The palace walls echoed with worried murmurs as the Astral Dragon's projection faded from the sky, but Princess Katsumi remained resolute. Her heart thudded with excitement as she prepared for her journey, deftly tying her vibrant pink hair back, securing it to stay out of her eyes. Her fox ears, the same soft pink as her hair, twitched at the sounds around her, catching every anxious whisper from the palace staff. Behind her, her fluffy tail, matching the color of her hair, swished with both anticipation and determination.
She adjusted her traveling robes, white adorned with intricate silver embroidery that shimmered faintly with protective enchantments. These robes were specially designed for her magical prowess, offering both freedom of movement and a layer of magical resistance. Her emerald-green eyes, bright with a glimmer of defiance, focused ahead, cutting through any lingering doubt. Against her father's wishes, she had resolved to step beyond the wards of the city into a forest affected by the realm of Yokai.
As Katsumi approached the palace gates, her mother, the Empress, appeared silently by her side. Her mother, Empress Kayoko Hirayama, looked exactly alike; however, she wore red robes with gold embroidery. Katsumi nearly jumped despite nineteen years of living with her mother's Platinum Rank abilities, and she could never get used to her mother's ability to slip into place without a sound. The Empress was known throughout the realm for her strength and skill, unmatched by nearly anyone else in the empire, and yet here she stood, silent and steady, offering not her power but her guidance.
With a gentle but firm touch, the Empress placed a hand on Katsumi's shoulder.
"I know you're destined for more, but this path is filled with shadows and many monsters," she said, her voice low and calm. "Be cautious, my star."
Her gaze held Katsumi's steadily, yet a glimmer of pride sparkled within her dark, discerning eyes. Despite the Empress's strength and status, the warmth in her expression softened the air around her, a rare look she shared only with her daughter. Katsumi nodded, her heart swelling with determination. She briefly embraced her mother, feeling the strength and reassurance in her presence, then turned her gaze to the towering palace gates, feeling more ready than ever to face the unknown.
At the entrance waited Harper Witlock, her godsister and closest friend. Harper had pale skin and blue hair, fading to cyan at the tips, which caught the morning light, giving her an ethereal glow. The elven woman's piercing yellow eyes reflected strength and excitement as she adjusted her grip on her double-sided spear, its polished metal gleaming in her hands. She wore a sturdy breastplate, reinforced bracers, and boots built for the rough terrain they'd encounter. Harper's lips curved into a confident smile as Katsumi approached.
"So, are you ready, Princess?" Harper asked, her voice carrying an easy confidence that Katsumi had come to admire.
"Absolutely your grace," Katsumi responded jokingly.
"Good, the adventuring party is waiting for us near the edge of the forest."
As Harper and Katsumi strode away from the palace gates and into the winding path leading toward the forest, the tension began to melt, giving way to a more relaxed conversation. They spoke of small things at first: a new bakery opening near the market square, their shared love for late-night stargazing, and how Katsumi's latest spell had accidentally singed a tapestry in the palace hall. Harper chuckled at the thought, swinging her double-sided spear lazily over her shoulder as they walked.
"You really managed to charm the fire out of that one, didn't you?" Harper teased, her cyan-tipped hair catching the light as she tilted her head with a playful grin.
"It wasn't supposed to be that strong! I thought I had the flame under control, but… apparently not." She shrugged with a smile, her emerald-green eyes sparkling as she recounted the mishap.
They continued their easy chatter, catching up on all the little things they missed in each other's lives since Harper had arrived from Vyrmoria. But as they neared the edge of the familiar path, Harper's expression shifted. She grew quiet, glancing at Katsumi with a touch of hesitation.
"So… about that dragon we saw," Harper began, her voice lower yet tinged with curiosity and a hint of awe. "The Astral Dragon. You saw it too, didn't you? Not just in a dream?"
Katsumi's smile faded as she nodded, her gaze turning serious.
"Yes, I saw it. It wasn't just a vision; it felt real. Like it was here in our world, even if only for a moment."
"Do you think it has anything to do with you unlocking your Path now?" Harper asked, her golden eyes narrowing thoughtfully. "It almost feels like fate, doesn't it?"
Katsumi took a deep breath, looking down at her hands.
