Mel’s eyes were wide, her usual confidence shaken as she adjusted her grip on the massive hammer slung over her shoulder. The destruction before her wasn’t just surprising; it was staggering. She looked at me, then back to the ruined landscape, her lips parting as if to say something, but no words came.
Leo’s staff hovered slightly off the ground, forgotten in his grip as he stared at the carnage. His glowing eyes flickered, taking in the massive trees that had been ripped from the earth, roots exposed like open wounds. He shook his head, disbelief painted across his features. “You did all this?” he muttered, more to himself than anyone else.
Sen stood nearby; arms crossed as he surveyed the aftermath. His expression was calm, though there was a flicker of something… respect, perhaps? Behind his eyes. He gave me a slow nod, acknowledging the sheer force that had caused this destruction. Wyguall grinned faintly, his weathered face betraying nothing but a quiet, knowing approval.
But it was Trish who drew my attention the most. She stood apart from the others, her hands covering her mouth, wide eyes scanning the wreckage with something close to amazement. Her gaze moved slowly, from one shattered tree to the next, before finally landing on me. There was no fear in her eyes, only shock and something else, admiration, maybe? “You… you did this?” she asked, her voice muffled behind her hands, filled with awe.
I looked around. The forest for twenty feet in every direction was cleared; burned, shattered trees scattered across the now-expanded clearing. The ground still smoldered beneath me. I glanced down at Star, the flail in my hand.
Star… what happened?
“You activated the Tempest form. It won't be near this powerful again for a long while, but this is its potential… at a low level, that is,” Star responded.
Okay, note to you and self… only in your realm from now on, I thought loudly.
“Noted.” Star’s voice carried a hint of amusement. Was he laughing at me? I didn’t have time to dwell on it. I needed to explain to everyone waiting for an answer.
I turned back to them, rubbing the back of my head with an awkward laugh. “I, uh… I learned a new form.”
Their eyes widened even more, so I quickly added, “It won’t be this powerful again anytime soon. Star said this can happen when I learn something new.”
Star chimed in, offhandedly. “Ah yes, I couldn’t have explained it better myself…”
Oh, shut it, I thought back irritably. I don’t exactly know how to explain this to them!
Star’s response was definitely laughter this time.
Max appeared behind the rest of the group, his eyes widening as he took in the destruction. “What the hell happened here? James, are you okay, man?” He hurried into the clearing, slowing as the devastation became clear. “Wait... did you?” He pointed limply at the ground, his voice trailing off in disbelief.
Mel was the first to break the silence. “Yup, was him alright. Bloody hell, mate, you were like a hurricane. Beautiful and terrifying at the same time.”
“There was a glowing light coming from over here,” Leo added, his voice still laced with shock.
Trish and Sen exchanged a glance, and with a nod from Sen, Trish continued. “We were only a few yards away to the east when we heard the first crash…” Her initial shock shifted to an almost excited awe. “James, it was incredible; like you were covered in this golden-blue aura. With every movement, it arched out. And then you started moving faster, spinning. It was like watching a tornado form before my eyes.”
Sen interjected, his tone reverent. “A beautiful dance of destruction. Each motion was precise, powerful. But then... it turned into something more.”
Trish’s smile widened. “As you spun faster, we lost sight of your movements; the light grew too bright. And that’s when it happened. You became a hurricane. There was this pull, like gravity itself was bending around you. If not for Sen, I might’ve been swept into it.”
“If Mel and Wyguall hadn’t shown up, we both would’ve been pulled into that storm,” Sen added.
A momentary swell of pride filled me as they recounted the scene, but that pride quickly gave way to fear and shame. The realization of what I had unleashed gripped me, and I lowered my head, unable to face them.
“Nah, mate. Don’t you dare feel bad now,” Mel cut in, her voice lifting the mood. “That was epic!”
“Wait, that doesn’t make any sense,” Max said, frowning. “How could his ability start pulling you in? We’re in a party; shouldn’t we be exempt from each other’s abilities?”
Wyguall and Sen both began speaking at once. “Well…” They stopped, exchanging a glance. Wyguall stepped back, gesturing politely for Sen to continue.
