Dale Falar - The Black Phoenix
Day 02
"We are being summoned to fight in Churchland!" Rodan declared, his voice carrying a hint of mystery, as he opened a metal door and stepped into the meditation room within the Heroes Church in Falar.
The Meditation Hall, a grand testament to the glory of Falar's Heroes, was a sight to behold. Its walls, floor, and ceiling were crafted from polished white marble, each surface etched with statues that told the tales of Falar's Heroes and their triumphant battles against the Dungeon Lord. Like divine blessings, the evening sun illuminated the room through the multi-colored glass-painted windows, each depicting a different Hero of Falar who had ascended to become a Deity.
"Why?" I asked, curious. I tore my gaze away from the 'History of the Heroes Church that Rodan' and 'The Seven Knights of Arya' given to me to study.
"The Arch Bishop who rules Churchland has messaged us that an ancient Dragon has awakened and has united the Orc tribes into a confederacy. They are besieging our colonies and consuming the armies that defend them. The Deities have requested the new Heroes to exterminate the Dragon and scatter the Orc hordes. While our Pope has ordered all the Paladins to go save Colonies of Churchland before they are lost," Rodan explained.
"But I am neither a Hero nor a Paladin," I reminded, my voice tinged with uncertainty. The weight of my Ancestor's legacy and the impending war with the Orcs loomed over me, casting a shadow of doubt on my path.
"The Mad Prophet believes you will be a Hero like your Ancestor, and this war with the Orcs will help you to become one. By the way, did you learn the difference between a Hero and a Paladin?" Rodan asks.
"The Mad Prophet," a new title for Master Phil Sin, was one of three he had earned over the years. He had spent several years warning the Pope about the impending return of the Demon King through the Dungeon Lords. This role had earned him the title of "Doomsday Preacher." Later, he proposed a plan to revive the Legendary Hero through the skull preserved by the Falar King's family. However, the plan had failed due to the passage of time since the Hero's death. The Pope had reasoned that the Hero's soul had reincarnated. Undeterred, Master Phil continued his work through a different method that involved awakening the powers of a living descendant. Unfortunately, the conditions for this method had been deemed too cruel by the Pope and the Arch Bishops, who had ultimately labeled him a "Madman" when they learned about what he had done to me. His latest title came after his plan succeeded and some disturbing reports of rare monster appearances in the other continents of Artrea.
Since I was Master Phil Sin's creation, the Pope assigned him to raise me as his disciple. But, after the revelation and our fight in the Dungeon, the Pope deemed our relationship too complicated for me to handle. He assigned me to Rodan, one of the new Heroes who swore to serve the Church as Paladins.
"For a Human to become a Hero. They must pick a Human Deity to serve and live by their Code through a Deity Oath. The Oath taker will be given a quest to fulfill while upholding their Code. If they succeed, they will be blessed with abilities reflecting that Deity's power. But if they ever break the Code, they lose the Deity's ability, revert to Clay Rank and can never regain the trust of that Deity. However, they can become heroes again if another Human Deity blesses them.
A Paladin is a Hero who swears a Deity Oath in service to the Pope of the Heroes Church. The Pope will revive the Hero if they die in service to the Church as long as a part of their body is returned to him. However, the punishment for breaking their Deity Oath to the Church is death" I answered.
"Have you picked a Deity to serve?" Rodan asked.
The Seven Knights of Arya detailed the chronicles of the Humans who surpassed Mithril Rank to become Human Deities. The Heroes Church worships all of them and makes every follower swear Oaths in the name of one of them.
"The Mad Prophet served Sardinia. The Goddess of Knowledge and Healing. I like to gain abilities related to them." I answer.
Her abilities extend human lives by centuries and give them forbidden knowledge. Some of her heroes, like Phil Sin, have been alive for over three hundred years, and he has gained visions about the future through her.
"A good choice! Will you swear to serve the Church as its Paladin?
"Yes, but will a Human Deity bless a Human carrying the awakened curse of Beast Deity?" I ask.
"Ah! The Mad Prophet asked her already. She said it won't be a problem," Rodan instructed.
"He can talk to her?" I asked in surprise, but then I remembered that he said she had told him about the Demon King and his Dungeon Lords.
"All Heroes can speak to their chosen Deities when they sleep," Rodan added, and I tilted my head in confusion.
"Not everyone who reaches the Apex of the Mithril Rank can break through to the Deity Rank. Certain conditions need to be met to become a Deity, and so far, only seven humans have managed to do so. Konnan was the first to become a Deity, who guided his first Hero to build this Church and made him the first Pope. Thanks to the guidance of the Pope, six more humans reached the Mithril Rank and joined Konnan's Pantheon in the Starworld." Rodan explained.
"Starworld? Why can't the seven Human deities come back to fight the Dragon Lord?" I ask.
