Virellia’s realm faded, replaced by the muted glow of the cavern. For a moment, I stood still, my senses readjusting to reality. The weight of her memories lingered, pressing against my chest like a phantom ache. My cheeks were wet, the tears from before entering her realm a cold reminder that no time had passed out here.
The others’ eyes bounced between the haft in my grip and the tears still streaming down my face. I wiped them away with the back of my left hand, sliding the haft back into its belt attachment. My hand lingered there, giving it a gentle pat before I pulled away and met their gazes.
They stayed silent, watching, waiting for me to explain.
“Star. No,” I corrected myself, my voice hoarse. “Virellia had… a moment of awakening.” My eyes briefly met Trish’s, silently promising I’d explain more later.
Mel’s brows furrowed, and she broke the silence. “Why did it feel like I wanted to cry too?” she asked, her voice soft but laced with confusion.
I glanced at the others and noticed the same unspoken tension. Leo’s normally vibrant northern-lights skin was dimmed, and his jaw clenched as though holding back the same emotion. Even Trish and the giant standing behind them had unshed tears in their eyes.
“I… I’m not sure if…” I began, but Virellia’s voice interrupted me, clear and resonant.
“It’s okay, James,” she said gently, the echo of a thousand voices weaving through her tone. “If my emotions had this large an impact, perhaps they should know why. Besides…” Her voice softened, tinged with a bittersweet warmth. “It will be nice to speak with living beings again.”
Her words hung in the air, silencing even the quiet rustling of the cavern. Slowly, she recounted the tale I had seen moments ago, her voice steady but laden with sorrow. She spoke of the Void Empress, of the stars extinguished, and of her people erased from existence.
As she retold her story, my tears threatened to return. Her grief stretched outward, tangible, gripping the air around us. But I stayed silent, knowing this was something she needed to do, for herself as much as for them.
When she finished, the cavern was quiet except for the faint echo of her words. Trish’s eyes shimmered with unshed tears; her lips pressed together as she struggled not to cry. Mel’s massive orcish hands tightened into fists, her shoulders trembling with barely contained anger. Leo turned his head away, his jaw clenched, his tears reflecting the dim glow of the cavern.
“Oh, hon,” Trish started, her voice breaking as she stepped forward. “I just want to hug y…”
A loud, ridiculous sob cut her off, shattering the tension like glass. We all froze, turning to look at the giant standing behind us. He stood there, his broad shoulders shaking as tears streamed down his face. His wail echoed through the cavern like a heartbroken child.
“Sad story,” he blubbered between sobs. “Poor… poor handle lady!”
The absurdity of his words stunned us into silence. Trish blinked; her tears forgotten as she stared at him. “Handle lady?” she echoed incredulously.
Even Virellia’s voice rippled with faint laughter. I found myself smirking despite the heaviness still lingering in my chest. “Well, that’s one way to put it,” I muttered.
The giant took a staggering step forward, wrapping his massive arms around us in an uninvited but surprisingly gentle group hug. My breath left me in a wheeze as my face was squished against Mel’s bulky arm.
“It’s… okay… big guy,” Leo managed to gasp, his voice muffled by Mel’s body.
“Can… you… put us… down?” I wheezed; my words barely audible as I was pressed against Mel’s other side.
The giant sniffled one last time before releasing us, setting us down like a pile of laundry. We stumbled back, dazed but grinning despite ourselves.
“There, there, Frodi,” Mel said, patting his massive back with a surprising gentleness.
Leo leaned closer to me, wiping off his robes with a grimace, and whispered, “I think I prefer it when he isn’t in this larger form.”
I shot him a confused look, but he just nodded toward the edge of the clearing, gesturing for us to step away. Once we were a safe distance from Frodi, who was still being consoled by Mel, Leo spoke again.
