Chapter Thirteen- Bond
Getting the bear out of the pit had been the most taxing thing that they had done so far. Mark was exhausted, but relished in the heat of the fire they sat around, as well as the succulent, substantial slab of bear meat he was eating. While he was a little regretful that they had declined to come up with a method of retrieval for the bear beforehand, he wasn’t about to argue with the results. They hadn't, unfortunately, been able to make full use of the bear. They had removed the pelt, as well as the best cuts, using their knives. It was messy work. They had needed to work quickly before any other creature came to take advantage of their kill, and so by the time they had hauled both themselves and the maximum amount of meat they could carry up and out of the pit, they were covered in blood and viscera to an exceedingly uncomfortable extent.
But, he thought to himself, freshly showered and chowing down on their best meal yet, it was all worth it. It wasn’t as if the guts and remaining flesh of the creature would be going to waste, either. The same colorful seabirds that had lined the sea cliffs their first day on the island began circling overhead only minutes after they had begun to process the animal, and as they had walked away with their haul, the birds were already landing in the pit behind them.
The best part of their success wasn’t even the meal, however. They had both leveled from the encounter, and as Mark took the last bite of his bear steak, he was ready. “I’m going to look at my status,” he said, and Lilliana nodded, still chewing on her piece. “I’ll keep watch.” she sent back. Without further ado, he opened his status.
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Class: Beastmaster of the Northern Lakes has leveled from [lvl 1] -> [lvl 2].
Class skill levels raised by 1.
Base statistics raised by 1.
Class skill gained: Familiar.
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This time, when Mark dismissed the notification, he was surprised to also find another.
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Water Generation has leveled from [lvl 1] -> [lvl 2].
Control increased.
Affinity: Water has leveled from [lvl 1] -> [lvl 2].
Affinity skill gained: Weak Temperature Control.
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Class Status page:
Name: Mark Vanderbilt
Species: Human
Class title: Beastmaster Of The Northern Lakes [lvl 2][Unique Class]
Class Affinity: Water [lvl 2]
Class description: Utilize your immense knowledge of aquatic creatures and powerful grip over water to facilitate a mental bond with creatures of the depths. While powerful on your own, on the water you can become a formidable threat not even the likes of wyverns would choose to face lightly.
Class skills: [4]
Bestiary [lvl 2]:
This passive skill collects all of your observations and findings about any creature, be they animal or monster, and catalogs them for you. Findings can be accessed in the ‘Bestiary’ tab of your status page. The more you know about a creature, the easier it is for you to establish a bond.
Aquatic Analysis [lvl 2]:
Using this active skill on a target causes you to enter an elevated state of focus, allowing you to gain a better understanding of the target’s strengths, abilities, and weaknesses. This skill works at a higher level of efficiency on aquatic beings, allowing your awareness of your surroundings not to falter. [Mana cost 3]
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Initiate Bond [lvl 2]:
Initiate a mental invitation for a creature to bond with you. Great knowledge of the creature you are attempting to bond with and a shared affinity are required for success. If you should succeed, you will be left with a staunchly loyal ally. Upon failure, the creature will remember you, and be less likely to accept a bond later on. Effectiveness scales with skill level. [Mana cost 45]
Familiar [single use]:
You may apply this skill to any one creature you have bonded to, permanently allowing both of you to make partial use of the other’s skills. [Warning: Single Use Skill] [Mana cost 100]
Affinity Skills: [2]
Weak Water Generation [lvl 2]:
Spend mana to generate pure water. Volume of water per point of mana scales with skill level.
Weak Water Manipulation [lvl 2]:
Spend mana to manipulate water. Pure water costs less mana to manipulate. Mana usage scales to the volume of water manipulated. Mana cost effectiveness scales with skill level.
Weak Temperature Control [lvl 1]:
Gain control over the temperature of water. Pure water costs less mana to alter its temperature. Mana cost depends on the initial temperature of the water as compared to the temperature you are attempting to make it.
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Beyond that point, nothing had changed- but that was fine. His class skills had all leveled, as well as his affinity skills. There was no stated benefit to his bestiary or aquatic analysis skills, but he had gained effectiveness in his bond skill, as well as his first new skill. He shot a look at the little dragon. The familiar skill intrigued him to no end, but it came with a warning. Single use, it says, he thought. It seems that I’ve been given a perfect opportunity. He opened the bestiary, and focused on one specific thing.
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Chance Of Bond Success: 92% [+ 10% Imprint bonus]
The bond is guaranteed to form.
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The bond is guaranteed to form, huh? Mark wondered, cringing as he remembered as he stared at the tiny little dragon that had weaseled its way into his heart. He really needed a name, but he and Lilliana had been putting it off. “Lilliana,” he said. She turned to him, the flickering light of the fire bouncing off her pretty features, pronounced in the fading daylight. As he looked at her, he remembered how it had felt to become bonded to her. He may appreciate it now, but at the time, it had felt like being hit with a truck. Now, he needed to form another bond, and had no idea how he might react. As Lilliana looked at him, waiting, he spoke. “I can initiate the bond now.” “That's great!” she responded. “It is,” he said. “But I really don't know what’s going to happen once I do.” She nodded understandingly. Without another word, the two of them collected themselves and got to their feet.
Mark put out the fire with ease he found shocking, his water generation having increased noticeably in effect, and scooped up the dragonlet with one hand before they entered the cabin. He set the sleepy little guy on one side of the bed, and sat himself on the other. He took a deep breath, and initiated the skill.
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Initiate Bond with Infant Water Dragonlet?
Yes
No
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Mark glanced at Lilliana, who leaned against the doorframe, watching the situation with a keen eye. She met his gaze, and nodded reassuringly to him before blowing him a kiss. He flushed, but was, in fact, suitably reassured by the gesture. Yes, he thought.
Then the world went dark.
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Lilliana rushed to keep Mark from hitting his head as he slumped. A sharp, familiar twinge of pain reached her through their bond, and she staggered. Worried, she inserted herself on the bed between the two. She settled Mark's head in her lap, and though she could sense him through their bond, felt his wrist for a pulse. Finding it, she breathed a sigh of relief and turned her attention to the dragon who was now intently staring at her unconscious partner. Sea green eyes positively glowed with magic, and suddenly Mark stirred against her. He said nothing as he rose to stare deep into the eyes of the dragon. His eyes, usually a rich, warm brown, now glowed the same mysterious green color as the dragon’s. The room grew suffocatingly humid; a thick fog overwhelming her vision.
With little warning, she felt herself drawn into the swirling mist. Her mind became separate from her body, and Lilliana felt as if she’d been transported to another world once more. Mark and the dragon were gone, and in their place, apparitions appeared. A man and woman, standing proud against some great beast, great furrows carved into the earth around them. A dragon roaring, leveling an army with ease. The man turning to the dragon, one arm outstretched, the woman with her arm on his shoulder. The great beast watching them, and seemingly approving of what he saw, pressing his huge muzzle to the man’s out-turned palm. Bright light flashing- lightning crackling at the contact. A low rumble of rolling thunder, and a sharp pain in her right hand.
Then, as soon and as quickly as it had begun, the illusion dissipated. The air cleared, the pain stopped and Mark flopped back against her, still unconscious. Lilliana let out a deep breath that she hadn’t known she’d been holding. A wave of exhaustion hit her. It's been a long day, she thought. Her palm now throbbed. The constant, dull ache was reminiscent of a burn, but the pain was easing fast. The rhythmic sound of raindrops drumming against the roof calming her, she quickly fell into the sweet embrace of sleep.