Meera lay in a puddle of her own blood, huffing as a low moan escaped her lips while Vitalize worked to put her body back together. This was becoming a common occurrence. It had been seven days since her brutal training began, and in that time, Meera had yet to land even a scratch on the sorceress. But the sorceress had nearly killed Meera more than a dozen times.
It was downright infuriating how much more powerful Veridiana was than her. At this rate, she could never catch up to the woman. The problem was that the sorceress had been at it for centuries, but Meera didn't have centuries. Even now, she had probably wasted too much time.
I should have come up with an escape plan by now.
But that was easier said than done, as Veridiana hardly ever left her alone. Thanks to a potion the sorceress had, they trained almost the entire twenty-four hours. It practically reduced her need for sleep and refilled her stamina.
Meera had been holding off on checking her notifications, which had been ringing like a constant bell in her head. She wanted to see a big jump in her levels but figured she had waited long enough.
*ding!*
[Congratulation. The Shadow Image has gained 72 levels and reached Level 458. You have been awarded 216 stat points]
Meera stopped to marvel at the number of levels she had progressed. It was nothing short of amazing. She had never progressed this many levels in this short a time, aside from the time she trained with the Wardens. She had progressed some eighty levels or around there in eight days. She continued checking out her levels.
[Congratulations. Chakram of Echoes effect activated. Upon reaching Level 390, 400, 410, 420, 430, 440 & Level 450 in your main class, you have earned seven more Chakrams.]
Meera's eyes widened. To say Meera was exhilarated was an understatement. She had never gotten this many chakrams at the same time. Seven chakrams appeared on her arm, bringing her total to thirty-two—twenty-one regular and twelve level 2 chakrams.
"So, that is how you get more of them," Veridiana commented.
Meera chuckled, realizing the sorceress was watching her. "Yes…I get one more at every tenth level."
"Well, it is a divine weapon. That's good. Checking your notifications?"
"Yes, I am. Figured it's about time."
Veridiana nodded. "Yes, it's about time you saw the results of our training."
*ding!*
[Congratulations. Mirror's Affinity has gained 86 levels and reached Level 359. All of your mirror-based attacks will get a 364% boost.]
*ding!*
[Congratulations. Ambush Tactics has gained 68 levels and reached Level 181]
*ding!*
[Congratulations. Shroud of Shadows has gained 88 levels and reached Level 200]
*ding!*
[Congratulations. Nightstalker Bindings has gained 54 levels and reached Level 166]
*ding!*
[Congratulations. Mirror Step has gained 92 levels and reached Level 226]
*ding!*
[Congratulations. Druvis Power has gained 61 levels and reached Level 166]
*ding!*
[Skill Evolution. Druvis Power evolves to Druvis Might. Druvis Might – Type: Active. You have arrived in your teens and, with it, gained greater strength. Your physical strength has increased exponentially, allowing you to perform feats otherwise considered impossible.]
She raised an eyebrow and wondered if she could create shockwaves by clapping like Veridiana and Melas. Oh, I can't wait to try this out.
*ding!*
[Congratulations. Mirrorstrike Vision has gained 121 levels and reached Level 298]
Meera would've jumped up and danced if her body allowed. This was the highest number of levels she had ever gained for any skill at one time. She didn't think she could gain this many levels in one go. Regardless to say, her smile stretched from ear to ear.
*ding!*
[Congratulations. Mirror Tower Shield has gained 89 levels and reached Level 225]
*ding!*
[Congratulations. Mirror Blast has gained 59 levels and reached Level 190]
*ding!*
[Congratulations. Mirror Shard Fury has gained 84 levels and reached Level 219]
*ding!*
[Congratulations. Vitalize has gained 102 levels and reached Level 259]
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*ding!*
[Congratulations. Mirror Wing has gained 96 levels and reached Level 268]
*ding!*
[Congratulations. Corrupting Hex has gained 46 levels and reached Level 74]
*ding!*
[Congratulations. Shadow Coating has gained 76 levels and reached Level 180]
*ding!*
[Congratulations. Mirror Phantom has gained 81 levels and reached Level 164]
*ding!*
[Congratulations. Smoke Eclipse has gained 79 levels and reached Level 118]
*ding!*
[Skill Evolution. Smoke Eclipse evolves to Dusk Veil. Dusk Veil – Type: Active. You have reached a new peak of concealment. You can cover the area with shadows that sap the strength of your foes while strengthening your Shadow and Dark Affinity skills. The oppressive shadows emit a constant fear, slowing your enemies.]
*ding!*
[Congratulations. Spectral Dominion has gained 84 levels and reached Level 153]
*ding!*
[Congratulations. Death Mark has gained 45 levels and reached Level 120]
*ding!*
[Congratulations. Shadowflame Devastation has gained 69 levels and reached Level 98]
*ding!*
[Congratulations. Bastian's Strength has gained 86 levels and reached Level 151]
*ding!*
[Congratulations. Wild Instincts has gained 43 levels and reached Level 122]
*ding!*
[Congratulations. Shadow Affinity has gained 64 levels and reached Level 196. All of your shadow-based attacks will get a 199% boost.]