“He’s been in that form ever since we lost Max,” he said quietly, his voice tinged with an uncharacteristic solemnity. “He… took Max’s loss harder than we did, I think. The man’s a monster in his own right,” Leo added, glancing back at Frodi with a wary expression, “but he’s a bit… emotional.”
The side-eye Leo gave as he finished was enough to make me smirk, despite the weight of his words.
A few minutes passed before I noticed Mel kept glancing between Trish and me, her expression shifting between irritation and disbelief.
“Something on your mind, Mel?” I asked, breaking the silence.
The question seemed to insult her. Mel’s jaw dropped, and even Leo looked at me like I’d just slapped him across the face.
“He’s joking, right?” Mel said, jabbing a thumb in my direction as she turned to Leo for backup.
I blinked, completely lost. Trish glanced at me, just as confused, and offered a helpless shrug.
“I know a lot just happened,” Leo said, his tone growing impatient, “but did you seriously forget?”
I looked between them, still baffled. Again, my eyes darted to Trish, hoping she’d know what they were talking about. She shook her head, her confusion mirroring mine.
Then, as if realization had marched up and smacked us both across the face, Trish and I exclaimed in unison, “Oh, right!”
“Hang on,” I said quickly, holding up a hand. “I haven’t even looked at my stats since the change.”
I quickly allocated my twenty-four new points, each one carefully considered. The surge of raw power coursing through me now was undeniable. No wonder Diaz had said Tieryn would soon rethink trying to approach us.
STATS
LEVEL – 100, Adventurer
STRENGTH – 374
DEXTERITY – 307
INTELLECT – 295
WISDOM – 133
LUCK – 65
ARMOR – 43 (Physical damage reduction= 45%)
A grin spread across my face as I glanced at Trish, her smile mirroring mine, wide and infectious. It stretched from ear to ear, a shared moment of triumph that needed no words.
Patience, however, was not a virtue Leo or Mel possessed. They shifted restlessly, almost dancing from foot to foot, their anticipation written across their faces as they waited for us to say something.
Just as I opened my mouth to explain the changes, the world around me vanished. In an instant, I was whisked away into a realm of pure nothingness, the same void I had encountered when I first arrived here. The emptiness pressed in, vast and overwhelming, until a figure materialized before me, its presence breaking the silence.
“James of the Stars Ascent, heed my warning,” the being intoned, its voice resonating like the hum of distant celestial storms. “Your ascension is unique, shaped by your trials, your choices, and your very essence. Each ascension is a deeply personal journey, crafted to draw forth your potential and temper your soul. To share its secrets, even with those you trust, is to risk unraveling the strength it has bestowed upon you.
“Ascension is more than growth; it is a sacred transformation. Its power, while mighty, is fragile when exposed to scrutiny. To speak of it is to invite doubt, envy, and corruption. Worse, it may sow a seed of understanding in the minds of your enemies, allowing them to predict your future growth and exploit the weaknesses that only you were meant to overcome.
“Beware, for even the Void itself watches those who ascend. The more you reveal, the greater the chance its dark tendrils will find you or those you hold dear.”
The being leaned forward, its ethereal presence dimming slightly as if burdened by the weight of its words. “This silence is not a punishment but a shield. Honor it, and you will ascend further. With each step, the cosmos itself will bend to your will. Break it, and the path forward will darken, not just for you but for all who walk in your light.”
The realm faded from around me, and I let out a resigned sigh. “You’ll find out soon enough,” I said, my tone flat but tinged with a quiet frustration. I glanced toward Trish, catching the flicker of recognition in her eyes. The same warning I’d received was clearly echoing in her mind. Proof came a moment later when she added, her voice edged with irritation.
“You’ll understand why after you find out.” The words sounded hollow even to her, as if she hated repeating the very excuse, we’d heard countless times from trainers and mentors.
Mel’s face twisted with anger, her frustration spilling over as she waved a hand in the air and stomped off. “Oh, you ascended and your bloody secrets,” she muttered, each step sending tremors through the ground. Her annoyance was palpable, and I couldn’t entirely blame her.
