The next few days started before the sun would peak as I made my way to Muldra’s shop, the scent of earth and minerals thick in the air as I descended back into the intricate tunnel system. Each lesson was exciting but demanding. Muldra was a harsh teacher, but I’d come to appreciate her for it. Rarely did she offer a compliment, which made me work even harder to earn her approval.
Then, the moment I’d been hoping for arrived.
"I believe you’re ready to cut this gem now,” she said, holding out the purple-white stone. To my surprise, it finally showed a name.
“Eclipseria, what an interesting name.” I murmured, turning the gem in my hand.
Muldra’s grin widened. “Aye, but its properties are what make it truly rare,” she said, her eyes gleaming with a mix of respect and excitement. “This gem has a gift… though I’ll leave it to your own hands to discover its full potential. There’s enough here for two perfect cuts. Once you’ve carved it proper-like, you’ll come to understand why this stone is so coveted.”
She paused, then added with a rare softness in her tone, “I’d like to be the one to make the first split, to be sure it’s done right. And if you’d allow me, I’d be honored to carve one half myself. It’s been decades since I last handled one of these beauties, and I’d love to shape it again.” Her voice held a childlike wonder, as if speaking to an old friend.
I nodded in response. If this was truly as rare an occasion as she made it out to be, who was I to deny her the chance to work on half of it? Besides, this was a learning opportunity. Watching how Muldra manipulated the gem, every precise movement and practiced cut, would help me minimize my own mistakes. If I was going to handle something as powerful as [Eclipseria], I needed to absorb every lesson she had to offer.
Muldra sat across from me, her eyes sharp as flint as she held it under the magnifying lens. With practiced care, she began to make the first cuts, guiding her blade along the edges with a precision only years of experience could bring. As she worked, I could see the rough, unpolished gem begin to transform, the light catching on each newly cut facet and refracting into subtle bursts of purple and white.
"An Asscher cut," she murmured, almost to herself, as her tools chipped away at the gem with delicate, deliberate taps. The square shape began to take form, each step-down facet revealing the gem’s inner clarity. She rotated the gem with each cut, her steady hands carving deeper angles that brought depth to the gem. With each precise slice, the edges sharpened into a striking, layered symmetry, creating the illusion of a staircase that seemed to lead into the gem’s heart.
The more Muldra cut, the more the gem’s power seemed to hum faintly in the air around us. I felt a strange, shifting energy wrap around me, a sensation that was hard to place; like watching light filter through a storm cloud. Glancing down, I noticed my hands looked… different. The shadows and reflections around me seemed to play tricks on my perception, blending me with the background or casting an almost ethereal light.
Muldra gave a satisfied grunt, pausing to inspect her work. “Seein’ it now, are ya?” she asked, glancing up at me with a knowing look. “This stone don’t just hold light, it shifts it, bends it to hide what lies within.”
I nodded, transfixed by the gem’s transformation. The [Eclipseria] didn’t just alter how I saw the world; it changed how the world might see me, cloaking me in an ambiguity that felt both celestial and abyssal.
Finally, I was able to see the gem for what it was, and it made sense why it had been so elusive, its true nature hidden until now.
[Eclipseria] - The Veilstone of Duality. This gem holds an unparalleled power to cloak the wearer in ambiguity, blurring the lines between celestial and abyssal energies. When wielded, Eclipseria bends perception, casting an aura of uncertainty around its bearer. Allies and enemies alike will see only fragments of the truth, unable to determine if the wearer is a force of light or darkness. When carved to perfection, even the most powerful beings cannot discern the wearer’s allegiance or origin, making them appear both divine and forbidden in equal measure.
“Once you get one of these beauties set…” Muldra looked up from the gem with a grin, her eyes gleaming. “You can control what others see. Celestial or abyssal; you pick. Or maybe you want folks to sense a certain kind of power? This gem’ll do it for ya,” she said, holding the gem to the light. “And no one’s the wiser,” she added with a soft, knowing chuckle.
