world, not wanting to be forced to watch her mother die again, feeling as if she was off to a horrible start in her second chance at life regardless.

Point made, I will admit that you are more than likely right, but if Drake of all names is a family name, you may want to reconsider everything you have ever been told about yourself.

What would make you say that?

Because, Drake is the name of the wife of the first ever ruler of Imperial. It was their marriage that united the two factions that had conquered two halves of our realm as a whole before Imperial became the solely ruling dynasty.

So what, it’s just a name.

A name given to members of a lost family, that disappeared after giving their daughter to be the queen of the realm, you don’t truly believe that things could be so coincidental do you?

Drake’s mind flittered through shock and annoyance at her circumstances. She pulled the arm of the Metal Mage from the grasp of her weapon, tucking it in to the folds of her tunic before she began to yell in absolute outrage, slamming her weapon down repeatedly, until she heard laughter.

“Are you laughing at me,” said Drake, pulling herself out of the water to a chuckling Vanish. She was surprised to see him perched slightly upright against the first step of the stone path of floating pillars that lead to the manor. The young man’s arms crossed as he smirked up at her. She only momentarily wondered how he’d moved himself, seeing the black outline of his power wrap itself around the majority of his upper body, before it flickered and died.

He’s seriously trying to be able to move solely with his skill alone.

“Yeah, a little bit, I mean we are on a mountain full of the undead you nearly just died after trying to get a monster limb that you want to turn into a weapon, and currently seem to be arguing with the voice of a princess in your head about something, I don’t know, if I didn’t laugh I’d probably cry for you, would you prefer that?”

Drake shook her head, and started to laugh herself, pushing her racing thoughts aside as she looked back toward the combat still ensuing between Vanish’s minion and the ranked skeleton assassin. The fight seemed to be the same; the outcome changing very little by the addition of Vanish’s healer and its Demonic Guardian.

The Life Orbs seemed to be little more than a distraction to the Steel plated Assassin, but one that the Denizen now under Vanish’s control took every advantage of.

If it weren’t for the fact that the skeletal assassin was undead, Drake would have sworn that she saw annoyance stretching across its facial features.

“Do you think that this will finally end when the sun rises fully?”

Drake looked back toward Vanish and shrugged.

“I think the skeletons are only really active at night, seeing on how the mob has begun to disperse, but that assassin seems different, I don’t want to take any chances,” said Drake, pulling her fought for treasure from the fold of her tunic. Glad that it hadn’t been damaged during her tantrum at the edge of the water.

Better now than later I suppose. Drake felt stupid as she prayed for the weapon to reanimate successfully. She hated how she hoped for godly help, in that moment, sighing in relieve as the notification for her newest minion popped up into her vision.

This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.

*Notification* Reanimate Successful - Fingers of Gravity -

You have created a powerful magical minion. Fingers of Gravity. Your connection to this limb is deeper than the bones of external undead creatures outside your current Arsenal.

Scan - Hybrid - Monster/Weapon

Name: Fingers of Gravity

Rank: Unranked

Age: ???

Class: Locked / Former Metal Magus / Weapon

Average Attribute Level: 0.1

Stats -

Offense: 0.1

Defense: 0.1

System: 0.1

Scan Results - With this limb will grow your understanding of natural elements, the power of magnetism and the transformative qualities of ores & minerals.

Would you like to level up this minion, Yes / No?*

“Glad it worked, you gonna keep staring at it, or are we going to try and get inside,” asked Vanish. Drake nodded, unable to look away from the level up prompts that hung in the corner of her vision for both her new weapons.

This is going to be fun.

…

Aurora Was absolutely stunned by the options of upgrades being displayed for Drake. She’d seen a notification previously describing Drake’s minions as an Arsenal, and now believed the statement to be an absolute fact.

*Upgrade Selections* - Reach of the Storm Core -

Offense: Form of the Sleet Blade, Form of the Cloud Palm, Form of the Lightning Spear.

Defense: Cold barrier of Death’s Touch, Fingers of Fog, Electric Deflection.

System: Absolute Zero Beam, Hand of God, Thunder Clap.*

Aurora had heard of similar skills, but all of the ones she’d come across in her studies were significantly less powerful.