Leo, however, met my gaze. His sharp eyes studied me for a moment before something clicked, a flicker of understanding softened his expression. “Mel,” he called out, his voice steady. He waited until she turned, her arms crossed over her chest, before continuing. “I think there’s far more to this than we’ve been led to believe. Don’t let your temper blind you.”
Mel’s shoulders slumped slightly, her tension easing. “Aye, you’re right,” she admitted, though her tone was still begrudging. She glanced between Trish and me, her jaw tight. “Let’s go, then. If we’re only one level away, let’s earn that last bit of experience and find out for ourselves.”
The smile that had once lingered on my face returned, this time with a fierce edge. The idea of testing my newfound strength, of pushing these new abilities to their limits, sent a thrill through me. The sensation wasn’t just mine; I could feel Virellia’s excitement surging through our bond, amplifying my anticipation.
I gave Trish a quick nod, her grin matching my own. “Let’s,” I said, my voice brimming with energy.
“What of your friend?” Frodi asked as we made our way toward the cavern’s end, the path Trish and I had taken earlier.
I glanced back at him, meeting his solemn gaze. “He’s out there, and we won’t find him in here,” I replied, turning fully to face him. “We may as well hunt, level up, and search for clues while we’re at it.”
Frodi’s massive frame seemed to sag slightly as he processed my words, his expression twisting with a mix of anger and sadness. “I would like to help… please,” he said, his voice heavy with emotion. The guilt he carried over Max’s loss was plain to see, and it weighed on him like an anchor.
I studied him for a moment, feeling the sincerity in his words. Then, I turned to Leo and Mel, searching for their input. They exchanged a brief glance before giving slight nods of agreement.
“No more group hugs,” I said with a smirk, breaking the tension, “and I’ll be fine with it.”
Without missing a beat, Leo chimed in. “I second that!”
Mel and Trish nodded vigorously in unison, their expressions a mix of exasperation and amusement.
Before Frodi could respond, Virellia’s voice rang out, her tone tinged with humor. “I quite liked the hug, actually. It made me feel… comforted.”
Frodi’s brows furrowed as he turned his attention to the haft at my side, his expression filled with genuine confusion. “I can hug handle lady?” he asked, tilting his head.
Virellia’s laugh resonated, light and melodic, like the soft chime of bells carried on a breeze. “No, but you may hug James for me,” she replied, a mischievous note in her voice. “I would feel the warmth and happiness through him.”
She paused briefly before adding, “And please, call me Virellia, not ‘handle lady.’ It feels… insulting.”
Frodi’s expression shifted into a thoughtful pout, but before he could respond, he swooped me up in a massive bear hug, squeezing with the enthusiasm of someone determined to follow orders. My breath caught in my chest as the air was crushed out of me.
Laughter erupted from the group, filling the cavern. Even Virellia joined in, her ethereal laugh mingling with the others, a sound like wind chimes and starlight. Despite myself, I couldn’t help but grin, even as Frodi’s crushing embrace made my ribs protest.
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“Frodi,” I wheezed, “maybe ease up… just a little?”
We stepped out of the village’s cavern and into another, the atmosphere shifting instantly. This cavern thrummed with life, a stark contrast to the quiet weight of the village we’d left behind. Predators rustled in the shadows, their movements almost imperceptible, while the steady hum of insects added an undercurrent of tension to the air. Water trickled faintly down the walls, its source hidden far above, creating a melody that echoed softly around us.
The Lepidomare hovered beside us, their presence steady and grounding amidst the living chaos of the cavern. Nyxala, ever regal with her lightning-blue and deep-purple scales, led the way, her hum low and commanding, as though daring any threats to approach. Trish’s hand rested lightly on her side their bond clear in every shared movement.