She reached out, placing the gem gently in my hand and closing my fingers around it, patting my knuckles with surprising warmth. I could see the genuine appreciation in her eyes, a look I hadn’t seen before.
“Muldra, would you like to keep this half?” I offered, feeling like it was only right.
She chuckled as she turned, settling herself back into her chair. “Boy, if I was still young, I wouldn’t hesitate to take you up on that. But at my age, I got no need to hide who I am.” She leaned back with a sigh, almost wistful. “I’m not lookin’ to go on adventures outside this cave anymore.”
She gave me a nod toward the table. “Now, you get to work on that other half. I’m curious to see the shape you choose. And this time, I ain’t checkin’ a single cut until you’re done.”
I wasn’t sure whether to feel proud that she trusted me to finish it alone, or a bit uneasy, wondering if she’d decided to carve her half because she half-expected me to mess up mine. Taking a steadying breath, I pushed the thought aside, positioned myself at the table, and got to work.
After painstaking hours, I held up my finished piece: a Briolette cut. The gem’s teardrop shape gleamed with countless facets, each angle catching and refracting the faint light, casting a shifting, almost ethereal glow. As I turned it in my hand, it seemed as if the power within pulsed softly, as though alive, hinting at the complex magic woven through its crystalline form.
Muldra observed my work from her seat, a satisfied gleam in her eye. “Not bad, boy. You’ve done it justice. That cut… it’ll let the gem’s ability flow more precisely once it’s set. When it’s finally embedded in the right item, you’ll be able to control how others perceive you, letting you slip between appearances with ease. Until then, you’ll have to wait a bit to see its full potential.”
I glanced down at the Briolette, imagining the possibilities. Even now, it wasn’t just a beautiful stone; it was a powerful tool, a way to blend in or stand out as I chose, if used correctly.
I carefully placed both the Asscher and Briolette cuts into a small leather pouch and bid Muldra farewell, making my way directly to the jeweler’s shop in the artisan’s quarter. After some inquiries, I learned that some jewelers had the skill to craft rings that could adjust to fit whoever wore them, a valuable trait for what I had in mind. After speaking with a few craftsmen, the name that kept coming up was Asher.
When I stepped into his shop, I was surprised by how humble the space was. Instead of a grand display of glimmering jewels, there were a few simple cases flanking the entrance with only a handful of pieces on display. At the back of the room, behind a modest counter, stood the jeweler himself.
Asher’s face broke into a warm smile as I approached, his short black and grey-spotted fur catching the light. His keen, slit-pupiled eyes shone with a relaxed, genuine friendliness, and his pointed ears perked up attentively. When he spoke, his fangs flashed briefly, adding a hint of wildness to his otherwise graceful, agile demeanor. “Hello! Welcome to my shop,” he greeted in a light, hearty tone. “I’m Asher. What can I do for you today?”
I returned his smile and gave a polite wave. “Nice to meet you, Asher. I’m James, and I’ve got a bit of a unique gem here. From what I’ve heard, you might be the man to help me set it.”
His yellow-green eyes, already bright with curiosity, seemed to light up further. “A unique gem, you say?” he repeated, his voice a blend of excitement and intrigue.
I pulled the Asscher cut from the pouch, holding it out for him to inspect. “I’d like this set into a ring that changes size depending on who’s wearing it.”
Asher’s eyes widened, his ears twitching with interest. He took the gem carefully, glancing from it to me with a look that was half awe, half disbelief. “I… I’ve heard stories about these gems, but I never thought I’d actually hold one, let alone set it in a ring.” His voice dropped to an almost reverent whisper.
I waited as he sat back on his stool, turning the gem over and inspecting it with clear admiration. Finally, he looked up, still staring at the stone. “This won’t be a cheap setting, especially for the kind of band you’re asking for.”
“Don’t worry,” I replied, bracing for the price. “I came to the best jeweler in town for a reason. I’m ready for the bill.”
