I was happy for my friend and his newfound confidence, but it was time to steer the conversation toward something more serious.
“Hey guys,” I began, leaning forward and lowering my voice, “I think it’s time we head to the Depths. I’d say we’re more than ready at this point.”
Max’s cheerful expression shifted to a mix of confusion and worry. “I know our levels and stats are way better now, but… you and Trish don’t exactly have a way to cloak yourselves.” He paused, noticing the grin starting to spread across my face. “Alright, explain why you’re looking like a guy who just got a girl’s number.”
I laughed, though Max’s comment quickly lost its humor when I glanced at Trish. I cleared my throat to recover. “Well, I, uh, may have found a little item that can fix that problem.”
They all exchanged curious glances before turning back to me.
“Well, spill it already,” Leo said, leaning in.
“Remember that purple-white gem I found a while back?” I asked. They nodded, and I launched into an explanation of the ring being crafted by Asher, and how the [Eclipseria] embedded within it could cloak the wearer’s aura and features. I also mentioned that we’d pass the ring between Max and Trish depending on who needed it more, based on the faction we were dealing with.
“That’s awesome, don’t get me wrong,” Mel said, nodding with approval, “but… what about you?”
I smiled, patting Star’s haft.
Star’s voice chimed in, sounding amused but cautious. “We do still need to test this gem, James.”
I know, I replied, a hint of reluctance in my tone. It just… threw me off at first.
“I understand that” Star replied with a slight hesitation. “It was… an adjustment for me as well. But we’ll need to be comfortable with it.”
Does it feel like that for everyone, I wonder? I asked, hoping he might have an answer.
“As much as I’d love to help with that, I honestly don’t know,” Star replied, his tone tinged with regret.
We’ll ask around, I replied, adding it to the ever-growing list of questions.
Max interrupted my mental exchange with Star, eyeing me with growing impatience. “So, as much as I enjoy trying to guess what’s going on in that head of yours… I’m not going to try to puzzle this out. How does Star help you cloak, exactly?”
“Well, I had two gems originally. I was planning to find Theron to learn the right way to slot one into my shield or armor… but it seems fate had other plans.” I reached down, lifting Star to show them the base of the haft where the gem now resided.
They all stared, clearly puzzled, as they tried to process what they were seeing. “So… you decided to put it in Star instead?” Leo ventured; his brows knitted in confusion.
I shook my head. “Not exactly, at least, not by choice.”
Trish cut in, sarcasm lacing her tone. “Let me guess: the gem just magically floated out of your bag and slotted itself into Star?” She laughed, but it died quickly when she caught the serious look on my face. “No freaking way…”
“Yeah.” I nodded, grinning. “That’s exactly what happened. While we were in Star’s realm training and meditating.” I paused, feeling a surge of excitement. “By the way, I learned a new stance dance, which evolved my celestial abilities even further, long story,” I added, brushing it off with a wave. “Anyway, after that session, the gem literally did float right out of my bag and embedded itself in Star. I think it’s giving me an extra benefit, too, since Star’s a legendary weapon. But we won’t know for sure what it is until I reach Adventurer rank.”
They exchanged wide-eyed glances, each of them processing what this could mean.
Leo let out a low whistle. “You’re telling me this thing just chose Star? Like it had a mind of its own?”
“Looks that way.” I shrugged. “I’ll admit, it freaked me out at first. But now, I’m starting to think it’s… kind of perfect.” I glanced down at Star, a small smile creeping across my face. “Whatever’s in store, I’m ready for it.”
Trish’s gaze softened, curiosity flickering in her eyes. “Well, here’s hoping it doesn’t decide to ‘evolve’ you next,” she teased, though there was genuine awe in her tone.
I raised an eyebrow, giving her a mock-serious look, but she saw right through it, catching the smile threatening to break across my face. She smacked my arm, rolling her eyes when she spotted the twitch at the corners of my lips.