This could be assumed by the naming conventions being used in the skills. For instance, the offensive skills all had descriptors in their titles.

If the skills had been named in the same way the Arm of the Brute’s offensive skills had been, that would have been one thing, but the added element to each weapon style was telling in a whole different way.

Additionally was the use of the Iconic names found throughout Cultivator’s mythology. Death, and God, were only used when the skills had realm shattering potential. Which was why Aurora currently had a problem with Drakes choices.

As Drake pulled Vanish up the steps to the manor, she and Aurora had discussed what she planned to use for her first magical minion, and though Aurora suggested both of the iconic skills, Drake was already settled on choosing neither.

Sorry princess, not going to pass on utility to choose a skill that is both vague, and potentially weak, compared to the other options that we can tell more about by their names alone.

Aurora was disappointed, but felt slightly better as Drake chose all of her suggestions when it came to her second magical minion.

*Upgrade Selections* - Fingers of Gravity -

Offense: Spear Form, Hammer Form, Scythe Form.

Defense: Repulsion Field, Singularity Palm, Gate of Blood Iron.

System: Gravity inversion, Call of Metal, Mineral Molding.*

The choices for both weapons was made before they managed to get to the manor’s island, and Aurora was amazed to see both of the weapons float to hang from the mantle of Drake’s defensive brute arm. The humorous of both arms attaching to the bone like armor to hang down her back, forming what looked like a cape made of magically imbued bones as the two hands interlocked their fingers elegantly just below her waist.

Not going to lie here, kind of jealous of those. The first two minions were primal and savage looking until you upgraded them, but these two additions bring a more regal heir to how we look.

Why thank you princess, I can’t wait to see what I look like now.

Just look into the water beside you silly, it is the perfect mirror.

Since they were well away from the battle and close to the island’s entrance, Drake paused a moment to look over at herself in the water.

The sight took her breath away. Drake was a beautiful young woman, her features like that of a blooming goddess.

Her hair was a flowing blond color, that shifted as if it was only blond when struck by light, while being pitch black in reality.

One of her eyes was a familiar golden color, while the other was a pure crimson that looked like blood backlit by the illumination of a roiling sun.

Somehow her clothing was still a beautiful white, even after everything she’d been through. The fabric would be coveted by all who could lay their eyes upon it, or dare to wear the purest of colors. The blood that stained the cloth somehow only made the clothing more alluring to look at. The richness like that of a deep red, splashed artfully on a canvas.

She felt like she’d designed herself in a character creation tool with access to designs for every feature.

Drake wasn’t just surprised by her own appearance, but also the minions she now wore like equipment. She couldn’t help but be captivated by the pure white skeletal armor that now protected her right side, Her offensive Arm of the Brute held by its defensive partner.

Almost as if they wanted to be seen by their master, her twin magical weapons began to swish back and forward behind her. One hand of red lightning holding its blackened metallic partner.

“Woah…”

“Why did we stop, are their enemies up there too?”

“What, no, just never seen myself before, Aurora said I should look while I had the chance.”

Vanish smirked up at her, and Drake rolled her eyes, shaking her head as Aurora laughed at her.

Yeah, I thought I was pretty before.

Wow, vain much are we princess.

Whatever, at least I wasn’t gaping at myself in the water just now like a girl putting on makeup for the first time.

You got me there, said Drake laughing inwardly.

She continued up the stones steps, stepping underneath a archway made of flowing water that split above them, creating a doorway of gushing liquid elegance like that of a flowing river separated by a sharpened boulder.

They made their way into the courtyard of the manor and couldn’t believe their eyes. Within was a beautiful multi tiered home, made from nothing but white marble and gold. Every direction they looked was lavish red silks, and luxuries only found in places owned by the truly elite.

Within the area lay piles of treasures left to rot. Gems bigger than their heads. Piles of gold coins and diamonds. Even treasure chests spilling over with mana stones and scrolls emanating with raw power.

“Where the hell are we,” asked Drake, looking down at the equally stunned Vanish. His mouth fell open and moved as if he was about to speak, but only silence was left between them, until Aurora screamed.