"I don't know. Maybe it is fate, or maybe it's just coincidence. But seeing the dragon awakened something in me, a feeling I can't ignore. I have to find out what it means, even if I don't understand it yet." She glanced at Harper, a mixture of determination and uncertainty in her gaze. "And maybe this event is the key to unlocking my next Path."
Harper nodded, her confidence steading slowly.
"Besides, I have a Dragoon by my side to take down that dragon," Katsumi stated with a smile.
"You bet, godsister!" Haper cheered with her confidence fully restored.
With a shared nod, the two young women continued forward to meet with their party.
***
At the edge of the forest, the adventuring party waited in silence, each member observing the dense line of trees that seemed darker and thicker than usual as though harboring hidden mysteries. Evie Dayne stood at the forefront, her dark olive skin warmed by the evening light filtering through the leaves, her black hair flowing down her back as she adjusted the sleeves of her dark grey combat robes. The robes allowed for easy movement, while her roomy black pants gave her flexibility. She glanced over at her long-time friend, Devin Sirocco, a Minotaur man with rugged gray fur, a long scar down his left eye, and silver rings decorating his broad horns. Devin's presence was steady and imposing, his heavy armor gleaming faintly in the fading sunlight.
Devin turned to Evie, his deep voice breaking the quiet.
"You're going to have to tell them eventually, Evie. They deserve to know why we're heading into the Yokai Forest," He crossed his arms, watching her with a knowing look. "Especially our reason."
Evie sighed, brushing a hand through her hair as she glanced away.
"I'll tell them when it's necessary," she replied, her tone steady but firm. She scanned the rest of the group, her gaze landing on her sister, Eliza, who looked much like her, though her black hair was cropped short, falling just above her shoulders. Eliza was dressed in tight-fitting leather armor, with a sword at her side and a bandolier filled with throwing knives slung across her chest. She was currently pestering a Silver Dragonfolk man standing beside her.
The Silver Dragonfolk man, Darius Aeolan, clad in red and black combat robes, appeared completely unbothered as Eliza nudged him, asking rapid-fire questions about the forest, his scales, and his opinion of the Astral Dragon. Darius responded to her with calm, monosyllabic replies, seemingly more focused on the horizon than on Eliza's barrage.
Evie turned back to Devin, folding her arms.
"Do you think the Astral Dragon's appearance will be a problem?"
Devin gave a low chuckle, shaking his head.
"Nah, Astral Dragons usually mind their own business. They're cosmic beings mostly interested in things far beyond us. As long as we don't bother it, we should be fine." He gave her a reassuring nod. "We're more likely to run into Yokai trouble than dragon trouble."
Evie nodded, her gaze fixed on the forest's depths.
"Let's hope you're right."
As they spoke, the sound of approaching footsteps drew their attention, and they turned to see Katsumi and Harper making their way toward them.
"Alright, now that everyone has arrived, we're going in!" Evie yelled out. At her command, every one of the Iron rank adventurers fell in line, following behind her and Devin. She hoped deep down it wasn't too late.
***
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Path Selection Complete
Path Chosen
Warrior: +5 Strength, Agility, and Willpower per level
+10 Free points per level
Skills Obatain
After half an hour of deliberation, he finally settled on [Warrior]. His voice echoed slightly in the quiet temple as he thought out loud, piecing together his choice.
"I mean, a mage class sounds incredible… but it wouldn't be nearly as fun as getting up close and personal." A smirk crossed his face. Insane as the thought was, he couldn't picture himself slinging spells from a distance and hiding behind others. He wanted to be in the thick of it.
He scrolled past the Cleric and Paladin Paths quickly, shaking his head.
"Religious devotion? Relying on divine favor for power?" He chuckled, dismissing the idea. "No offense to anyone who does, but that's not me. I'd never be comfortable, constantly wondering if I'm making the right choice in some god's eyes."
Then there was his great-grandfather's [Path] legendary class that Arthur Nighthawk had forged himself, passing it down as his legacy. It was tempting; he couldn't deny that. His great-grandfather's abilities were awe-inspiring, with a reputation to match. Yet Azriel hesitated. There was something that didn't sit right about following in Arthur's footsteps completely. He admired his great-grandfather more than anyone, but he didn't want to be known as "Arthur Nighthawk's great-grandson." He wanted to forge his reputation, to make the name Azriel Nighthawk stand for something he created.