“Actually,” I said, my excitement rising, “I’d like to head to the training grounds tonight to show you all what it can do. Plus, I can walk you through my new upgrade and the stance dance I learned.”
They exchanged eager glances, then shrugged, standing up without a word. The energy was electric as they followed me, clearly just as curious as I was to see what new surprises lay in store.
We arrived at the training grounds, which, thankfully, were empty. I’ll admit, a part of me was nervous that this transformation might draw some… unwelcome attention if people upstairs caught wind of it.
“Alright, I’m going to start with the shield wall dance,” I explained, pulling up the training interface. “Let’s get some dummies out here for you guys to fight while I play the wall.” I scanned through the options until one caught my eye, a setting that looked either perfect or slightly suicidal.
“Here we go,” I said, still focused on the screen. “So, basically, you guys will fight, and I’ll hold the line between you and the enemies.”
They all nodded, weapons ready.
“Six hundred attack dummies…coming up.” I mumbled the last part, just loud enough for them to hear.
“Six hundred?!” they chorused in disbelief.
I just grinned as I hit “accept.” Their reactions were priceless.
The dummies started spawning in, surrounding us on all sides. Max and Mel’s grips tightened around their weapons, and I saw Trish and Leo positioning themselves, Trish adjusting her chakrams while whispering a few pre-battle spells. Leo’s staff spun in front of him, a series of colors flashing through his eyes as he gathered his magic.
I had a gut feeling that even six hundred might not be enough, but it’d make a good demonstration. With a roar, I activated [Celestial Battle Cry], drawing every dummy’s attention to me. As they turned, I smiled. They charged like a tidal wave, some wielding heavy weapons, others brandishing bows or more nimble blades. Arrows rained down, and I immediately fell into the shield wall dance, my body moving on instinct, deflecting projectiles and blocking attacks with Star.
Max tore into the dummies like an unstoppable storm, his strikes brutal and unrelenting. Trish’s chakrams danced along the edges, slicing through any dummies pushed back by Leo’s explosive spells. Mel smashed her way through, using one of the dummies’ bodies as a makeshift weapon.
I kept my focus, maintaining the dance as I deflected and blocked, allowing no attack to pass me. It felt… almost too easy. Then, as if reading my thoughts, the number of dummies seemed to triple. Maybe even quadruple. I lost count somewhere after fifty; all I could see was an endless horde rushing in.
What began as a fun demo quickly transformed into a full-on battle, a relentless surge of dummies crashing into our defenses. This had gone from training to an all-out war.
My friends continued tearing through the ranks, cutting down dummies left and right, while I held the line with newfound urgency. My movements shifted, quick and precise, no longer the casual demonstration I’d started with. This was about keeping every single one of my friends safe, no matter how many dummies tried to break through.
Then an idea struck, I couldn’t have asked for a better time to test out my new ability. I shifted from the shield wall dance into the dance of death, blending between tempest and striking stances. With a deep breath, I summoned [Fury of the Heavens], unleashing a roar like none I’d ever made before. The sound reverberated off the walls, an echo of pure, unrestrained power.
In that moment, I felt my body lift off the ground as a brilliant blue-gold light enveloped me. Tiny comet-like streaks of light burst forth from the aura that swirled around me, each one blazing into the ranks of dummies below. My roar intensified, and beams of light shot from my eyes, illuminating the sky above with an intense, ethereal glow. The aura around me expanded, casting a golden radiance across the battlefield, and the number of comets multiplied, each one hurtling forward like a celestial barrage against the horde surrounding us.
I couldn’t direct each comet, but it didn’t matter; the destruction they left in their wake was overwhelming. Hundreds of dummies exploded into splinters, scattered across the field. Those that managed to push closer were shredded by Mel and Max, their weapons ripping through with unrelenting force. On the outskirts, Leo’s powerful spells and Trish’s chakrams tore into the remaining ranks, the chakrams whirling through like furious hornets.