He chuckled, shaking his head. “No, you misunderstand,” he said, leaning forward, his expression suddenly serious. “The cost isn’t about my skill; it’s about the risk that comes with setting this stone.”
“Risk?” I repeated, caught off guard. “Wait, there’s a risk just to set it?”
Asher nodded, his whiskers twitching. “Not as high as the one for carving it, mind you, but enough that it could end up… permanently altering your appearance,” he said with a shrug, like this was an everyday inconvenience.
My jaw dropped. “What?! So carving it could have…” I stopped myself, taking a breath as the realization hit me. “That… crazy woman…”
Asher’s ears perked up, clearly amused. “Excuse me?”
“Just… Muldra,” I muttered, my irritation flaring. “She didn’t mention that carving it could have changed my face permanently.”
He laughed, his fangs flashing as he leaned back, enjoying every second of my discomfort. “Let me guess, you didn’t ask?”
“Of course not! I didn’t know I needed to! Who would think to ask if handling a gem might leave you unrecognizable?”
Asher shook with laughter, finally calming enough to wipe a tear from his eye. “Well, in her defense, she probably thought you’d catch on, considering the risks of carving other gems. She likes people to figure things out the hard way.”
“So gem carving is dangerous in general, and she just left that part out?!” I groaned, mentally rehashing every interaction with Muldra. “Alright, I’m definitely giving her a piece of my mind when I get back.”
“Good luck with that!” Asher laughed again, leaning back on his stool. “But hey, credit where it’s due; she’s never had a student actually die on her watch.
“Not that I know of, anyway…” I muttered, more to myself than to him.
Asher’s laughter slowed, and he raised an eyebrow, his ears flicking with amusement. “You realize, you’re her first student. Ever.”
I blinked, trying to process that. “Wait, you’re saying I’m her first? Like, in her whole life?”
Asher nodded, clearly enjoying the surprise on my face. “Yep. She’s never taken on anyone else. You’ve got to be either really talented or really stubborn to catch her interest like that.”
I ran a hand through my hair, both frustrated and oddly proud. “Would’ve been nice to know she was breaking tradition here,” I muttered.
Asher chuckled, his fangs flashing in a wide grin. “Oh, she probably thought you’d figure that out too.”
“Wait, Jonn wasn’t a student of hers?” I asked, holding out hope that maybe he was the exception.
Asher, clearly enjoying this far too much, tilted his head thoughtfully, his eyes bright with amusement. “Jonn?” He looked to the ceiling as if pulling the name from a distant memory. “Oh, yes. Jonn. No, he’s not a student of hers. He just rents out a tunnel in her mines. In exchange for a discount, he teaches newcomers the basics of mining. When they’re ready, Muldra usually sends them off to a jeweler’s shop to learn cutting from someone else.”
The tale has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.
I didn’t know whether to rage at the thought of being her first actual student—or feel some twisted sense of pride that the crazy old mole had decided to teach me herself. Though, the thought that she’d put me through rounds with lesser gems first, probably to spare me any fatal mistakes, did calm me… a little.
Asher, noticing the internal battle likely written all over my face, chuckled. “Ah, don’t let it eat at you too much,” he said with a reassuring grin. “I’ll take all the necessary precautions, make sure the ring does exactly what it’s supposed to; no surprises, no accidental transformations.”
“Thanks, Asher. And please, call me if there’s… anything unexpected.”
“Oh, believe me, I will.” His eyes gleamed as he slid the gem into a small compartment, handling it with utmost care. “Come back in a few days, and I’ll have it ready for you.”
As I left the jeweler’s, thoughts spun in my mind. What would I do with the other cut? Armor or shield, maybe? Could I even remove it if I wanted to swap later? Perhaps a necklace… but I didn’t want to rush into anything. I’d ask Theron; he’d know the best approach.
At the inn, I ordered an ale and settled in, knowing my friends wouldn’t show up for another hour or two. I decided a training session with Star might clear my mind.
Hey, Star? I called inwardly.
“Yes?” Star’s response was immediate, as if it had been waiting.