“Do you remember when Leo underwent his transformation?” Sen asked. We all nodded in response.
“And you recall feeling that biting cold, followed by the pulse from the implosion?” Another round of nods.
“James here went through something similar, though not exactly the same,” Sen explained. “The key point is, during moments like these; upgrades, transformations, evolutions, whatever you call them. There are no rules. The power surge unleashed is impartial to allies, surroundings, or anything else. It’s raw and uncontrolled in its initial burst.”
Star chimed in with a dry, almost cheeky tone. “Would you like me to add that little detail for future reference to the note from earlier?”
I looked down at the haft of my weapon, trying to suppress a grin. Smartass.
Star’s laughter echoed through me, somehow easing the tension and helping me shake off the weight of the moment.
“Okay, that makes sense,” Max said, then asked, “but do these things always happen at random?”
Sen started to respond, but I cut in.
“Well, not for me…” I admitted. “I could have done it in Star’s realm, but I wanted to be out here, in the wild; appreciating the sounds, the smells, the stillness.” I paused, feeling the weight of their gazes on me, then quickly added, “But yeah, from now on, the only place I’ll be doing that is in Star’s realm. Just to be safe…”
I glanced around the group, seeing their faces slowly relax as the tension began to ebb away. Max glanced at me, then back to the scattered remnants of the clearing. “Well, I guess if you’re not planning on bringing the next storm here, I’ve got some things I need to learn from Tevis,” he said with a grin, already stepping back toward the village.
Leo, who had been lost in thought, clapped me on the shoulder. “Glad you’re okay, man. Just... maybe leave the natural disasters to me next time,” he added with a smirk, and I couldn’t help but laugh. “Now, I’ve got some potions to brew. It looks like we’re going to need them soon.” With that, he gave a nod to the others and headed toward the village as well.
Mel gave a long stretch, cracking her knuckles as she eyed Wyguall. “I think I’ve had enough excitement for one day, but if you’ve got more training lined up, I’m game,” she said, her fierce grin back in place. Wyguall grunted in approval, and the two started walking toward the training area they came from, ready for the next round.
Trish looked at Sen, “Suppose we still got some time to burn or is Kiji expecting you back soon?” she asked.
Sen grinned, “we have time, Kiji will likely be working on dinner for when we are done.” He responded and glanced back to me with a nod as they headed back down to where they were practicing.
As they walked off together, I stood for a moment in the clearing, alone with the lingering scent of smoke and the distant hum of the village. Star hummed softly in my mind, a quiet reminder that there was still much to learn. But for now, it was enough to know that everyone was heading back to their tasks, pushing themselves further, just as I needed to.
I took a deep breath, feeling the weight of responsibility settle back into place. “Alright, Star,” I muttered, “let’s get back to work.”
I widened my stance, gripping the hilt as Star shifted into the flail in my right hand. My shield rose instinctively in my left. With a deep breath, I began the motions of the Tempest form, letting the spins flow naturally through my body. Every step and swing felt precise, calculated. The flail moved in sweeping arcs, its head leaving a faint afterglow in the air with each strike, while the shield pulsed in rhythm with the movements.
A soft glow radiated from my body, barely visible but unmistakable, as I executed the spins and strikes. Though the power wasn’t as overwhelming as when I’d first tapped into the form during the vision, it was there; controlled and tangible. A smile crept across my face as I realized that I could still wield it, even if it wasn’t as destructive.
“No,” Star’s voice hummed in my mind, almost teasing. “It’s not the form that holds the power; it’s your class.”
He said it so plainly, as if it was something I should have known all along.
I opened my class, and realized the description changed from what it said before.
CLASS – STARS ASCENT
No longer a mere spark, your light now blazes with the fury of the heavens. Your aura ignites with celestial energy, guiding allies and scorching enemies. Harness the wrath and brilliance of the stars as your power rises.
That was an interesting change, I decided to try the other forms and see if…Holy crap! Star!
I felt a sense of pride and Star being pleased with the new revelation and change to my class.
“Well, I suppose that you didn’t just learn a new form. You did evolve as well.” Star said proudly.