Within seconds, every last dummy was either obliterated by the celestial barrage or reduced to scraps by my friends’ relentless onslaught. As the final comet struck and the dust settled, I canceled the remaining time on my ability, letting the light fade as I slowly drifted back down to the ground, feeling the weight of the power settle within me.
Laughter and applause erupted from behind us, filling the training grounds with cheers. We spun around, startled. Wyguall and Theron stood nearby, both laughing with pride, as a crowd had gathered to watch. Some people even perched on nearby rooftops for a better view.
“By the gods, man, that was bloody impressive!” Theron’s voice boomed, his grin wide.
Wyguall nodded, his gaze sweeping over our group. “I’ve seen each of you fight, and I was disappointed to miss the battle at the ruins. You’re all more powerful now, but it’s not just your strength; it’s the way you move together that shows why you survived so well.” His voice held a note of pride.
Theron chimed in, “He’s right. You don’t even seem to notice how seamlessly you fight as a unit. The way you move, Leo and Trish taking the outer ranks, Max and Mel tearing through anyone who gets close; it’s like watching a finely tuned machine.”
From the rooftop, a goblin child called out, “Did you see how fast Max shot that arrow at the dummy sneaking up on Leo?!”
Another voice chimed in, “And Mel leaping over Trish to smash the one right behind her!”
“Don’t forget those chakrams slicing through to take out three dummies about to swarm Max!” someone else added, their excitement echoing.
“And Leo kept the whole swarm in check with those crazy fire and lightning spells!” yelled a voice from across the grounds.
Theron raised his hand, catching the crowd’s attention. “Let’s not overlook the one who danced around his party, as if forming a shielded wall around them.”
A young onlooker shouted, “He was moving so fast I didn’t know he was there till he started floatin’ up the sky and turnin’ all glowy and stuff!”
The author's narrative has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.
I turned, grinning at the crowd gathered around us, still buzzing from the display they’d just witnessed. But when I looked back, I noticed my group wasn’t focused on the crowd; they were all staring at me with expressions of awe.
“What?” I asked, genuinely confused.
“Kid’s right,” Mel said, still wide-eyed. “You moved so fast, you were a blur. I couldn’t even keep track of you. I just had to trust you wouldn’t let me accidentally clobber you.” Her tone held a mix of amazement and respect.
Max nodded, smirking. “Lucky for me, I could barely keep up with your moves… barely.”
Leo shook his head, gesturing extravagantly at the destroyed dummies around us. “What the hell, man? Was that your new ability, the fury of the heavens one?”
Trish’s eyes gleamed thoughtfully as she tilted her head. “Now I’m curious… If I threw a haste buff your way, how fast could you move?”
I chuckled, raising my hands in a mock defensive stance. “Hold on! That speed’s only possible in the shield wall dance. Outside of it, I’d be just as grounded as usual.” Then, with a grin, I added, “And yeah, Leo, that was the new ability.”
“Are you guys gonna go again?” a young voice piped up from the crowd.
We all laughed, and I responded with a grin, “No, that’s it for the night.” I shot a playful glare at Theron. “It wasn’t even supposed to get this far.”
Theron threw his hands up in mock surrender, a mischievous smile on his face. “Hey, Wyguall told me about the aftermath of your last battle, and he wanted to see what you could do!”
“Oh, like hells I did,” Wyguall retorted, adding extra emphasis on the words. “You’re the one who said you wanted to see how they fight together. All I said was that we could make it a little more interesting.”
They both laughed, and despite myself, I chuckled along with them. To be honest, it was pretty funny; and it let me see what this dance was capable of, plus I’d gotten to try out my new ability.
I glanced around, realizing I still needed the crowd to clear out before I could demonstrate the gem’s cloaking power. The last thing I needed was to possibly upset people around us with the effects of abyssal energies.
Theron seemed to pick up on the hint. “Alright, everyone!” His voice boomed across the grounds. “Training session’s over! Clear out and give these people some space!”
The crowd, kids and adults alike; groaned in disappointment, reluctantly shuffling away. A dome of light rose around us, casting a soft glow and offering just enough privacy for what I had in mind.
