As the midnight shadows stretched across the quiet guild hall, Seikan settled himself in his room, the faint flicker of candlelight casting long shadows across his face. His mind raced with fragments of the day’s events: the intensity of the battle, the raw power of the artifact, and the choice he’d made to channel its energy directly into Kalsei. The echoes of their skirmish with the League of Shadows reverberated within him, and he knew it wasn’t an experience he would soon forget.
With a steadying breath, Seikan opened a fresh sheet of parchment and dipped his quill in ink. His hand hesitated over the page, his thoughts clouded by questions about how much to reveal in his report to the guild mother. The League of Shadows’ ambush was no ordinary encounter, and the use of the artifact—its destruction, really—was a risk he wasn’t sure how she would take.
Report: Artifact Recovery Mission in Emberfall Highlands
The words spilled onto the parchment, careful and deliberate as he detailed the mission. Each phrase was measured, capturing the essentials without divulging more than necessary. He outlined the encounter with the League of Shadows, the artifact’s powers, and his decision to channel it into Kalsei during the heat of battle. Seikan wrote of Steph’s bravery and Darius’s resilience, ensuring that each member’s contributions were recognized.
Yet, as he reached the final paragraph, his quill paused once more. How would the guild respond? Their actions had undeniably crossed a line, but the alternative had been surrendering the artifact to the League—something he’d never consider.
He finished the report with a swift, decisive signature and sealed it, feeling a mix of apprehension and relief.
Morning came quietly, the guild hall slowly filling with the usual morning bustle as adventurers prepared for the day. Seikan dressed and pocketed the sealed report, preparing to meet with the guild mother. His companions were already awake, the sounds of laughter drifting from the mess hall where the others were enjoying breakfast.
As he made his way to the guild office, he passed by Kalsei, Steph, and Darius, who were huddled at a vendor's stall, inspecting an assortment of potions and charms. Kalsei looked up and gave Seikan a small salute with his fork, clearly enjoying the morning meal. “Good luck with the guild mother, Seikan!” he called, a grin lighting up his face. “Make sure not to tell her about the part where I saved the day.”
Seikan rolled his eyes, waving them off. “Yes, yes. I’ll leave out that you tripped over your own feet in the middle of it.”
Kalsei snickered. “You wound me!”
Steph laughed, shaking her head. “We’ll grab some extra supplies while you’re there, Seikan. Don’t keep us waiting too long.”
With a nod, Seikan moved on, focusing on the task ahead. As he entered the guild’s main hall, his steps grew quieter, his gaze steady as he approached the guild mother’s office. Taking a steadying breath, he knocked on the door.
“Come in,” her voice called, steady and assured as always.
Seikan stepped inside, greeted by the familiar sight of the guild mother’s quiet, well-organized office. She sat behind her desk, her piercing gaze sweeping over him, then dropping to the report he held. “Ah, Seikan,” she said, gesturing to a chair. “I trust you’ve brought the mission report?”
He nodded, handing her the sealed envelope. “Yes, I thought it best to deliver it to you personally.”
She accepted it with a slight nod, her expression thoughtful as she broke the seal and began to read. The silence grew as she scanned the report, her eyes sharp and unreadable. After a few moments, she looked up, and her gaze was more intense than usual.
“So,” she began, “the League of Shadows ambushed your team, and you fought them off… but at the cost of the artifact. You chose to channel its power into Kalsei?”
Seikan met her gaze, unflinching. “Yes. They were about to overwhelm us. I assessed the risks, and… it was the only way to ensure they didn’t take it. The artifact had a unique resonance with Kalsei’s abilities, and it allowed us to turn the tide.”
The guild mother’s expression softened, a hint of approval glinting in her eyes. “Your decision was bold. Risky, certainly, but I can see why you made that call.” She set the report down, folding her hands thoughtfully. “However, I need to know: did you gather anything from the artifact before using it in such a way?”
Seikan hesitated, choosing his words carefully. “The artifact was… complex. It held layered magic, a manipulation of reality. In the brief moments I held it, I understood pieces of its power, but full comprehension was beyond reach. When I channeled its energy, it was in desperation.”