"After Connan became a Deity, he no longer had a physical body. His soul became one of the stars in the night sky, and he gained the ability to create a small world that can only be accessed by devout worshipers when they sleep. The ones who wish to carry on his Code are blessed as his Heroes. Through that small world, he can communicate with them and teach them skills if they fulfill his quests. Their souls can rest in that world when they die instead of entering the reincarnation cycle. But that's about it," Rodan explained.
"So that is why Deities need Heroes to serve them in Artrea. What about Beast Deities?" I ask.
"Your Black Phoenix was an Elemental Monster who became a Beast Deity. Orcs, Ogres, and Giants were the only ones who worshiped them to gain blessings resembling your powers. The main difference is that they can hunt and eat the creatures they kill to rank up. I don't see it as a curse since you could kill and eat a pig to gain experience," Rodan explained.
Rodan had given me a Hog to kill and eat during the night when I complained that I was hungry.
"Since awakening the powers of the Black Phoenix, I have heard its whispers in my mind. However, these whispers have become clearer after a few Rank-ups in the Dungeon. I hear the Phoenix urging me to go to Churchland, eat the Orcs, and even taste the flesh of their Dragon Lord. The Phoenix will no longer reward me for consuming animals to gain strength since I can now take on stronger opponents." I explain.
"That's too bad, but we can use this war to satisfy her hunger and get you to a high rank." Rodan pointed out.
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"Other than the Black Phoenix, have other Humans gained powers from Beast Deities?" I ask.
"If there were, then the Mad Prophet would also be working to awaken them. But he told the Pope that the Black Phoenix bloodline is the only one he found in Arya," Rodan explained.
There might be more on other continents.
"Thank you for teaching me all this," I reply in gratitude.
"It is part of my duty to turn you into a Paladin. Now, let's go to the Altar of Sardinia so that you can swear a Deity Oath to her and get quest from her. Then we will aid our brothers and sisters against the Orc Hordes." Rodan instructs.
Rodan led me through the Heroes Church until we arrived at the Altars of Heroes. We stopped at the one dedicated to Sardinia. I was mesmerized by her stunning marble statue, which stood 10 feet tall. Her body was wrapped in real cloth from high-quality silk imported through Rodwin. The silk was adorned with gemstones, and gold jewelry was embedded into her marble ears, nose, and fingers. Her eyes were made of diamonds and seemed to be able to pierce through my soul.
"Now recite the Deity Oath mentioned in the book," Rodan instructed.
"My dear Goddess Sardina, I solemnly swear to follow the path of a Truth Seeker and a Healer of both flesh and thoughts. I humbly request your guidance from this moment forward, and I offer myself as a staff of wisdom and healing in your service. May you use me to carry out your miracles, and all praise will be given to you. If I ever break my Oath to you, I accept the consequences. Please strip me of your blessings and reduce me to Clay Rank if necessary. Banish me from your domain and curse me until I perish." I recite.
Nothing happened for a minute. I wondered if I had been rejected, but then Sardina's diamond eyes began to glow. I hear her voice in my mind, filling me with warmth and rejuvenating my soul.
[Young Dale Falar! I have been expecting the day you would come to me to learn why I guided Old Phil Sin to create you. I will share with you the visions that led him to do so in the future. But for now, I have a quest for you. You must become my Hero by completing the following tasks:
1. To become a truth seeker, read ten books about the history of Artrea (2/10) and teach it to 1000 Human children. (0/1000)
2. To become a Healer of flesh and thoughts, you need to learn ten skills that heal the flesh (0/10), ten skills that heal the mind (0/10), and ten skills that cure diseases (0/10).
Once you have completed these two tasks,
Journey to the ruins of the 12 Fortress Cities in Arya and learn their names. (0/12)
Finally, you must cure 1000 humans who suffer from serious injuries or diseases. (0/1000)
You will break the code if you refuse to heal those in need or teach those seeking knowledge.
Good luck on your journey to becoming my Hero!]
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Kendu Fen
Day 01
"Do you know what day it is, Kendu?" An old bald man wearing an Orange-Black Gi seated in a lotus position asks a young boy in the same clothing. His head has been shaven, and his body is light.
"The day you adopted me, Master Fen?" Kendu asks.
"Indeed, it has been a decade since the Cheran Orphan Care agents left you in my care. As per the law, every senior citizen must raise an orphan to age 10. You were granted the privilege of receiving free food and shelter and my martial arts teachings. Now that you have finally reached the age to unlock the Class and skills officially. It is time to venture into the world and make a name for yourself." Master Fen replied.
"Can't I work as an instructor or pay rent to stay here?" Ken replies.
"This Dojo hasn't had more than ten disciples for two decades. The people of Cheran don't want to be a close combat fighter like their ancestors. Being an Elemental Beast Tamer or a Monster Summoner strengthens the Cheran Kingdom today. So, I will close this Dojo and go fishing by the sea for the rest of my days. But I am not heartless. I bought you this Mutant Monster Egg as a birthday and parting gift." Master Fen said as he pulled a Metal Egg from his storage ring and handed it to Kendu. It is the size of a football with strange markings.