Thundermaw, Mel’s Lepidomare, strode beside her with an air of raw power. Its charcoal-like scales shimmered faintly with glowing, ember-like patterns, the rippling glow pulsing softly with each step, as if the creature itself contained a smoldering fire within. Mel glanced at it often, her expression softening slightly whenever her eyes caught the rhythmic glow.
Sunveil, Leo’s mount, exuded a calm, steady energy that matched its sandy-colored scales. The faint shimmer that danced along its hide in the dim light felt almost like sunlight breaking through a quiet dawn. Its movements were measured, deliberate, a reflection of its rider’s own contemplative nature.
Drifter, Max’s Lepidomare, hovered silently behind the group, its sleek form moving with a spectral elegance that seemed effortless, as though it was a part of the air itself. The usual brilliance of its lightning-blue and silver scales was muted, its twin curled tails twitching faintly with unease. Without its rider, it carried an air of longing, its subdued glow a quiet reflection of its missing bond.
Mel’s gaze flicked back toward Drifter, her jaw tightening before she slowed her steps. She reached out hesitantly, her rough hand hovering just above its sleek scales before finally resting gently against them. Drifter stilled at her touch, its restless movement pausing as a soft hum escaped its throat, quiet, but there.
The path ahead opened up into a sprawling cavern, and for the first time, I truly noticed the beauty of this place. When Trish, Nyxala, and I had rushed through earlier, I’d missed the finer details in the mad sprint. Now, the bioluminescent fungi painted the walls in hues of green and blue, their faint glow creating a dreamy, otherworldly light. Droplets of water clung to stalactites and glistened like stars as they fell, adding soft, rhythmic music to the hum of life all around us.
I walked over to Drifter, her shimmering form hovering quietly at the edge of the group. Her glowing eyes, usually so sharp and vibrant, seemed dimmer, filled with a weight I couldn’t ignore. I extended a hand toward her, my voice soft but resolute. “It’s okay, girl. We’re going to find him.”
Drifter hesitated for a moment, then pushed her head into my hand, her scaled body letting out a low, vibrating hum. It was a sound of longing, but also trust, as though she was drawing strength from the comfort I offered. I let my fingers trace the elegant curves of her form, a silent promise passing between us.
I turned to face the others, my gaze sweeping over the open expanse before us. “Let’s head to where you all fought the Corrovalk,” I said, my voice steady. “We’ll get you leveled up on the way.”
“James, drop the guise. We’ve no reason to hide anymore. I do not fear this woman, and I tire of being in this shadowed version of myself,” Virellia said, her voice firm and unwavering.
I hesitated, the thought of shedding the guise bringing a flicker of doubt. But then her sentiment resonated with me. I was tired of hiding, tired of feeling confined in this shadowed version of myself. Trish seemed to feel the same. Without hesitation, she shifted into her natural form, and the transformation left me stunned.
Though the Depths guise had seemed like a subtle alteration before, the return to her natural form revealed just how much she had changed. She stood slightly taller, her already defined muscles even more pronounced now, radiating strength. An aura of soft, golden light surrounded her, visible and pulsating faintly with every movement. Her long hair, tipped with glowing blonde ends, seemed to sway gently, as if caught in a breeze that didn’t exist.
I exhaled, letting go of the shadows, and felt the guise dissipate from me like wisps of smoke scattered by the wind. My body emerged, no longer cloaked in darkness. The changes to my form were immediately apparent, even to me. I had grown, noticeably. Not just in size but in presence. The bulk I once carried had been refined, compressed into a denser, more defined form. My muscles no longer felt cumbersome; instead, they seemed built for power and precision.
Mel gawked openly, her jaw slack as she stared up at me, clearly registering the difference in scale. “You’re… bigger,” she muttered, half to herself.
Tendrils of soft blue and gold light curled outward from my body, faint and ethereal, vanishing just inches from my skin like smoke carried away on a breeze. Tattoos that had once been part of my identity were now gone, erased completely, as if they had never existed. The sight of my bare skin, unmarked and glowing faintly, sent a strange ripple of emotion through me, a mixture of loss and rebirth.