I felt giddy with excitement, as I moved through the motions of each form the aura glowed. Star’s head left streaks of light behind as it moved. I focused myself and realized that the shield still let off a strange pulsing rhythm as I moved as well. So, I decided to inspect the shield to see if something had changed.
[Celestial Duriron Sentinel] – Crafted by James (Modified by Theron)
BONUS STRENGTH – 11
BONUS DEXTERITY – 7
BONUS INTELLIGENCE – 8
BONUS ARMOR – 34
PHYSICAL DAMAGE REDUCTION FROM BLOCKING – 87%
MAGICAL DAMAGE REDUCTION FROM BLOCKING – 39%
ENCHANTMENT(Mel) – [RENEWAL]: Grants ability to heal self instantly in combat for 5% of health and 1% of health every 1 second for 10 seconds after. (Cooldown – 30 minutes)
BONUS EFFECT – [Gravity Well] Once per encounter, create a localized gravity well around the shield for 10 seconds, pulling in nearby enemies and reducing their movement speed by 50%. This effect also reduces the weight of the shield, increasing the bearer’s Dexterity by 5 for the duration.
CELESTIAL ENHANCEMENT – [Rhythm of the drum] During battle the shield will pulse a beating rhythm that emboldens you and your allies increasing highest stat by 5%. This effect lasts for as long as you keep the dances of death in rhythm.
My eyes grew wide at that, and I hurriedly inspected Star.
[Starlit Eclipser]
Effects will increase as you grow your spirit bond with the weapon. Bonuses round up to the nearest whole number.
Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.
BONUS STRENGTH – 275% - 10%
BONUS DEXTERITY – 250% - 10%
BONUS INTELLIGENCE – 300% - 10%
BONUS WISDOM – 280% - 10%
BONUS LUCK – 250% - 10%
BONUS EFFECT – Eclipse Nova: When activated, the Starlit Eclipser can create an Eclipse Nova, momentarily blotting out the light in a 100-foot radius 30-foot radius and enveloping the area in a starry twilight. During this time, the wielder's attacks gain increased critical hit chance. Allies within the eclipse receive a protective shield that absorbs 100% damage 20% damage, while enemies are blinded and take continuous damage over time. The eclipse lasts for 20 sec. 12 sec.
The surge in power coursing through me was undeniable. My class had evolved, and Star’s power was now more deeply entwined with mine. I could feel it not only in my flail but in my shield as well. The bond between us had deepened, and the effects rippled through my entire being. But there was one thing I needed to figure out; how had this evolution impacted my shield?
I glanced back at the scene of destruction I’d caused. The forest clearing, now far wider than before, was filled with scorched trees and the smoldering remains of what had once been towering trunks. Yet despite the carnage, a sense of pride welled up within me. The smile that spread across my face was involuntary, as if the power that pulsed through me was too much to contain.
As the light of day faded, the soft glow of the three moons began to filter through the trees, casting their delicate hues: orange, blue, and silver, across the forest floor. Their soft illumination seemed almost peaceful in contrast to the chaos I had unleashed.
With one last glance at the clearing, I turned and sprinted back toward the village, my thoughts already racing. Sen or Wyguall would hopefully know more about the change to my shield.
Walking into the inn, I saw everyone sitting around three tables, chatting away about their days and enjoying a drink. Mel’s massive orc figure, with her dark mocha skin, long raven-black hair, and piercing blue eyes, stood out even next to Wyguall’s somehow even larger frame. Her broad shoulders and towering presence. Standing side by side, she wasn’t much smaller than Wyguall in sheer bulk, though he still stood a full head taller.
Max and Leo sat next to one another, Max’s hood covering his appearance still. I can’t even remember the details of his new face; it’s been so long since I’ve actually seen it. Leo’s still ever-changing purple and blue luminescent skin danced patters on his face.