We got incoming!

Drake looked down the path to see the Steel plated Assassin rushing up the stone steps toward them, flanked by Vanish’s minions.

“Son of a,” started Drake, taking her weapon from her minion, placing it in her off hand, as her defensive minion grabbed Vanish and pulled him over Drake’s armored shoulder.

“Wait what the hell is happening, oh shit run Drake, run,” screamed Vanish in confusion until he saw what was headed toward them.

She ran into the courtyard, rushing passed the mini mountains of riches, darting to the twin open doors styled with a tribal sun that seemed to be maid of crystal like obsidian.

Drake moved on pure adrenaline in her attempt to escape. She charged through rooms, ran down decorated corridors and eventually up stairs.

No matter how fast she ran however, the sound of crumbling walls could be heard behind her. The destruction of the beautiful manor was commencing all around, and Drake refused to stop until she found her way out.

Don’t look back, just don’t look back!

…

Aurora watched as Vanish’s minions tried to hold back the assassin. The moment the sun had covered the area, the undead had gone wild.

Its bones had started to steam when touched by the sun, and without hesitation it rushed toward the castles innards for safety. Once inside, Vanish’s minions had grown frantic to keep away the predator amongst them, only to experienced what it was to face that of a truly cornered monster.

Drake turned a corner, and the wal just behind her exploded. It was as if the stone had been touched by the same demolitions magic Aurora had been exposed to when old buildings within the kingdom were removed for new expansions.

The sun bled into the interior through the newly opened holes as the manor began to fall apart around them.

Aurora screamed, and Drake dove out of an open window a mere breath before Vanish’s demonic guardian was kicked into the wall near to where Drake had just been running. Even the sound of the undead dogs cry as it smashed the wall was too much for Aurora to handle.

Where are you going?

I’m trying to stay in the lighted areas, said Drake mentally as she fell through the air with a screaming vanish still on her shoulder.

Drake landed awkwardly on the roof of a lower section of the manor, and the same Wall that held the window she’d just jumped from crumbled; the former martial artist flew end over end through it, hurtling toward Drake.

Drake tried to dodge again, but the body of Vanish’s minion smashed through the roof she ran across, taking away the surface she trodded on in an instant.

Drake immediately plummeted through multiple holes, as the Denizen’s momentum wasn’t halted by anything but the ground floor of the basement, providing no higher pointes throughout the manor to stop Drake’s descent.

Drake!

Aurora screamed rather than keeping Drake aware of the danger as the roof fell in all around her charge. Drake tried to scramble to her feet, barely dodging the falling debris, only to be struck as Vanish’s Healer collided with her, causing her and Vanish to once again be sent flying. Aurora truly surprised that Drake hadn’t dropped Vanish in the chaos.

The assassin jumped from the higher floor it had just been on, dropping down through the multitude of holes to stand in the basement they were now in. Drake managed to get to her feet as Vanish’s martial minion flipped into the air from its back; barely landing before it dashed, jumping toward the assassin with a flying kick. The attack was stopped easily as the assassin grabbed the minion by its ankle and threw it easily toward where drake ran.

Drake was able to get into the next room, but Aurora could still see the happenings of the fight between the minions and the assassin in the room they’d fled from.

The demonic Guardian dove through the hole in the roof to the basement, and was swatted from the sky ass easily as a slowly moving flying insect.

Aurora tried to calm down, but was made even more panicked being able to see through walls as she now could, witnessing the body of Vanish’s martial artist moments away from being smashed through yet another wall, well before it happened.

It wasn’t until Drake ran into the next room, A chamber full of rune work that lined the walls, floors and even the ceiling, that Aurora knew they were far from safety, and at an entirely new point of no return.

The runes lit as Drake crossed the threshold, and the sound of shifting stone could be heard at the center of the room where a coffin made of obsidian marble lay with its top now opening.

A surge of mana exploded outward, and Aurora could tell that neither Drake nor vanish could breathe under the building pressure that flooded the atmosphere. The two quickly beginning to gasp for air. Aurora the only one who could see what lay within the coffin, even before its black skeletal hand reached from within the opening.

“By the light of the maiden!