I met Trish’s gaze, her golden-brown eyes widening as they locked onto mine. “Your eyes…” she said softly, her voice filled with shock.
I tilted my eyebrow, giving her a questioning look. “What about them?” I asked, my tone curious but steady.
Leo stepped closer, his expression a mix of awe and unease as he studied me. “They’re glowing,” he said in a hushed whisper. “You don’t have sclera or pupils anymore… just glowing blue and gold.”
“I guess that explains why I can see the dark corners so much better now,” I said, the realization striking me as the words left my mouth. I glanced around, noticing details I hadn’t before. What once were dark, mysterious recesses, the kind that seemed to whisper secrets just beyond reach, were now laid bare. Shadows, natural or otherwise, could no longer conceal anything from me. It was as if the very fabric of darkness had unraveled, revealing its every hidden thread.
I reached down and pulled Virellia from my hip. As she materialized, her form shifted before my eyes. The haft, once simple and unassuming, now radiated with quiet authority. The Eclipseria gem, which had once gleamed prominently, was drawn into the base of the haft, vanishing from sight as though consumed by the very essence of the weapon. The polished metal now bore intricate etchings that glowed faintly, their patterns ever-changing, like constellations rearranging themselves in the night sky.
The chain links had transformed, no longer dull and utilitarian. They shimmered with an ethereal light, their edges sharp yet elegant, as though crafted from the fabric of the cosmos itself. The spiked ball at the end was now a perfect celestial sphere, its surface alive with glowing, shifting runes that seemed to whisper in a language older than time. Four crystalline spires extended from the orb, their jagged edges refracting light into dazzling shards that painted the cavern walls with fleeting rainbows.
Holding her felt different now there was a weight, not of burden, but of presence. Virellia was no longer just a weapon; she was a force, a manifestation of power and purpose.
I decided to round off the transformation by activating my [Shield of Constellations]. What I’d imagined, a simple shield composed of stars, was immediately eclipsed by the breathtaking reality that materialized before me.
The shield wasn’t merely a collection of stars; it was an entire galaxy condensed into a massive, towering form. Standing tall from my shoulder to halfway down my shins, it was wide enough to cover my entire form, providing both mobility and complete protection. Its solid base allowed me to plant it firmly on the ground, bracing for incoming attacks with unshakable resolve.
The shield’s surface shimmered like the night sky brought to life, vast clouds of swirling nebulae pulsing with vibrant, shifting hues of blue, purple, and fiery red. At the center, a black hole-like core drew in the colors and starlight around it, spiraling endlessly in an awe-inspiring display of celestial power. Tiny stars danced and swirled near its edges, their movements a reflection of the cosmic energy contained within.
As I held the shield, I felt a protective force radiating outward, enveloping me in an invisible barrier of celestial energy. The sensation was both calming and invigorating, as if the shield itself was alive, standing as a silent guardian between me and the dangers of the world. The aura extended just beyond my body, its faint, shimmering light reassuring me that it would absorb even the most precise of attacks.
This wasn’t just a defensive tool. The stars along its edges pulsed with latent energy, and as I tested its capabilities, jagged spikes of starlight shot outward from the rim and the front, forming deadly, celestial blades. These spikes retracted just as smoothly, their movements seamless, allowing the shield to shift between defense and offense with ease.
Planting the shield into the ground, I felt the energy of the cosmos surge through me, strengthening my stance. The protective aura expanded briefly, reinforcing my body and armor with a layer of radiant light, before settling back into the shield itself. It was a fortress in my hands, a balance of impenetrable defense and raw, cosmic power.
I inspected my stats again to see if my armor had increased or if anything else had changed. Most of it looked as I expected—massive jumps in strength, dexterity, and intellect from my ascension. But my eyes were drawn to a new line at the bottom, one that hadn’t been there before.