I scanned the group and found Trish, my eyes lingering on her for a moment longer than anyone else. My wife had always been the most stunning woman to me, but now, after all we had been through, it was as if her beauty had intensified. Her long chestnut brown hair cascading down her back, with natural blonde highlights at the ends catching the light of the inn’s glow. Her skin had a rich, dark tan that complemented her golden-brown eyes, which were more striking than ever. Those eyes, once purely warm and welcoming, now held the faintest hint of fierceness, a reflection of the strength and determination she had gained on this journey. Yet, they still shone with joy as she laughed and chatted with the others, her fit and toned build a testament to the rigors of our adventure and her increased stats. Trish was no longer just the woman I had fallen in love with; she was becoming a warrior in her own right, and the early signs of that transformation were etched into every confident movement she made.
Trish looked over at me, as if she felt my gaze. She smiled and waved me over. I smiled back, walked over, and kissed her forehead before taking the open spot between her and Sen. I nodded to the others in greeting, and they all returned it while continuing their conversations.
“What ya doin’ babe?” Trish asked, laying her head on my shoulder.
“I was just admiring all of you, noticing the changes…” I paused, looking at Max. “Though I’ve honestly forgotten what that guy even looks like,” I added with a chuckle, gesturing at the hood.
“It’s not like I want to wear this thing all the time,” Max replied, sounding a little offended.
“Sorry, man, I didn’t mean anything by it,” I apologized quickly.
“No, it’s okay, bro. I take it off sometimes, obviously, but in these towns and villages, I have to be cautious. And out in the woods, I just keep it on in case anything happens,” he explained. “I do miss hanging out without it, though. It feels like you guys have a harder time reading me when my face is always hidden.”
Leo chimed in to lighten the mood. “I don’t know, man, at this point I’d almost rather be hidden all the time. Instead, everyone can spot me from a mile away ‘cause I’m all... glowy and stuff.”
Max chuckled at that, and the rest of us joined in, even Wyguall let out a grunt that sounded like the beginnings of a laugh.
I shot Leo a quick look of thanks for breaking the tension, and he gave me a small, knowing nod in return.
Trish reached up and rubbed the beard that had formed on my face, a change from the goatee I had originally worn, her eyes scanning my now much larger form. “I think since we all saw each other in the tutorial village, you’ve changed the most out of all of us,” she said with a smile, a hint of admiration in her tone.
Max, jumping back into the banter, grinned. “Dude, you grew at least three inches taller. You’re officially the second tallest in the group… again. I realized I have to actually look up at you when we talk. I was barely coming to terms with having to look up to Mel of all people,” he said, his tone lighthearted.
I couldn’t help but laugh. “I didn’t even realize I grew taller. I noticed the extra mass, sure, but taller? That one slipped past me.”
I sat in silence for a few moments, soaking in the sounds of everyone talking about their days. Trish, her eyes bright with excitement, leaned over to tell me how much better her control of the Chakrams had gotten since we arrived at the village. Sen, seated nearby, nodded in agreement, adding, “Her control is nearly as good as mine now.”
Trish rolled her eyes and waved him off playfully, as if to say, whatever. But when I caught Sen’s gaze, I realized he wasn’t just being kind; his words carried weight. His expression was serious, almost proud, but with an underlying intensity that told me he wasn’t exaggerating. He genuinely meant it. Trish was getting stronger, much stronger.
As Trish became distracted, laughing with Leo as he explained potions that could dye clothes, Sen caught my eye again. His demeanor shifted subtly, and without a word, he signaled that he wanted to talk. It wasn’t urgent, but there was something on his mind. Something important.
I followed Sen over to the bar, and we both sat down quietly. He glanced at Trish; admiration clear in his eyes as he watched her laugh with the others. “She’s probably surpassed my skill with the Chakrams,” he said, his voice thoughtful. “In fact, she’s even shown me techniques I never would have thought to try.”
He paused, still watching her with a sense of pride. “Don’t get me wrong, she’s far from mastering them entirely. There’s still plenty to learn, but in comparison to me, it’s like she’s already a master. She has a natural connection to these weapons; it’s like she’s been wielding them her whole life.”
His words hit me hard. Trish was excelling at a pace that none of us had anticipated, and hearing that from someone like Sen, a seasoned warrior, only reinforced just how far she’d come.