I nodded to Theron in thanks. “Alright, since you two are here, I might as well fill you in on what we’re about to do.” I explained that I was going to use the gem’s power to shift my aura from celestial to abyssal.
“The change shouldn’t affect us,” Theron replied, eyeing me with interest. “We’re here to witness the shift, which means we will know it's you as you shift.
“Right,” I said. “But I also want to test a few abilities to see if their appearance changes, too. When I tried it last, it completely transformed my look.”
Theron raised an eyebrow, intrigued. “It’s not supposed to do that. Usually, you’ll get slight feature adjustments and a matching aura, but it doesn’t typically alter someone’s appearance that much.”
I shrugged, stepping toward the center of the area. “Just stand back and watch. I can’t really explain it… not like I know much about how this works in the first place.”
The others took a few steps back, eyes locked on me, waiting to see what would unfold.
I activated the gem’s power for the second time. Shadows swirled around me, enshrouding my form before settling against my armor, shaping themselves into a deep, abyssal-black leather wrap that covered every inch of me. A hood formed over my head, draping down to a mask that obscured my face, while tendrils of shadow flickered from the edges of the newly forged armor, lingering like a dark aura. Star’s form shifted as well, its haft darkened to a midnight black with ominous red lines that pulsed faintly, swirling down to the spiked head where the red markings connected each vicious spike that dripped shadows off them.
I didn’t feel particularly different, yet… there was something subtly off, a new sense that was difficult to place. I opened my skills menu and inspected each one. Nothing had changed in the descriptions, and Star’s stats remained as they were before.
Star, do you… feel different? I asked, feeling an odd energy, I couldn’t quite identify.
“I feel…” Star hesitated; its usual confidence softened. “It’s as if something new is just out of reach, like a skill that’s there but… inaccessible?” Star seemed to pause, searching for the right words. “Do you feel it too?”
It’s hard to describe, I replied, sorting through the strange sensation. It’s similar to what you said—something lingering that we can’t quite grasp. Then, a thought struck me. Could it be that locked ability? The one we’re supposed to access when we reach Adventurer rank.
A soft hum reverberated through my mind as Star pondered this. “That would make sense,” it replied finally. “Until proven otherwise, let’s assume this new energy is tied to that rank requirement.”
While Star and I exchanged theories, I noticed the others circling me, inspecting the transformation with a mixture of intrigue and caution. Theron and Wyguall stood back, their expressions a mix of curiosity and confusion as they observed the stark contrast from my usual celestial aura.
“I want to try something,” I said aloud, bringing myself back to the moment. I activated [Celestial Sanctum]. Instead of the usual serene blue and gold, the dome that formed was a dark violet, laced with red tendrils that swirled outwards in an almost sinister dance. The effect was purely visual; no changes in the ability’s function, but the altered appearance added a chilling intensity.
“Now that’s different,” Theron commented, his eyes reflecting the violet-red glow of the dome. “Your abilities are only altered in form, not in effect.”
Wyguall nodded, studying the dome’s twisted hues with fascination. “This ability has retained its protective healing nature, but the appearance…” he trailed off, clearly impressed.
“Everyone, get back over here,” Theron called, his eyes focused intently as if reading through his menus. A faint smile tugged at the corner of his mouth. “Let’s run another test, James.”
I recognized that look immediately and braced myself, settling into a defensive stance, ready for whatever he had in store. I waited, watching to see how many dummies he’d summon.
When only ten appeared, I almost relaxed, but a second glance stopped me. These dummies were different, reinforced with more metal than usual, giving them a solid, intimidating presence. Their gaze, though blank, seemed sharper, more focused. I felt an eerie weight from each of them, as if they were sizing me up.
Then, all ten vanished, becoming swift blurs that circled around me. I calmed my breathing, tightened my stance, and closed my eyes briefly, centering myself. When I felt a faint shift to my left, I snapped my eyes open, shifting into tempest stance. It was time to engage the dance of death.