She gave a slow nod, seeming satisfied with his answer. “The League of Shadows has grown increasingly bold in their pursuits,” she murmured. “This attack was no coincidence.”
A tense silence settled over the room. Seikan sensed an unspoken question lingering between them, one that acknowledged the fragility of trust within the guild’s own ranks.
“What happens now?” Seikan asked finally, his voice steady.
The guild mother leaned back, her gaze thoughtful. “For now, you and your team have earned a well-deserved rest. But Seikan… be prepared. Missions like these will attract attention from all sides, both within the guild and beyond. I trust your judgment, but be cautious. Not every artifact will respond the way this one did.”
Seikan nodded, a flicker of gratitude in his eyes as he stood to leave. “Thank you.”
“Oh, and Seikan,” she added as he reached the door, “tell Kalsei not to go bragging about ‘saving the day’ to everyone he meets. His personality may be infectious, but we don’t need half the guild wondering why Silver Ranks are taking on League operatives.”
Seikan stifled a chuckle. “Understood. I’ll do my best to keep him… humble.”
Seikan rejoined his friends at the market, finding them engrossed in bartering with a merchant for a set of rare ingredients.
“There he is!” Kalsei greeted with a grin, tossing a small pouch of coins his way. “The guild mother didn’t throw you in a dungeon, so that’s a good sign.”
“Only because she’s immune to your influence,” Seikan replied, his tone dry. “Now, let’s get these supplies before you waste all our funds on snacks.”
Darius chuckled, inspecting a new whetstone as the vendor demonstrated its magical properties. “Good timing, Seikan. We were just about to buy the whole market.”
They continued their shopping, each of them selecting items that suited their skills and combat style. Steph picked out a bundle of enchanted herbs for healing salves, while Kalsei gravitated toward a cloak lined with ethereal fabric, which seemed to shimmer when touched. He gave it a dramatic twirl, much to the amusement of passing guild members.
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“Practical and fashionable,” he declared, grinning at Steph. “This is how we should roll into every mission.”
Steph laughed, raising an eyebrow. “Just don’t blame me when it attracts every monster in a mile radius. I’m not healing you if you get bitten.”
After their shopping, they found themselves wandering back to a quieter part of the guild hall. There, Seikan approached Steph, his gaze lingering on the rune she’d collected during their mission. “Do you still have that rune?” he asked, nodding toward her bag.
Steph retrieved it, placing the small, gleaming stone in his palm. The rune was intricately carved, glowing faintly with a blue aura. “I found it near the artifact’s resting place. Thought it might be something you’d find useful.”
Seikan examined the rune, his fingers tracing the fine carvings. “Interesting… it has a resonance, like a fragment of the artifact itself. Perhaps a defensive rune, or something to enhance magical abilities.” He looked up, a rare smile of genuine intrigue on his face. “Thank you, Steph.”
She returned the smile, nodding. “You’ve done enough for us. It’s the least I can do.”
They spent the remainder of the day exploring their new acquisitions. Darius and Kalsei took turns sparring in the training yard, each trying out their new gear in mock combat. Kalsei’s playful taunts kept the session lively, and he danced around Darius’s strikes with his usual agility, calling out, “You’ll have to be faster if you want to keep up with Silver Rank’s finest!”
Darius gave a mock sigh, parrying Kalsei’s strike with ease. “If only you could match that speed with a bit of humility.”
Meanwhile, Seikan and Steph sat nearby, discussing the intricacies of her new rune. Seikan had placed it on the ground, drawing out its potential uses as they watched it pulse faintly with energy.
“This could enhance your Void Cascade or even boost healing spells if properly tuned,” he mused, his mind racing with possibilities. “It’s remarkable, really, how such a small object holds this much power.”
Steph nodded, fascinated. “Seems like every step we take as a team reveals something new. Who knows what else is out there waiting for us to find?”
As the afternoon waned, they gathered together in the guild’s main hall, a familiar warmth surrounding them as they relaxed in the communal space. After the intensity of recent events, there was an unspoken agreement that tonight would be for rest, stories, and shared laughter.