She glanced over at me and smiled before going back to her conversation with Leo. I smiled back at her and then looked at Sen, feeling a question burn at the back of my mind. "Did she really… help as much as she tells me she did… in that camp?" I asked, my voice hesitant. I wasn’t sure if I truly wanted to know the answer.
Sen stared down at the bar in front of him for a long moment, gathering his thoughts. When he finally looked up at me, there was a gravity in his eyes. "I saw a shift within her when she stepped in front of that attack to save me," he said, his tone low. He paused, his lips pressing together as if searching for the right words. "She murmured something under her breath, words I couldn’t hear. And then… the bandits, they just… went mad. It was like something twisted inside them, they turned on each other, started tearing each other apart."
My eyes widened in shock. "What kind of ability is that?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.
Sen shook his head. "I don’t think it was one of her abilities. The power… it didn’t feel like her at all. It was dark, consuming. Whatever it was, it came from something else." His gaze flicked over to Trish, now laughing with Leo and Mel. "I saw a glow from her hands, brief, but enough. The power felt like it came from that item she used, not her. The bandits… they became something else, ruthless, vicious. It was terrifying."
My stomach twisted. I glanced over at Trish, watching as she laughed with her friends. The thought of her using something so dark didn’t sit right with me. "Do you think that’s why she’s so determined to learn to fight? Because using that item scared her?" I asked, trying to make sense of it.
Sen looked thoughtful for a moment before shaking his head slightly. "I think that’s something only she can answer," he replied softly. His hand patted my shoulder, a signal that it was time to rejoin the group, but his words lingered like a weight on my mind.
Trish looked up at me as I sat down, her eyes locking onto mine. She must have seen the questions written all over my face because her expression shifted slightly, but I gave her a subtle "not now" look and gently placed my hand in hers. She squeezed it, offering silent support, but I could feel the tension lingering between us.
I sat quietly, letting the others continue their chatter, though my mind was elsewhere, tangled in thoughts of what Sen had told me. The question of what had truly happened at the camp burned inside me, blocking out the world around me. Why hadn’t Trish told me what she had done? Was it shame, or maybe fear? I couldn’t hold anything against her; I just needed to understand.
"James?" A voice broke through my haze, faint at first, then clearer. Realization struck me, pulling me back into the present. Max was looking at me, confused.
"Uh… what?" I asked, hesitant and still somewhat dazed.
Max raised an eyebrow, his tone flat but laced with concern. "I was asking if you got anything cool from your training..." He trailed off, then his expression softened as his voice turned more serious. "Bro, are you good?"
I blinked, glancing around. Everyone was watching me, their faces painted with varying degrees of worry. Trish’s gaze lingered the longest, her eyes full of understanding, as if she could see right through the distraction.
"Yeah, sorry," I said, forcing a quick smile. "I was just trying to figure out what this new thing on my shield is." I pulled the shield from my inventory, holding it up for them to see. "I’ve been trying to understand where it came from or how I got it." The lie rolled off my tongue easily enough, but I knew Trish wasn’t buying it. She squeezed my hand again, offering silent comfort.
As I held the shield out, everyone’s attention shifted to it. Mel’s eyes widened at the sight of the new enchantments, her gaze tracing the changes she hadn’t seen before. Wyguall and Sen exchanged a glance, both giving a nod of recognition as if they understood the nature of the shield. Leo’s face lit up with understanding as well.
Leo, taking on a mage-like tone, spoke up. "That, my newly evolved friend, is a bonus that will be on any shield you wield." He glanced over at Sen as if to confirm, who chuckled in agreement.
Wyguall chimed in next, his deep voice steady. "When you evolve, an enhancement attaches itself to an item that holds significance to your fighting style. For you, it seems to have anchored itself to your shield. Same thing happened to Leo with his staff." He gestured toward Leo’s staff, which Leo quickly pulled from his inventory.
"May I?" I asked, gesturing to the staff. Leo nodded, passing it over to me.
[Chaotic Storm Rod] – Crafted by Gibby
BONUS DEXTERITY – 5%
BONUS INTELLIGENCE – 18%
CHAOTIC ENHANCEMENT – Center the storm of chaos on this point and shoot it outward in a cone in front of you – All elements will combine at the tip of this staff, and you control the outburst timing. – (Cooldown – 2 hrs.)
