Aurel watched the Justicars from the rooftop, his bottom lip curling in disgust. When they’d gathered to set fire to the longhouse, he thought briefly of intervening. Both to stop a needless slaughter, but also for his master, the Aspirant of Light. Fane had sent him far to deliver his elixir to the dwarf. If the infected died, he would have no way to observe its effects. But another had stepped in. A man who called himself a vampire.
At nearly four hundred years old, Aurel had heard that name but once, spoken from the mouth of a God to the ear of another. But when Argus mentioned it, Aurel had paid it little mind. Hearing it again stirred up old memories, both warm and bitter. But no matter how hard Aurel tried, he could not remember why Argus had mentioned the word “vampire”.
The human woman named Fria returned to the home, her wolf companion close beside her. Aurel’s body was wreathed in shadow, his steps lighter than air. But the wolf’s nose could still smell him, and so he sunk back on the slanted roof, careful of where he placed his feet.
Aurel listened as the white-haired man named Darian and the woman spoke. Supposedly the man also had a way to cure the infected, and this piqued Aurel’s ancient curiosity. Fane’s elixir, an alchemical concoction containing his divine blood, was supposed to be the only cure.
After the woman stalked away, Aurel relaxed. He would stay and watch the village for a time. When the dwarf administered the cure, he would wait to ensure it worked. Then he would return to the capital. Fanes’ other companions would surely be on there way back by now, and he didn’t enjoy leaving the exalted one alone for so long. Despite his powerful divine skill, Fane was still limited to level twenty. But perhaps fate was kind, and another of the Aspirants had died in his absence, though Fane would hardly consider that a good thing.
“Who are you,” a voice said from behind. “And what are you doing here?”
Aurel spun, taken off guard for the first time in decades.
“How did you know I was up here?” he asked the vampire.
“Heard your steps.” Darian squinted at Aurel as if he was trying to see through the shell of obscuring darkness that surrounded him.
Aurel activated his skill [Danger Sense], the skill letting him know the man was weaker than him, but still a threat.
The vampire extended his hand, and a swirling black mass appeared. From within it he drew a sword, the blade tinted red from arcane flame.
“An inventory,” Aurel mumbled. “How interesting.”
***
Darian regretted not pulling Sparkblade out before coming to the roof. He should have known better than to use his inventory in front of potential enemies. But with how silent the footsteps on the roof were, he hadn’t been sure if someone was actually up there.
“Please,” the shadowed figure said, raising his arms wide. “I do not wish for violence.”
“Then you won’t mind answering my questions.” Darian widened his stance, preparing to dodge or block if he needed to. He was standing at the top of the slanted roof, and his footing was poor. But if the man tried anything, Darian could use [Dash Strike] to close the distance.
The shadows around him shifted, then evaporated. The tall elf that remained smiled, his wrinkled face split by three old scars. He carried no weapons and wore a white robe, the gold thread along the sleeves glinting from some kind of enchantment.
“My name is Aurel, and I am here on behalf of my master, Fane.” He bowed.
“And what does this Fane person want with this village?” The elf was wide open for an attack, his guard entirely down. But Darian didn’t relax.
“To save it.” He turned and looked toward the longhouse, his back now facing Darian. “If only a little at a time.”
“You recognized my inventory,” Darian inched forward. “Are you one of the Aspirants?”
“I am not,” Aurel answered without hesitation. “But I am what the system classifies as a companion.” He looked over his shoulder and grinned. “But you are an Aspirant. Honestly, I should have realized it the moment you proclaimed yourself a vampire.”
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“You know about vampires?”
Aurel shook his head. “I’ve only heard whispers, and these were nearly two hundred years ago. But they were spoken by someone who once was an Aspirant himself.” He pointed at Darian’s sword. “Now, can you please lower your weapon? As I said, I did not come to inflict violence.”
Looking at the elf’s soft face made Darian feel guilty, but he would not lower his weapon. “Aspirants have to kill each other, don’t they? That makes you my enemy.”