Seikan glanced around at his friends, a subtle look of satisfaction on his face. The day had been long, but the camaraderie of his team made it worthwhile. He couldn’t deny that they had become something close to a family.
Kalsei sprawled across one of the benches, arms crossed behind his head as he grinned up at Steph. “So, do I get any credit for not totally losing it when that artifact power surged into me? I mean, I think I handled it like a pro.”
Steph smirked, shaking her head. “You didn’t turn us all into woodland creatures, so I suppose you get a few points for that.”
Darius chuckled from his seat by the fire, where he was polishing his sword. “I think the real miracle is that Seikan actually let go of the artifact. If you hadn’t, I’m pretty sure you’d still be standing in that clearing trying to figure it out.”
Seikan raised an eyebrow, unbothered. “I’ll remember that when you need someone to solve your next rune-related problem, Darius.”
Kalsei chimed in, laughing. “Oh, come on. We know you’re just waiting for the next ‘mysterious artifact’ to come along and sweep you off your feet.”
Their banter was lighthearted, filled with the comfort of trust and shared experience. Each of them had grown since joining the guild, facing challenges together and emerging stronger. They had come far from the days when they were merely four adventurers brought together by chance. Now, they were a team, and tonight, as they laughed and shared stories, it felt like nothing could break that bond.
At one point, Steph leaned back and looked at the group, her expression softened by the flickering firelight. “It’s strange, isn’t it? Just a few months ago, we didn’t even know each other. And now… well, I wouldn’t want to face any of this with anyone else.”
Seikan gave a quiet nod, his voice low. “We’ve all made sacrifices. But it’s different when you know there’s someone watching your back. That’s… rare.”
Kalsei raised his mug in a playful toast. “To the team. And to me, the glue that holds us together.”
Steph rolled her eyes, but she raised her own drink with a smile. “To the team,” she agreed. “And maybe even to Kalsei’s delusions of grandeur.”
As they laughed and clinked their mugs together, the guild mother appeared at the entrance, watching them with a faint smile. She nodded approvingly, her gaze lingering on each of them as if committing the sight to memory. She knew that each of them carried a spark of potential—one that, together, could reshape the future of the guild.
The guild mother’s gaze swept over the team as she approached, her expression thoughtful. The flicker of approval in her eyes didn't go unnoticed by Kalsei, who leaned back with a confident grin, meeting her gaze as if he’d anticipated her arrival all along.
“You’ve done well,” she said, her voice carrying a rare note of warmth. “The guild is proud of what you’ve accomplished—and how you’ve handled yourselves in the face of adversity.”
Steph shifted in her seat, a bit embarrassed by the praise, but managed a humble smile. “We were just doing what we had to do. The League of Shadows didn’t exactly leave us much choice.”
The guild mother nodded, her face softening as she looked at each of them. “Sometimes, our choices are forced by circumstance, but it’s how you respond to that challenge that truly matters. You’ve each shown resilience, courage, and loyalty—not just to the guild, but to each other.”
Darius glanced at the others, a rare look of pride crossing his normally stoic face. “Couldn’t ask for better allies,” he said simply, his words carrying a sincerity that didn’t need embellishment.
Kalsei raised his mug again, winking at the guild mother. “Don’t suppose there’s a reward for exceptional teamwork?”
The guild mother’s lips twitched in amusement. “Perhaps there is. In fact, I’d say you’re due for something a bit more than the usual mission rewards.”
Seikan’s gaze sharpened, and he set down his drink, intrigued. “What do you mean?”
She reached into the folds of her cloak and withdrew a small, polished crystal. It shimmered with a faint, ethereal light, casting a soft glow that danced across their faces.
“This,” she said, holding it up for them to see, “is a Relic Shard. It’s an old guild tradition—awarded only to those who have proven themselves as true guardians of the guild’s ideals. It represents not just power, but a commitment to the guild itself.”
Steph’s eyes widened as she looked at the shard, clearly recognizing the significance. “A Relic Shard? I’ve only ever heard about them… they’re incredibly rare.”
The guild mother nodded. “This shard has the ability to enhance your chosen skills, granting you new abilities that align with your unique strengths. But it’s more than that—it’s a sign of trust. Only a select few have been granted this honor.”