Let’s train a bit. Might help me focus.
In an instant, I was back in that peaceful, star-filled realm. The air was cool, and I felt the ground solid under my feet. I pulled Star from my hip, summoning my shield from my inventory, and lowered into a stance, ready to dive into practice.
I moved into piercing stance first, feeling each step and strike flow. Target dummies materialized around me as I fell into the familiar rhythm, moving through the dance of death, blocking attacks, striking back in perfect harmony with each shift of my weight.
Suddenly, the world shifted, and I found myself seeing through another’s eyes, a memory, vivid and real.
A man’s voice sounded firm and wise. “You know the dance of death, boy, but battle isn’t always about killing.” I recognized the view of the world as if I were looking through someone else’s eyes. “There’s another dance. One of defense. I call it the shield wall dance.”
The voice came from a seasoned warrior, his gaze steady and full of experience. I looked down; this man’s hands were my own, though they held not Star, but a different flail and shield, his fingers calloused and sure.
The young man responded, his voice now deeper and more mature than the boy I’d seen before. “Why would I need this dance if I can take out my enemies before they strike?” His tone wasn’t dismissive, just genuinely curious.
“Because, boy,” the master replied, his voice steady, “when you’re facing hundreds or thousands, and your allies fight alongside you, killing isn’t enough. Sometimes, you must be the wall they can depend on, the shield that stands firm when others would falter. That’s your role, to hold the line.”
The young man’s gaze grew serious, his eyes set on the horizon. “I hope there’s never a day I need to use these teachings, master,” he said quietly. His tone wasn’t fearful, just heavy with a reluctant understanding.
“Aye,” the master replied, his own voice softening with a tinge of regret. “None of us want that day to come.” Then he added, his voice hardening with purpose, “But you’ll be ready if it does. Now, get into stance.”
Back in the moment, the young man adjusted his grip, positioning his shield ahead. This dance was different, his flail held low, only coming up to deflect or divert attacks. Every move led with the shield, creating an impenetrable wall, his strikes secondary to his defensive focus. He moved in sync with his shield, each shift calculated, his steps grounded, his balance unbreakable.
“Good,” the master said, watching with approval. “Remember, true power lies in standing firm when others would fall. The shield wall dance isn’t just defense. It’s shelter, a promise that you’ll hold back the storm to give your allies a chance.”
The young man’s stance steadied as he sank into the rhythm, the purpose of his actions becoming clearer with each step. He was no longer just a fighter; he was a guardian, a protector, and every movement strengthened that resolve.
Dummies sprang up around him, some standing behind him marked with green, allies to protect. Others, marked red, encircled the small group, their forms crowding closer. Hundreds of red dummies closed in, weapons raised.
The young man’s flail wasn’t a weapon for striking these foes down; it was a shield, knocking arrows and spells off course. Each move intercepted a ranged attack or turned a blade aimed at his allies. For every strike that connected with an enemy, there was another to defend those behind him.
Then, the dummies multiplied, thousands now pressing in from all sides. His focus wavered as he struggled to defend each ally while parrying incoming blows. At times, he faltered, an attack slipping past him toward a green-marked figure. The master stepped in, offering quick corrections, pointing out where his stance had left him vulnerable or how he could’ve anticipated an attack.
They reset the drill, and he started again, the pressure mounting. The boy’s frustration was evident; his instincts called for him to strike down the dummies. But his resolve held as he forced himself to focus, using his shield to block and his flail to deflect, determined to become the wall his allies needed.
The master watched him intently, arms crossed. “Remember, boy,” he called over the din, “it’s not about striking them down. It’s about being the last one standing between your allies and the threat. That’s your duty.”
Then, I was no longer seeing through the master’s eyes; I was seeing through the young man’s. He nodded, resolute. “Yes, master.”
I could feel each motion he made as if it were my own, a familiar sense of bonding taking over. It felt as though we were controlling the body together, each strike and block precise. The vision began to blur and fade as I returned to my own body, still moving instinctively to block and deflect. A red glow radiated from me, and a golden barrier encircled the green-marked dummies I was protecting.