The shadows surrounding me expanded, moving in tandem with each swing of my flail and each block with my shield. They thickened around me, like a dense, dark fog. Oddly, I could see through the shadows just fine, while the dummies appeared to grow agitated, their movements less coordinated as they lashed out, desperate to land a strike. They began striking each other in confusion, their swings wild and misplaced.
This ability was incredible, a formidable tool if I were fighting alone. But it quickly became apparent that the thick shadow cloud would be challenging for a group fight, limiting my allies’ visibility. I attempted to will the shadows to shift or thin out, but found I had no control over their movement.
Suddenly, I heard footsteps, and Max appeared beside me, a wide grin lighting up his face. “Now you’re speaking my language!” he said, clearly exhilarated.
In response to Max joining, more dummies materialized, closing in around us. To my surprise, the shadows began to shift, strategically drifting around the battlefield in a controlled pattern. That’s when I realized; Max was the one guiding them, moving the shadows to control the flow of battle.
Excitement pulsed through me, and a smile spread across my face. Side by side, we carved through the dummies, using the shadows to confuse our opponents. Max pushed the shadows to obscure certain dummies, forcing others to attack from the angles we wanted, funneling them into our strikes. Some dummies grew frantic, stumbling over each other as they tried to push through the dense shadow.
Within seconds, the two of us had cleared the twenty or so dummies that Theron had summoned, leaving only wisps of shadow dissipating into the air.
I exhaled deeply, only then realizing I’d been holding my breath. Tendrils of shadow trailed out with the breath, curling lazily in the air before dissipating. “That… was absolutely awesome,” I said, grinning despite myself. I turned to Max, still catching my own breath. “Did it feel like any of my abilities had a different effect to you?”
He shook his head, a broad smile spreading across his face. “No, but dude, you look terrifying,” he said, pausing for dramatic effect before adding, “but, like, in a cool way.” We both broke into laughter.
“You’re incredible with those blades,” I said, nodding toward the swords sheathed at his sides. “And your ability to manipulate those shadows mid-fight? That’s a game changer. Honestly, I was worried the shadows would be a hindrance to the group, but you turned it into a huge advantage.”
Max’s grin widened as he tapped one of the hilts at his hip. “Yeah, it felt natural, like the shadows just… listened. I didn’t have to think about it too much; it was like they wanted to help me.” He glanced at the remnants of the shadowy tendrils still fading around us. “You’ve got something seriously powerful here, James. We’re gonna wreck whatever’s in our way with this.”
I nodded, confidence swelling within me. The synergy between us felt right, unshakable.
The others came up to us, their expressions a mix of awe and curiosity. Mel was the first to speak, her voice carrying a hint of amusement. “You two looked like a force of nature out there. Those shadows? Creepy as hell, but effective.”
Trish stepped closer, her eyes scanning the dissipating remnants of shadow. “James, that’s a lot of power. But Max controlling the shadows? That’s... unexpected. Can anyone else do that?”
Leo chimed in, scratching his chin thoughtfully. “It makes sense, in a way. Max’s class is called Shadow Archer, right? Those shadows play right into his strengths. They hid him perfectly while making the enemies focus on James.”
Max shrugged; his grin still plastered across his face. “I’m not complaining. I feel like this just gave me a whole new way to traverse the battlefield.”
“As much as I enjoyed watching the display,” Wyguall interjected through clenched teeth, “I think it might be time to swap back to your normal form.” His fists were balled tightly, and I noticed Theron releasing controlled, deliberate breaths. His arms were crossed, but his fingers dug into his sleeves as though holding back pain.
I instantly willed the gem to return me to the celestial aura, and I watched as Wyguall’s and Theron’s bodies visibly relaxed.
Wyguall shook his head as if clearing his thoughts. “That was much stronger than I would have guessed,” he said, exhaling deeply.