Darius reached out, his hand steady as he took the shard from her. “Thank you. We won’t take this lightly.”
The guild mother inclined her head, her eyes softening as she looked at each of them. “I trust that you won’t. This shard, like each of you, holds immense potential. Use it wisely, and it will become a powerful tool.”
Kalsei held up his hands, glancing around at the group. “So, does this mean we’re officially the guild’s favorite?”
She smirked, shaking her head. “Let’s just say you’re… highly valued.” With that, she gave them a final nod before turning to leave. Just as she reached the door, she paused, looking back with a glint in her eye. “Rest well tonight. I suspect your skills will be needed sooner than you think.”
When she left, the team gathered around the shard, each of them feeling the weight of its significance.
Steph looked at Seikan, a spark of excitement in her eyes. “So, how does this work? Are we just supposed to… focus on it?”
Seikan examined the shard, turning it carefully in his hand. “From what I know, relics like this resonate with the user’s core abilities. If we each take turns, we may be able to unlock something unique.”
Kalsei nudged him. “Well, Mr. Rune Expert, why don’t you start?”
Seikan gave a faint smirk, closed his eyes, and held the shard. As he concentrated, a faint glow enveloped him, flickering with dark energy. The shard pulsed, resonating with his mana, and a system window appeared in his field of vision.
System Alert: New Skill Unlocked Runic Eruption: Unleash a surge of runic energy, triggering an area effect that disrupts all magical forces within a specific radius. Enemies caught in the area are temporarily weakened and disoriented, while Seikan’s allies gain a brief boost in magical defense.
Seikan’s eyes opened, the glow fading as he looked at the others. “Looks like the shard has more power than I thought. I’ve unlocked a new area-effect spell that disrupts enemy magic.” He paused, a faint hint of excitement creeping into his usually stoic voice. “It’ll be… effective in fights.”
Steph took the shard next, her fingers wrapping around it as she closed her eyes. The shard began to glow with a soothing, violet light, resonating with her healing magic.
System Alert: New Skill Unlocked Void’s Embrace: Allows Steph to envelop an ally in a shield of void energy, redirecting any magical attacks back to the attacker. The shield also heals the protected ally slightly for each attack deflected.
When Steph opened her eyes, there was a newfound confidence in her expression. “Void’s Embrace—it’s a shield that reflects spells and heals whoever it’s protecting. Looks like this will come in handy.”
Darius took the shard, his face serious as he focused. The shard pulsed with a steady, powerful light, echoing his strength and determination.
System Alert: New Skill Unlocked Iron Resolve: Creates a protective aura around Darius and his allies, greatly reducing incoming physical damage. Additionally, Darius’s own attacks will gain a temporary boost in power for each hit he absorbs.
Darius nodded approvingly. “Iron Resolve. A defensive boost for everyone, and it strengthens my attacks if I take a hit. This should make us more resilient in tougher fights.”
Finally, Kalsei took the shard, his expression filled with curiosity and excitement. As he held it, the shard pulsed in a way that seemed almost alive, resonating deeply with his reality-warping powers.
System Alert: New Skill Unlocked Phantom Rift: Kalsei can create a dimensional rift that allows him to teleport allies to different positions on the battlefield. Enemies caught in the rift’s pull are momentarily immobilized, giving the team a tactical advantage.
Kalsei opened his eyes, a mischievous grin spreading across his face. “Phantom Rift. I can teleport you guys around and trap enemies at the same time. Just imagine the chaos we can cause with this!”
The group shared a look, each of them feeling a renewed sense of purpose with their new abilities. They knew that the road ahead would only grow more challenging, but with these newfound powers, they felt ready for whatever lay in wait.
Kalsei leaned back, looking at his friends with a playful gleam in his eyes. “So, who’s ready to make Silver Rank look like child’s play?”
Steph laughed, her voice filled with warmth. “If anyone can make it look effortless, it’s you, Kalsei.”
Darius smirked, his usual stoicism softened. “We’ve come a long way. Let’s keep pushing forward.”
Seikan nodded, his gaze focused and intense. “Agreed. We’re stronger now, and the guild’s counting on us.”