"Besides," he added as if explaining his choice to an invisible audience, "[Warrior] just feels right."
System Integration Complete
Tiltes Detected
Artifact Holder: As the bearer of a powerful artifact, you have become its guardian and, in some ways, an extension of its influence.
Source: Possession of Nighthawk Codex & Myth Maker
[+25 Presence]
Patriarch: As the Patriarch, you are the respected head of a long-standing family line. This title signifies a role of leadership, protector of traditions, and bearer of family wisdom. You draw upon the strength, knowledge, and guidance of your ancestors, carrying forward the legacy that defines your family's place in the world.
Source: Arthur Nighthawk passing the title down to you.
[+25 Presence & +25 Willpower]
Skill of a Legend: You possess a skill that once belonged to a legendary figure, granting you extraordinary abilities that echo the original wielder's mastery. This title endows you with a level of expertise and prowess rarely seen, allowing you to perform feats that ordinary training alone could never achieve. Whether this skill is in combat, magic, artistry, or another field, it distinguishes you as a rare master among masters.
Source: Possession of skill Astral Breathing
[+50 Intellect + 50 Presence]
Azriel scanned the titles, absorbing the weight and meaning of each one. As the words sank in, he felt a surge of presence and willpower bolstering his resolve, as if the spirits of his family were standing behind him. The Patriarch title brought a sense of responsibility and strength, a deep connection to the legacy his great-grandfather had passed down. It was clear to him now: his journey wasn't just his own but a continuation of his family's story.
Skill of a Legend stood out as well, its weight underscoring the power of Astral Breathing, a skill that was clearly more than just a technique. It felt as if he'd inherited a mastery that once belonged to a figure of mythical prowess. It stirred within him, linking him to the very stars. But Artifact Holder puzzled him. He glanced at the title's source, noting the Nighthawk Codex and Myth Maker. He hadn't been told much about either one, yet they were somehow tied to him, possibly left by his great-grandfather.
"The Codex and Myth Maker…" he murmured, the names ringing with mystery. What kind of influence did they wield? And what sort of guardian was he expected to become? More importantly, what are the Nighthawk Codex and Myth Maker?
A faint glow drew Azriel's attention, and before him, seemingly out of thin air, appeared a familiar yet strangely transformed book. His breath caught as he recognized it as the "Unofficial Guidebook to Astraquilla." The leather cover, once plain blue, was now alive with a breathtaking swirl of nebulas, shifting and spiraling as though the vastness of space itself had been woven into the fabric of the book. Stars flickered and died along its spine while cosmic clouds moved in ghostly patterns, drawing his gaze deeper. The familiar icon etched on the front, the crest of a phoenix, was still there, but it seemed to pulse with an otherworldly light as if empowered by the nebula surrounding it. Reaching out, Azriel ran a hand over the cover, feeling a strange energy surge beneath his fingertips as if the Codex itself were responding to his touch. He could sense it was no ordinary book now; it was alive, a part of something far beyond his understanding.
"What happened to you?" he whispered, turning it over slowly. Two Windows then appeared in his vision.
Nighthawk Codex
The Nighthawk Codex is a tome of immense power and knowledge, bound with arcane wards that recognize only those of Nighthawk descent. Holding it connects you to an ancient legacy and a powerful quest system, with the Eyes of Nighthawk skill and unique spells that grant you exceptional stealth and mobility.
* Quest of the Nighthawk: The Codex periodically provides quests related to the wielder's heritage and mission. These quests are as varied as the Nighthawk legacy, with tasks that may include slaying monsters, protecting locations, investigating mysteries, and recovering lost relics. Each quest includes optional bonus objectives that add extra layers of challenge and reward. Completion of these quests strengthens the wielder's connection to the artifact and reveals deeper insights from the previous holder of the Nighthawk Codex.
* Eyes of Nighthawk: The Codex grants the Eyes of Nighthawk skill, which allows you to see in complete darkness, see through illusions, and gather crucial information with heightened accuracy.
* Spell: Astral Veil: You envelop yourself in a translucent cloak of astral energy that grants you invisibility for up to 10 minutes or until you make an attack or cast a spell. While under the veil, you are nearly undetectable, even by true seeing skills or equivalent abilities
* Inventory System
Quest Complete: System Integration
You have completed your System Integration and survived the complications. Good job.