Theron watched me closely, his expression curious. “The moment I felt that abyssal aura, I realized my earlier theory, that it shouldn’t affect us, was very clearly wrong.” He paused, his gaze sharpening. “If I didn’t know you, I would have struck at you instantly. That aura felt as if a high-level abyssal player was standing right in front of me. Fighting the urge to take you down wasn’t easy, especially there at the end.”
Mel, Leo, and Trish exchanged confused looks.
“I didn’t feel anything like that,” Trish said, frowning slightly.
Theron nodded, his tone measured. “That’s because you’re in a party with him. When you’re bound to the same group, the aura doesn’t affect you in the same way. But anyone outside the party; especially someone with an opposing alignment, would feel it as a direct threat.”
Leo raised his hand slightly, his curiosity piqued. “Do you have a celestial class, Theron?”
“No,” Theron said, his voice low and laced with a faint edge. “But I’ve taken an oath to destroy any abyssal threat I encounter… for personal reasons.” A flicker of anger crept into his tone, making his meaning unmistakable.
“So even a player with a neutral class could feel something like that?” Mel asked, her brow furrowed.
Theron inclined his head. “Only if they’ve taken an oath against one of the factions. Without an oath, you’d sense the aura, but it wouldn’t provoke the same instinctive reaction.”
Wyguall joined the conversation, his tone calm but firm. “I made an oath years ago, for much the same reasons as Theron, which is why I feel the aura as strongly as he does.” He paused, ensuring he had everyone’s attention. “You must understand that even those of us born in this world must choose a side, if we wish to engage in the celestial-abyssal conflict. Not everyone agrees with the views of their people. Few are born into a race, and even fewer into a class, that is naturally aligned to either side.
He turned his gaze to Max, then to Trish and me. “Just because you two” he gestured to Trish and me, “are celestial-based classes, doesn’t make you inherently stronger than your counterparts.” His hand moved toward Max. “Yes, you deal more damage to the opposing faction, but you also take more damage in return. It’s a double-edged sword. That’s why it’s vital for you three to train hard; to ensure you’re prepared for any situation, especially against an opposing power.”
“If I take an oath like that, would it increase my power but weaken me further against the opposing side?” Leo asked, his tone thoughtful.
Theron and Wyguall both shook their heads in unison.
“No, it doesn’t work like that,” Theron explained. “Taking the oath doesn’t change your power or weaknesses. It simply allows you to sense the presence of those aligned with the opposing faction. However, it also means they’ll sense you as a threat. That’s not something to take lightly. And you should know, not all abyssal; or Depth Dwellers, as you call them, are bad. Most of them are just ordinary people, much like us up here. They simply live by different laws and hold different views of the world.”
Wyguall nodded, adding with a somber tone, “I had a childhood best friend who was a Depth Dweller. He wasn’t a bad person, far from it. But because of the oath I made in anger and hatred, I can’t see him anymore. The oath draws an unbreakable line, a divide I can’t cross. That’s why I urge you to think carefully. Too often, people take these oaths when their hearts are clouded with rage, without considering the long-term consequences.”
Theron bowed his head, his expression heavy with shared regret. “Wyguall’s right. Most oaths like these are made in the heat of anger, without understanding the weight they’ll carry. It’s not just a choice; it’s a commitment that will define your future.”
The grounds fell silent, the gravity of their words sinking in. I could see Mel and Leo processing the warning, their expressions solemn. Finally, Mel spoke, her voice steady and resolute.
“Thank you for the warning,” she said, pounding her fist to her chest in a firm salute. “If I ever decide to make such an oath, I swear I’ll do it with a clear mind, fully understanding the consequences.”
Leo immediately mirrored her gesture. “Same here. I’ll make sure I know exactly what I’m committing to before making a decision like that, I swear it.”
Theron and Wyguall both nodded, their expressions softening as they bowed their heads in acknowledgment.
“That is a wise choice, and an oath of its own,” Theron said. “I suggest you keep it. Breaking such a promise to yourself would be as costly as the oath itself.”
Mel and Leo exchanged a determined glance before nodding together, the weight of their unspoken agreement lingering in the air.