STATS
LEVEL – 100, Adventurer
STRENGTH – 374
DEXTERITY – 307
INTELLECT – 295
WISDOM – 133
LUCK – 65
ARMOR – 43 (Physical damage reduction= 45%)
DAMAGE ABSORBTION – 10% (This damage is also reflected back to the attacker)
A low whistle escaped my lips as I stared at the final line. Damage absorption? My thoughts raced as I dismissed the shield to test the theory. The golden text vanished from my stat menu the moment the shield dissolved into wisps of cosmic energy.
“So, it’s tied to the shield,” I murmured, summoning it again. The swirling galaxy materialized before me, and the line reappeared, glowing faintly at the bottom of my stats.
“You can literally stop showing off at any moment now…” Mel muttered, looking away with a pout that resembled a jealous child.
I chuckled at her expense, but my amusement was interrupted when Trish spoke. “Hey, babe… question,” she said, her gaze fixed on the shield.
Still grinning, I turned to her. “Yeah?”
“Is that your old shield transformed, or a new ability?” she asked, her curiosity evident.
I studied her expression for a moment before answering. “It’s an ability,” I said, dismissing the shield with a thought. “Why?”
A smile curved her lips, mischief glinting in her golden-brown eyes. “May I have your old one?”
Completely intrigued by why she would want such a bulky shield, I couldn’t help but ask, “Why?”
“You’ll see,” she replied cryptically, her smile wide and teasing as she held out a hand expectantly, like she was waiting for a piece of candy.
My eyes narrowed as I studied her, trying to unravel whatever plan she had swirling in her head. But ultimately, the shield wasn’t doing me any good anymore. Sentimental value aside, it would just sit and rot in my inventory.
With a resigned sigh, I relented. “I guess it should get some kind of use,” I said, pulling it from my inventory. My grip tightened briefly, hesitation flickering before I handed it over.
Her eyes lit up with excitement as she snatched it from my grasp, holding it like it was some grand treasure.
The shield began to change, shifting and morphing in Trish’s grasp. What had once been a towering bulwark of protection turned fluid, flowing like molten silver up her arm. The liquid spread quickly, shimmering as it enveloped her body. Her bracelets followed suit, dissolving into the same gleaming substance.
Before I could utter a word, the wardrobe, her mysterious, ever-changing artifact; manifested from thin air, its massive doors swinging open. The shield’s liquid form seemed to pull her into the wardrobe like a vacuum, the doors slamming shut behind her with a resounding boom.
My eyes widened in shock, and I turned to Mel and Leo. Their expressions mirrored mine, mouths agape, wide-eyed with disbelief. Even Frodi looked stunned, his enormous hands half-raised in a frozen gesture of confusion as his gaze darted between the wardrobe and me.
Nyxala hovered nearby, her shimmering scales catching the faint light of the cavern. Unlike the rest of us, she remained calm, watching the unfolding spectacle with an almost regal patience.
Moments later, the wardrobe dissolved into nothingness as abruptly as it had appeared. And standing before us was Trish, transformed.
She was breathtaking, a vision of divine power and grace. A circlet now adorned her brow, faintly glowing with an ethereal light. Her armor, elegant and radiant, wrapped her form from neck to waist. From her hips flowed a dress as pure as white clouds, moving as though caught in a gentle breeze.
In that moment, she looked every bit like what I’d always imagined a Valkyrie would look like, a warrior radiant with beauty and strength, yet imbued with a celestial serenity that seemed almost otherworldly.
As I studied her new appearance, I noticed the breathtaking transformation of her armor. A silver circlet now rested elegantly upon her brow, its design reminiscent of intertwining celestial waves or delicate vines. At its center, a small glowing gem pulsed softly with golden light, casting a faint, radiant aura around her face that emphasized her already striking beauty.