----------------------------------------
Rewards:
Starter Equipment
Art and Spell that Suit Your Path
Azriel couldn't help but chuckle. The message's simplicity belied the storm of transformation his body had just undergone. Despite the chaos, the energy surging through him, and the sense of something vast and unknown settling in his soul, the words brought a strange sense of relief.
"Good job, huh?" he muttered to himself. He wasn't sure whether the system was being sarcastic or genuinely acknowledging the difficulty of the process, but either way, he had made it through. He exhaled deeply, feeling the weight of the moment.
"It's time to go," Azriel said as he opened his inventory with a voice command, reaching in for his new gear.
***
Azriel stepped outside the temple, feeling the cool air against his newly outfitted form. His gaze drifted over the red jacket that now adorned him, its sleeves rolled up to the elbows, revealing the armor lining etched with intricate nebula art that seemed to shimmer faintly in the light. The jacket's back bore a bold symbol: a four-winged dragon, its feathers elegantly etched into the design, a representation of strength and grace that felt oddly familiar.
The rest of his attire was functional yet stylish. His black pants had just enough give for combat, and the bracers on his arms were sturdy, ready for any strike or block. His fingerless gloves, tight and worn, gave him better dexterity without sacrificing protection. Finally, his shoes, light and flexible yet reinforced with armor, reminded him of tennis shoes from his previous world, but they were built for a very different kind of terrain.
Azriel flexed his hands, the weight of the gear comfortable yet empowering. It felt right. It was as if the very art on his jacket was a part of him now, and the dragon on his back symbolized the path he was forging. He stood tall for a moment, taking in the view of the surrounding landscape, the weight of his choices settling over him.
"I'm ready to move forward," Azriel muttered under his breath, the weight of his resolve grounding him as his eyes burned with fierce determination. The world of Astraquilla, with all its unknowns and challenges, stretched before him, but he felt an undeniable pull to dive into it. Without hesitation, he moved toward the edge of the temple, the wind rushing past him as his heart pounded. He didn't need a second thought; he needed this.
"[Astal Veil]!" As his feet left the solid ground, a powerful surge of energy erupted from his back. Four ethereal wings, feathers glistening with nebula-like swirls, unfurled behind him, catching the wind and sending him soaring in the air. His silver-white dreadlocks were tied back, trailing behind him like a banner in the wind as he gained altitude. The cool air brushed against his face, his body feeling lighter and freer than ever before.
Azriel turned his gaze downward, the forest below a vast sea of green. It called to him, and he answered with a swift dive, gliding effortlessly toward the world below. His wings sliced through the air with purpose, his heart beating in time with the rhythm of the flight. He was more than ready for whatever awaited him in this new world; nothing could stop him now.
***
Name:
Azriel Nighthawk
Race:
Umbral Human/ Radiantborn
Path:
Warrior [Level 1]
Rank:
Iron
Health:
1880/1880
Mana:
1600/1600
Born Trait:
Adaptation [+10 Agility, Awareness, and Willpower per Level]
Outworlder Trait:
Unbound [+5 Willpower per Level] (Hidden)
Strength:
88
Agility:
105
Intellect:
100
Willpower:
70
Awareness:
75
Presence:
160
Skills:
Acting [Bronze] [Lv.60]
Astral Breathing [Iron] [Lv.55]
Cold Resistance [Iron] [Lv.45]
Eyes of Nighthawk [Iron] [Lv.60]
Firearm Mastery [Bronze] [Lv.60]
Gunsmithing [Iron] [Lv.25]
Make an Entrance [Iron] [Lv.1]
Mentality of Nemesis [Iron] [Lv.25]
Sword Mastery [Iron] [Lv.59]
Arts:
Astral Barrage [Iron] [Lv.1]
Stun Bullet [Iron] [Lv.1]
Shatter Bullet [Iron] [Lv.1]
Void Edge [Iron] [Lv.1]
Spells:
Astral Veil [Iron] [Lv.1]
Dimension Door [Sliver] [Lv.120]
Phoenix Resurrection [Iron] [Lv.1] (Hidden)
Titles:
Artifact Holder
Patriarch
Skill of a Legend
Free Points
0