PAIN AND PEACE
When morning came, I barely noticed a difference other than the slight warmth from the blotted sun. My convoy and I arrived at the foot of my lair. I floated up to the hilltop and took a seat as my familiars took care of the rest. They took the living citizens, the wagons of dead bodies, and carts of sealed enchanted gear and staged them near the sapling.
I took a long breath and fell onto my back with a soft smile. A bubbling feeling of security and safety engulfed me. I remembered this feeling. It happened before when I first became a vampire. A sense of power, safety, and, at the same time, a lingering encroaching fear of the outcome.
I had no idea what would come out of destroying that city. But using the current logic of what happened after slaying a few commoners encroaching on my lair, I should expect nearby nations to take action—either revenge or to claim the city's remains.
My stomach pulled me out of thought with a soft rumble, and I went to eat.
ABIMELECH
Are you aware that more will come for you?
Abi suddenly asked.
PAIN
Oh! You can talk!
I retorted sarcastically as I made my way.
PAIN
You have not answered my question.
ABIMELECH
Do you think I am evil?
He asked as I made my way through the Arachnid's Lair.
The spacious area was considerably polished compared to when I first arrived—thanks to my Skeleton Miners shoveling away loose dirt and Abi forcing me to practice Stone in here.
PAIN
Absolutely.
ABIMELECH
Pardon? I was not asking a question—I was clarifying the question.
I smiled to myself,
PAIN
But you are evil.
ABIMELECH
I am not.
He stated, and I noticed a bit of uncertainty.
PAIN
Hmph, this is the first time you stated something you were unsure of.
Guilt shook his soul, and he changed the subject.
ABIMELECH
Our morality is not the topic as of now. You must continue your training.
PAIN
After I eat.
I replied as I entered my room.
An hour later, the bodies and wagons were staged. I emerged from the shadows of the trees and into the wailing chorus of the few citizens still alive. I detoured slightly to Cain and Dean’s dug graves. The only two dead bodies I buried. I hated them. I truly did, but… maybe it was the time I spent with them that made it feel wrong to use their bodies as fuel for the sapling. So, I meditated for a moment at their burial sites before resuming my task.
I eventually reached the Incomplete Sapling of Lek and began telekinetically tossing the commoners into the sapling's thin bark. After witnessing the horrific death of the first ones, they began to scream out horror.
PAIN
Shut up!
I shouted in frustration and tossed them in pairs into the sapling—their bodies exploded forcefully into mana energy, and their belongings fell gently onto the snow. The sapling grew into a young tree, its branches sprouting out and reaching straight up into the sky rather than angling outward normally.
Mindlessly, I began to offer the dead bodies into the Incomplete Young Tree of Lek. Ten minutes in and with two-thirds sacrificed, the Incomplete Young Tree of Lek started to radiate with thick blue, red, and purple mana while hieroglyphs formed, swirling around the tree. I hurled another body into the tree, but the body simply bounced off the bark—repelled.
PAIN
What?
I shook my head, seemingly waking up.
I hurled another body, and it smacked against the bark. I noticed the hieroglyphs were speeding up, and along with them, the colorful aura twisted into a funnel.
It continued on, and I stared in awe. The funnel expanded, and a spurt of heat blew away the leaves. The branches twisted downward, going against the twister of mana, and wrapped themselves down the trunk. The branches seemed to squeeze the trunk slimmer—with each wring, the bark upon the tree smoothed out, and mana pulsed outward into the wind.
The funnel of mana ravaged the air, the snow, and nearby trees before ripping the Incomplete Young Tree of Lek out from the ground. I stepped back as it floated before me.
The squeezing intensity of the branches doubled, slimming the tree down to a rod and causing the bark to resemble smooth black dragon scales. The branches merged with the body, adding a rigid braided gold pattern down the rod.
The twister of mana ripped apart, and now two purple orbs of mana spiraled at both ends of the rod before compressing into two purple mana crystals that fused onto the ends of the rod. The fusing of the mana crystals marked the end of the rod's transformation, and a surge of power flowed into me.
The rod, on its own, had given me ownership over it, and I reached out my left hand. It flung itself into my palms, resembling Dominion's Authority. A moment of tranquility and emptiness overcame me as I squeezed the rod, feeling a mixture of rough and smooth textures.