Her torso was protected by a sleek, form-fitting breastplate crafted from a shimmering alloy of silver and gold. Intricate engravings of celestial motifs, stars, constellations, and flowing nebula-like patterns, danced across the surface. Thin veins of gold traced through the silver, converging at her chest in a brilliant sunburst design that seemed almost alive with energy.
The pauldrons on her shoulders resembled folded angelic wings, sculpted with meticulous detail. Her arms were adorned with silver bracers accented with sharp, tapering edges that spoke of both elegance and lethality. Hanging from each bracer were twelve golden rings, six per arm, etched with intricate designs. They glimmered faintly, their subtle movement adding a dynamic, almost hypnotic quality to her form.
Her waist, encircled by a wide, ornate silver belt, accented with golden inlays and another softly glowing gem at its center. Flowing from the belt was a long skirt of what appeared to be woven starlight, shifting between shades of pale white and gold as it moved. Beneath the skirt, fitted silver leggings hinted at protection while allowing for effortless movement.
Her boots, plated in the same shimmering silver alloy, bore engraved constellations that caught the light with every step. The soles glowed faintly with runes that left ephemeral traces of golden light in her wake, a reminder of the celestial energy that now coursed through her.
As my gaze moved upward again, I noticed the subtle wing-like design etched into the back of her armor. The golden edges of the wings glowed faintly, as if poised to burst into life at any moment, lending her an air of divine majesty.
Her entire form radiated an aura of both grace and power, the perfect blend of elegance and danger. She was no longer just Trish; she was something more, a vision of what I could only describe as a celestial Valkyrie.
Trish looked down, inspecting herself in surprise. Clearly, she wasn’t expecting this result either. Her eyes widened as she ran her hands along the intricate designs of her armor, and then she looked up at me. A new determination shone in her expression as her gaze shifted to Mel and Leo.
“Don’t tell me you can bloody fly now…” Mel said, her tone dripping with exasperation, though her curiosity was unmistakable.
As if in direct response, Trish’s wings burst into life. They unfurled with a majestic sweep, glowing faintly with a celestial light that danced across the cavern walls. The shimmering feathers seemed almost alive, each one radiating a delicate blend of silver and gold.
“I can’t use them to fly…” she responded, her tone calm but carrying a note of anticipation. Then, after a moment’s thought, she added, “I don’t think so anyway.”
It was then I noticed something new, two much larger golden rings pierced through the upper corners of her wings. These rings, thicker and heavier than the ones on her bracers, glowed faintly with an otherworldly energy. They gave her wings a grounded yet powerful appearance, as though they were part of her armor itself.
Without warning, Trish slammed her wings forward, crossing them in front of her like a shield. The motion was fluid, yet deliberate, and as the tips of her wings drove into the ground, they created a protective barrier. The golden rings emitted a faint hum, stabilizing the makeshift shield as a faint pulse of energy rippled outward from the impact.
The move was as commanding as it was awe-inspiring, her form radiating an undeniable power. The wings weren’t just an aesthetic marvel, they were an extension of her strength, her will, her transformation.
"Show off..." Mel muttered under her breath, her voice laced with feigned annoyance.
"Now that you’re both… hopefully done with all of..." Leo waved his hands in exaggerated motions at Trish’s wings and my shield, "this. Can we get moving? Mel and I would like our turn to be super awesome, if that’s not too much to ask!" He finished with a dramatic sigh, prompting laughter to ripple through the group. Even Frodi’s booming chuckle rumbled in the air.
Raising my hands in mock surrender, I grinned. "Alright, alright, we’re moving."
Trish tucked her wings neatly behind her, a smile tugging at her lips. She turned to me, her gaze steady. "Let’s get you two caught up, then we start our hunt for Max." Her voice softened, a quiet determination replacing the playful banter.
The shift in her tone sobered us all. With a shared nod, we pressed onward, the weight of our purpose grounding us as we moved toward the place where the Corrovalk had first appeared.