Aurel’s eye twitched, and he frowned. “That may be what the system desires, but not all of us are so quick to heed its call for bloodshed.” He took a deep breath and closed his eyes for a moment. “This world has been locked in an endless struggle for power since before I was born. But now the sea of blood rises, and I fear we may all drown in the coming tide.”
“What do you mean?”
His eyes opened, revealing a deep pool of sadness. “The Gods of this world tire of their endless struggles, and so they have committed fully to destroying one another. Argus attempted to bring peace, but with his death, there can be only war. A war that will shake the foundations of the world and bring about its ruin.”
Darian didn’t know what to say. He wanted to distrust this strange elf, but something deep within his soul told him Aurel spoke the truth.
----------------------------------------
Quest Added: Light Killer
Objective: Kill (**ERROR**)
Bonus Objective: Kill Aurel Abate
* Reward: 1000 Class XP
* Reward: 150 Race XP
* Bonus Reward: +1 [Divine Essence]
----------------------------------------
“I see the system already wishes for you to kill me and my master.” Aurel stared at the screen floating before Darian’s face with disgust. “How many lives have been lost due to its crooked influence, I wonder?”
“Why is there an error?” Darian asked, trying to keep his attention focused on the elf.
“Some aspects of the system, such as knowing someone’s true name, can be blocked or altered. It is one of the many things we have discovered over the centuries.” He smiled. “And we can show you how to do this, if you would like to join us.”
“Join you?” Darian didn’t like where this was going.
“Yes. My master and his benefactor are gathering their forces. For by this time next year, the Godwar will commence in full.” He stepped closer, Darian tensing. “The system directs and pulls at each Aspirant and each God, pitting them against each other. Even now, an Aspirant of plague searches for my master with the intent of taking his life.”
“This plague,” Darian said, nodding in the direction of the longhouse. “It was caused by an Aspirant then, wasn’t it?”
“It was. But their divine skill should still be in its fledgling state. No, to be capable of this, the plague Aspirant would need a powerful ally.” He looked Darian up and down. “Which is why we need others to join us.”
“Think I will have to pass on that offer.” Darian lowered his weapon. “I want no part in some Godwar or whatever.”
Aurel hunched his shoulders. “Be that as it may, this war will come for all of us, sooner or later. No matter where you run or where you hide, there will be no escaping it.”
“Suppose we will just have to see about that.”
Aurel smirked. “I will not pressure you into joining us. Though you are lucky I sense goodness in you.” His eyes narrowed. “For I will eliminate all threats to my master and his allies.”
“I get it,” Darian said. “But I don’t wish to fight you, your master, or anyone else. I only seek to find a place for myself in this world.” Well, me and the new race beneath my feet.
Aurel nodded. “An understandable objective and one that rings true. But if you ever change your mind about joining us, head to Ulsfil and ask for me at the Purple Rose inn on the north side of the city. The people there will help you.”
“I’ll consider it,” Darian lied. He had enough troubles right now without fighting other Aspirants.
A moment of silence passed between them until Aurel straightened his back and looked into the distance. “Though my master wishes for me to observe his elixir at work, seeing you has reminded me of the many threats to his life.”
“Durance’s elixir, you’re the one who delivered it?”
“I am. My master has a soft heart, and he does not wish to see people suffer. But it’s more than that. An Aspirant’s divine skill grows in power the more it’s used. We fear the plague Aspirant will grow in strength the more lives his plagues claim, and so we must develop a counter to them if we hope to halt his power.”
“A noble goal,” Darian said, placing Sparkblade into his inventory. “And I hope you do find a cure.” He looked down, his ears picking up the sound of Jorg becoming restless.
Aurel followed Darian’s gaze. “It seems you are needed elsewhere.” He turned, solid shadows encasing him. “Fare well, Aspirant of Blood. May we meet again during better times.”
As soon as Aurel jumped down from the roof, Darian could no longer hear him. But with the elf gone, Darian was free to return to Jorg.
He found the Justiciar standing by the front door, his eyes wide and hungry.
“Fria will return soon,” Darian assured once more. “I can’t let you go out there.”
“I understand,” Jorg replied. “But I pray to Argus you are right, for the others have begun to rise.”