*ding!*
[Congratulations. Tactician's Gaze has gained 32 levels and reached Level 124]
*ding!*
[Congratulations. Spectral Resilience has gained 81 levels and reached Level 217]
*ding!*
[Congratulations. Iron Skin has gained 81 levels and reached Level 186]
*ding!*
[Congratulations. Accelerated Healing has gained 92 levels and reached Level 124]
*ding!*
[Congratulations. Volatility has gained 60 levels and reached Level 61]
*ding!*
[Congratulations. Armor of Mirrors has gained 105 levels and reached Level 251]
Thanks to her superior hearing, Meera heard the grinding sound of stone against stone coming from two rooms over, which meant Aksha had just arrived with food.
"While you get healed up, I'll fetch us our dinner," Veridiana called.
Meera waved a hand in response, as that was all she could do. Besides, she was too engrossed in seeing all these levels shooting up. It was like she had become a monster in the past seven days.
She was ecstatic that two of her skills had evolved, and she felt that some others were on the verge of evolving and couldn't wait to see what their evolution brought. But for now, she focused on assigning her stat points.
She did a twenty-point spread in everything aside from Power, where she only put in ten points. She had half a mind not to put anything in Power since she had just now evolved her Druvis Power skill. In the end, she decided to put ten points in it. After that, she doubled the points to forty in Constitution, Endurance, and Focus. She split the remaining points between Endurance and Agility.
She automatically felt renewed. The feeling was similar to when she evolved her class. She hoped that would be soon. Her body started putting itself together much faster. Her back snapped together with a resounding crunch. She gasped as immediately that pain evaporated like the morning mist. She still lay there, enjoying the only time she got to rest.
Oh, I can't wait to spar with the sorceress now.
Her thoughts and excitement halted when she heard something rather peculiar, thanks to her Gem of Echoes, which afforded her superior hearing.
"Mother, the dragons are here," Aksha spoke hurriedly. There was an inflection of anxiousness in her tone. Something Meera didn't expect she would ever hear from her. "All of them. They've encircled us completely. They're in the air. They're on the ground. They're everywhere. It's as if they've grown bored from their carnage in Drurith and finally come to get revenge."
Meera sat up at that. Her heart pounded at the news. After what it took to escape from the hellhole of a city, she was not looking to face them again, even if she had grown stronger. Something told her there wouldn't be any honor duels like last time.
Veridiana was quiet. Her silence made Meera nervous, and she was sure Aksha was feeling much the same. Meera stood flinching, but the sum of her injuries now equaled to bruises and a dislocated shoulder. She used Mirror Wing, took to the air, and moved for the sorceresses. It didn't take her long to arrive in Veridiana's living room, which was decorated in all sorts of dragon designs.
Veridiana stared into the distance and didn't even take notice of Meera. Aksha did, but one look was all she got from the cold woman.
"It comes to it, at last," Veridiana finally said in a whisper. "They've finally come for revenge…" She turned, and her eyes landed on Meera. "…or maybe something else entirely."
"Mother, Ignis, and Tigris are resting on the palm of Akhessai's right hand," Aksha said. "Neither brother has said anything nor moved in a manner that would suggest they're about to attack. It's almost as if they want to—"
"They want to talk with me…before the carnage begins." She drew a deep breath. "Let's go meet with my estranged nephews." She looked to Meera. "You should come too,"
Aksha stirred. "I would advise against that, Mother."
"We must, dear daughter. If we don't take her, she will never accept what comes after our conversation."
"What comes next?" Meera asked.
Veridiana smiled. "You'll see."
The trio moved for the door and passed through the barrier Veridiana had set up. Meera's hair ruffled as if she had moved through a windy lane. She had been in the room for so long that when they were outside, she was once more astonished by the size of this place. It was like being inside a skyscraper, if it had been emptied out. But this skyscraper, where last it was quiet and orderly, was now abuzz with activity.
Sorceresses moved about in a frenzy, some screaming orders to others. Some flew about on various platforms of their making. Many of the Daughters were dashing up and down the stairs, most likely to fortify the place. It was a sight to behold how so many people sprinted up and down the narrow stairs, and none managed to fall off.
Veridiana formed a stone platform. Meera stepped on it along with the sorceresses, and they shot off to the right. Meera almost fell, but Aksha caught her. She nodded her thanks to the sorceress, even if she were loathe to touch the vile woman. She was the worst one of the lot.
Veridiana took them towards a tunnel, which Meera figured to be the right arm. Even though it looked like a tunnel, it must have been the length of a three-story house and just about as wide.
The inside of the hollowed-out arm was not as hollow as it looked from the outside. The floating crystals that lit the rest of the place were here as well, lighting the way. There seemed to be hives of houses carved in the arm. Sorceresses curried out the hives like the cockroaches they were. Some stared and called on Veridiana to save them.
They flew on by without care. Their Sovereign had more pressing matters than listening to her sisters' cries. There was a slight bend at what Meera figured was the elbow. Veridiana picked up the speed then. Meera's hair ruffled in the air, and her eyes watered, but she managed to keep her footing this time. A few moments later, they arrived at the end of the arm. They had even carved out the fingers of the poor archdragon.
Veridiana pointed up, and a hole opened in the arm. Sunlight washed them in such a fierce light that Meera had to avert her eyes, only that didn't make a lick of difference as she had her Mirrorstrike Vision on.
"Meera, whatever happens, stay close to me," The Sovereign said. "They won't make a move if I'm there."
Meera nodded, and they rose to meet the strongest dragons she had ever seen.