I handed the staff back to Leo, “Damn, that staff is impressive,” I said as he took it from my hand.
“It wasn’t as impressive before my evolution. The intellect bonus went up by ten percent after the evolution, so I wonder if ten percent will be added to any other staff I wield,” Leo responded thoughtfully.
A moment of silence passed between the group, and suddenly a memory popped into my head. I looked at Sen. “I thought your wife was making dinner?” I asked, the realization hitting me.
Sen’s eyes widened with more fear than I thought he was capable of showing. Without a word, he sprinted from the inn, vanishing into the night, not even waving goodbye.
I slowly looked back at the group. “Should we… uh…” I started to suggest, but everyone shook their heads before I could finish. Even Wyguall didn’t look like he wanted any part of that situation; his eyes showed empathy for the poor man.
Trish tugged at my hand, her voice soft. “Babe, can we go to bed? I’m really tired.”
I glanced at her and knew immediately she wanted to talk more than sleep. Smiling, I said my goodnights to the group and followed after Trish, who was already heading up the stairs.
Wyguall caught me before I got too far. “James, I’ve sent word to the castle. Our trip will be delayed a bit. We should start weeding out these bandits tomorrow.”
I nodded in agreement. “Yeah, I was going to bring that up in the morning,” I responded.
Wyguall nodded in return, and I made my way upstairs. As I approached the door to our room, a sense of unease washed over me. I wasn’t sure I wanted to have this conversation yet, but if not now, when?
I entered the room, and Trish sat at the edge of the bed waiting, her eyes following me as I closed the door behind me. She patted the bed next to her. I walked over and sat down. The silence stretched between us, heavy with unspoken words. Trish’s patience was palpable, but I could feel the weight of what she was holding back, just as much as I felt my own hesitation to speak.
Finally, after what felt like an eternity, I forced the words out. “What happened at the encampment?” My voice came out quieter than I intended, the fear of the answer twisting in my gut.
Trish’s gaze fell to the floor, and I noticed her hands begin to tremble in mine. “I take it Sen and you spoke about it?” she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
I nodded, not trusting myself to speak again as I watched her closely.
She stood and walked over to her bag in the corner of the room, pulling something out. Her shoulders tensed as she held the object tightly in her hands, almost as if she was afraid of what it represented. “I got this… from the serpent. It’s a scale, or at least I think that’s what it is,” she explained, her voice shaking slightly. “It says it gives those who would harm me a… change in attitude.” She hesitated before walking back to me, holding out the small object.
The scale was unlike anything I’d seen before. It shimmered with an iridescence that shifted from deep violet to an almost black, midnight blue. Its teardrop shape felt ominous in my hand as I turned it over, studying it. The weight of the scale was light, but it carried a sense of foreboding, as if something far darker lay beneath its gleaming surface.
“It didn’t just make them mad, James,” Trish said, her voice cracking as she sat down next to me. “It twisted them. I didn’t realize what I had done until it was too late. They weren’t just attacking each other… they were tearing each other apart, like animals.” Her hands covered her face as she shuddered at the memory.
I reached out, gently squeezing her shoulder. “Why didn’t you tell me?” I asked, softer this time.
“I… I didn’t know how,” she whispered. “I was afraid you’d see me differently. Afraid of what I’d done.” Her eyes met mine, wide and pleading. “I don’t want to use that kind of power again. I want to fight on my own, with my own strength. That’s why I’ve been training so hard with the chakrams. It feels… right. But this… this scale, it scares me.”
I looked down at the scale in my hand, its dark sheen almost mocking me with its beauty. “We’ll figure this out,” I said firmly, setting the scale down beside us. “We will find out what to do with this… thing. I will hold onto it, so you don’t have too anymore.”
She nodded slowly, relief softening the tension in her shoulders. “Thank you,” she whispered, leaning into me as I wrapped my arms around her. The weight of the scale still lingered between us, but for now, we had time.
I held the scale up in front of my face, I think I will have Leo look into this, maybe he can learn more about it as an alchemist. I thought to myself as I studied the scale.