I stayed within the shield wall dance a little longer, focusing on understanding and memorizing each movement, feeling the contrast from the dance of death. In the latter, I’d step into attacks, but in this defensive rhythm, my steps moved to intercept incoming strikes, treating the enemies’ intent as my true target. Each action placed my allies’ safety above the urge to attack.
After a while, I opened my menu, curious about the red glow around me and the golden barrier around the allies. I noticed that my shield’s enchantment had evolved with the new rhythm.
CELESTIAL ENHANCEMENT – [Rhythm of the Drum] During battle, the shield pulses with a steady rhythm, emboldening you and your allies. It increases each ally’s highest stat by 5% or shields them, transferring 20% of the damage taken to you while increasing your speed by 10%. The effect lasts as long as you maintain either the dance of death or the shield wall dance in rhythm.
I blinked, surprised. Did my class evolve again… already? I asked Star.
“I don’t think so,” Star replied thoughtfully. “I believe new dances simply modify its effects.”
That made sense, it seemed too soon for another evolution. I was about to tell Star I was ready to return when the unexpected happened.
The Briolette-cut [Eclipseria] floated from the pouch at my side and began spinning in a slow, swirling pattern before picking up speed. It blurred into a whirlwind of purple and white streaks, faster and faster; until it simply… vanished.
“What the f…” I muttered, looking around frantically. I checked the pouch, each pocket, even my inventory. But it was gone, as if it had dissolved into thin air.
I sank to the ground, leaning back against a wall that had appeared behind me; probably Star’s doing, preventing me from toppling over entirely.
“Well, that’s… odd.” I ran my hands over my face, half-expecting something to be different. “Do these gems normally just disappear? Did I mess it up? Am I, like, permanently changed now?”
Everything felt normal, but my mind raced through the possibilities, bracing for some unexpected transformation.
“James… I think that…” Star began, hesitating in a way that was unusual for him.
I looked down, following the haft of the weapon, and that’s when I saw it, a faint glimmer at the base of Star’s handle. The purple and white hues of the [Eclipseria] were unmistakable, embedded seamlessly into the bottom of the haft, as though it had always belonged there.
“What... did it just fuse with you?” I asked, still in disbelief.
“That appears to be the case,” Star replied, sounding as baffled as I felt.
I quickly inspected Star.
[Starlit Eclipser]
Effects will increase as you grow your spirit bond with the weapon. Bonuses round up to the nearest whole number.
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.
[Eclipseria Socketed] – At you will exude an essence of celestial, neutral, or abyssal energies. As a bonus effect for being imbedded into a legendary item you may ({UNAVAILABLE} Must be Adventurer rank or higher before unlocking) at will.
The implications of what that could mean raced through my mind, but sitting around and overthinking wouldn’t get me any closer to mastering this power. Leveling up, on the other hand, would.
I focused on shifting the gem’s perception effect. Willing it to celestial, I waited... but nothing changed. Star remained as it was, a familiar presence with a soft glow. So, I shifted to neutral next. In an instant, Star’s form shifted to something much simpler, a basic flail, devoid of any celestial aura, humble and unassuming.
Then, I willed abyssal, and the transformation hit like a storm. Shadows surged around me, creeping across my skin and then wrapping over my armor. They solidified into a dark, leather-like armor with a hood that dropped low over my face, casting everything in shadow. Star’s appearance was the most jarring: it turned jet black and red, the flail head ominously adorned with sharp, vicious spikes. Shadows trailed from the chain, dripping from the spikes in an almost liquid form, adding an eerie, otherworldly aura.
As if reading my curiosity, Star formed a mirror before me, and I took in the sight with a mix of awe and discomfort. Beneath the hood, faint purple lights glowed where my eyes should be, and shadows drifted upwards from my body, giving me a menacing, spectral look.