"What are all these tattoos on it?" Kendu asks.
"I called in a favor from a Breeder who breeds rare variants of Metal Bugs for the King of Cheran. This one's parents could eat Elemental Cores and gain Elemental Skills for them to use for a day. It can become a powerful creature if you can afford to buy them or hunt enough of those Elemental Cores." Master Fen explained.
"Won't the King get mad if I am caught walking around with a creature that should only belong to him or his Tamers?" I ask.
"That is true, so I suggest you leave Cheran and head to Falar. They lack Tamers in their Kingdom and also prize Close Combat Fighters. Here, take this book to learn the Falaran language. But I suggest you register at the Adventurer's Guild and avoid working for the Army or Church. They treat foreigners worse than the Dwarves that clean their shit holes." Master Fen warned and gave him the translation book from his storage ring and ten silver coins.
Kendu accepts them and stores them inside his storage ring. He forms a fist with his right hand and connects it with his open left hand as a gesture of thanks to his master before bowing to him.
"I will bring honor to the name Fen!" Kendu declares.
"Before leaving Cheran, visit Fenma at her Medicinal Pill Shop. She wants to give you a gift for always helping her run errands all these years." Master Fen instructs.
An hour later, Kendu finds himself on the outskirts of Cheran's Capitol. He stares at a signpost listing the directions needed to reach the Falaran Kingdom. According to it, going there on foot will take him a month. It warned that Metal Bugs and Elemental Beasts infested the lands, and a party of six or more members was recommended. Those who chose to journey Solo would have no one but themselves to blame for whatever happened to them.
"I will consider this journey part of my training to become a Warrior before I reach the Falar Kingdom. But first, Grandma Fenma!" Kendu says out loud.
Kendu then walks towards the Medicinal Pill shop, which abandoned stores surround.
An old woman who resembles Master Fen greets Kendu.
"My Kendu, Happy Birthday! Here, I kept these three pills. They will make you strong and live a long life," Old Fenma said as she picked up his cheeks and handed him a white and blue porcelain bottle with three glowing pills inside: Blood Red, Lime Green and Deep Blue.
"I have never seen pills that glow. What do they do?" Kendu asks.
"The Red one will slowly restore your flesh and regrow lost limbs for an hour. The Blue one will constantly refill your Mana Pool for an hour. The Green one will make you a Mutant for an hour." Old Fenma explains.
"A mutant? Like the Metal Bugs?" Kendu asks.
"If you consume the Green pill before the other two, it will bring about a permanent change in your body. Although you won't transform into a Metal Boy, your body can restore its flesh, regrow limbs and refill its Mana pool without needing more pills. But if you find something else that enhances your body, that too will be added to your abilities before the one-hour time limit is done." Old Fenma explained.
"Isn't the Healing and Mana restoration exclusive to Holy Elemental Beasts and Human Mages?" Kendu asks.
"I learned how to make pills that can mimic their abilities. This mutation pill was made by harvesting the organs of the Mutant Monsters, and creating one took me five years. So you won't find another Pill Maker selling it anywhere you go." Old Fenma explains.
"But if it's so difficult to make, why are you giving it to me for free?" Kendu asks and doesn't accept it.
"You remember when you killed that Mad Dog that attacked the children of my customers? You were just five years old, and yet you had no fear and killed it to save the lives of ten children. From that day, I decided you deserved a body that can reach the heavens." Old Fenma explained.
"But wouldn't you earn a lot of Mana Crystals if you sold this to the King?" Kendu asks.
"I am already the Pill supplier for the King and his Knights. But I reserved my best pills for those I cherish, and you are like a grandchild to me. So take these pills and strive to become a Deity. Then I can brag to my customers that my pills helped you become a God," Old Fenma says before she starts cackling and patting Kendu's bald head.
"Thank you, Grandma Fen! I will honor your legacy by becoming a Pill Maker as well." Kendu declares and accepts the Pill bottle.
"Creating pills requires hunting rare ingredients and fighting monsters for their body parts or organs. You will have to spend months to make the perfect pill you desire." Old Fenma warned.
"It will not deter me from honoring your kindness." Kendu declared.
"Then, take this journal. I wrote it over the past decade to bestow on my successor. It has all the Pill Recipes I learned until Gold Rank. But all the ones who had the potential ran away to serve Merchants for money," Old Fenama says as she pulls out a journal and hands it to Kendu. Visit me when you become a Gold Rank Pill Maker, and I will give you the rest of the recipes from Diamond to Mithril." Old Fenma hints.
"Mithril?" Kendu asked in surprise.
"Although my pills did not restore my youth, I was able to create the same pills that you now possess. They allowed me to live long enough to reach Mithril Rank. However, please do not assume that I am a powerful warrior. I am simply a Pill Maker." Old Fenma explains and then embraces Kendu before they bid farewell.
Kendu Fen then begins his journey with aspirations to become a renowned warrior and pill maker.