The effect was more intense than I’d expected, and a chill ran down my spine. With a deep breath, I shifted back to celestial, and in a flash of bright light, the shadows retreated, leaving me as I was, familiar and grounded once more.
I couldn’t help but wonder why my transformed appearance seemed so much more… terrifying than Max’s. Wasn’t he supposed to be the stealthy one?
Star’s voice cut through my thoughts, offering an answer. “I think it’s because of the power you wield as a celestial. That same presence, when turned abyssal, projects a darker, more imposing force. Max’s class is rooted in subtlety and remaining unseen, while yours is designed to be unmistakably visible; commanding attention.”
That explanation hit the mark, easing the uncertainty lingering in my mind. The power dynamic between celestial and abyssal was clearer now. My class wasn’t just about strength; it was about presence, about being a force others couldn’t ignore.
I nodded to myself, then let Star know I was ready to return to the realm and wait for my friends. It was time to ground myself, to reflect, and maybe even figure out what our next step was.
As I waited, my thoughts returned to the transformation. It hadn’t seemed to affect any of my abilities, but I realized I hadn’t really tested them in that form. Next time, I’d need to see if the switch altered the way they functioned or even just how they looked; if it was only a cosmetic change, or if it carried any hidden impact.
The others started arriving, their voices a soft hum of conversation that filled the room. I glanced around, noticing Max was still absent. His training must have been running longer than he’d anticipated. Maybe he was pushing for a breakthrough, or perhaps the Florentine trainer Wyguall had introduced him to was proving especially rigorous.
While I waited, I opened my menu, skimming through the details to inspect recent changes.
OPTIONS
CLASS – STARS ASCENT
STATS
INVENTORY – LIMITED BAG SPACE
PROFESSION – BLACKSMITHING / Gem Cutting
I inspected my professions.
BLACKSMITHING – JOURNEYMAN 278/700
GEM CUTTING – MASTER 3172/2988991
I didn’t even realize I had hit Master rank in gem cutting until I checked my menu. Crafting the [Eclipseria] must have given me a massive boost in profession experience, catapulting me from Journeyman to Master in one fell swoop. My other stats and class info hadn’t changed, but I now sat at roughly fifty thousand gold, mostly from Muldra selling gems on my behalf, taking her share as payment. I knew fifty thousand total sounded like a lot, but in the grand scheme of things, it was a modest start.
Just as I closed my menu, I noticed Max walking through the door. He looked... different. His shoulders were broader, his arms more muscular, and he seemed to have grown a couple of inches. Not only that, but he had two sleek new blades sheathed at his hips.
I stood up, grinning, and extended my hand. "Good to see you again, bro. Looks like you've gone through some big changes."
Max took my hand, squeezing firmly to show off his new strength, and I returned the grip with respect. We then pulled into a quick hug.
"Florentine training, man," Max said with a smirk as we broke apart. "Turns out it's no joke."
Leo got up to shake his hand, patting Max’s shoulder. "Damn, man, you sized up!"
Max chuckled, running a hand over his shoulder. "Yeah, it wasn’t just the techniques. The trainer pushed me to my absolute limits. Told me I had to be ready for whatever was coming next."
I couldn’t help but glance at the new weapons at his hips. "And I see you’ve got some fresh gear, too. Looks like your arsenal just got serious."
Max patted the hilts of his blades, a gleam of satisfaction in his eyes. "Yep, custom-made and sharp as hell. Light enough for dual wielding without slowing me down."
Leo shook his head, laughing. "If I didn’t know better, I’d say we just got a brand-new teammate!"
I slid a mug across the table to Max as he took a seat, eager to hear more. "So, tell us about it. How was training?"
Max took a sip, then leaned back, grinning. "Let me tell you, it wasn’t just about raw strength. It was all about precision, speed... and patience." He paused, chuckling as if remembering something. "Never thought I'd say this but turns out patience is a skill in itself. And damn if I didn’t need it."
As he spoke, I could feel a surge of pride for my friend. It seemed like we were all pushing our limits, and none of us were the same as when we’d first stepped into this journey.