The sense of emptiness left as the rod—Celestial: Wukong's Black Staff had finished its transformation, and a flurry of abilities came to mind—
Aptitude Acquired:
Greater En Strength(x), Great En Strength, Greater En Reflex(x), Great En Reflex(x), ???, Supreme Strong Body(x), Advanced Strong Body(x), Greater Strong Body, Greater Mana Emissions Resistance(x), Basic Resistance(x), Lesser Mana Emissions Resistance(x), Petty Mana Emissions Resistance, Basic Foresight(x), Lesser Foresight(x), Petty Foresight, Greater Mana Emissions Elemental Control(x), Great Elemental Control(x), Basic Elemental Control, Greater En Stamina(x), Great En Stamina, ???, Advanced Shadow Clone(x), Greater Shadow Clone(x), Great Shadow Clone(x), Shadow Clone(x), Lesser Shadow Clone(x), Petty Shadow Clone
Technique Available:
Transformation: Dynasty Warrior of Flower and Fruit
And it continued—
Aptitude Increased:
Greater Strong Body(1%), Basic Elemental Control(1%), Basic En Reflex(5%), Basic En Stamina(7%) Petty Shadow Clone(1%), Petty Mana Emissions Resistance(4%), Petty Foresight(5%)
And finally, I could feel the powers coursing within the staff; (Physical Affinities) Greater Size Alteration, Greater Durability , and (Power Affinity) Dominion's Authority.
I exhaled heavily and took a deep breath before realizing I was floating in the air. I relaxed and touched the ground, delving deep into my mind about the ???. I shook my head suddenly. Nothing came of it, and upon delving into it, my mind would go blank, seemingly forgetting everything for just a fraction before returning to me.
I then wondered about the Transformation—it was a technique—my first ever acquirable one. Thinking back to the book Raw Teachings of Willpower, Techniques and Skills Vol. 1 by Pit Lucas Lore, all known transformation techniques were acquirable only—they could not be learned.
PAIN
Time to see how strong I really am now.
I uttered to myself.
And so, for the next few hours, I trained my new abilities. I first tested the objective enchantments on Celestial: Wukong's Black Staff. Greater Size Alteration allowed the staff to completely change its size—growing longer, shorter, wider, or even so thin it nearly resembled a blade of black grass.
Floating above my lair, I was able to reach past the Old Tower with my staff at its standard girth. Unfortunately, it could not expand its width at such length, but I could not close my mouth as I gawked at the ridiculous reach. Not only that, but the speed of expanding and contracting depended on my concentration and mental prowess.
Combining its size alteration with Dominion Authority and its durability, I could spin the staff, ripping effortlessly through the southern woods as if a glorious blade had sliced through the land. I could even create devastating wind storms by commanding the staff to spin while extended. At max length, I nearly made a storm that engulfed the northern tip of the southern wilds.
PAIN
Celestial indeed.
I murmured before flying off back towards my lair.
Petty Shadow Clone was an interesting ability, allowing me to create dark shadowy clones of myself, including my worn enchanted gear and the staff. But, despite my gear being cloned as well, the shadow clones were not able to use any spells but were able to use skills.
Creating one shadow clone gave it a rough fifty percent of my strength and durability, and forming any more would split that fifty percent among them up to fifty clones. Dividing my stats to such a degree made the clones vanish from the slightest breeze or bump. Furthermore, my clones could not see or hear on their own and could only obey simple commands, which was unfortunate. I wanted to use them for labor since they were able to interact with physical objects.
The last thing I sought to test was Transformation: Dynasty Warrior of Flowers and Fruit. Peering into the details of the technique, I gained no knowledge other than that it was a technique. I decided to test the technique outside my lair and in the woods to be safe.
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Like all techniques,
PAIN
Transformation!
They were required to be spoken out loud.
PAIN
Dynasty Warrior of Flowers and Fruit!
The staff exploded into millions of dark grey and black flower petals that proceeded to swarm around me. Power and strength surged within me, and I felt lighter than air despite my body bulking with muscles.
My cursed arm and eye seemingly healed themselves, and dark grey fur grew over my arms and body with patterns resembling grey and dark grey flowers. My vampiric nature weakened, along with the pain and numbness in my right arm caused by the torpor curse.
My hands became identical to those of monkeys, but my palms were much more padded, and my claws were still jutting out from my fingertips. The clothing on my body vanished, yet I could still feel that they were still there as another set of loose-fitting clothing appeared—black sleeveless silk robes that split down at the sides starting at the waist and black silk trousers tucked into black ankle wrappings. My boots vanished, leaving my outwardly flexed hands for feet bare as I stood upon the tips of my toes? Fingers?
I laughed to myself but then stopped,
PAIN
That was not funny.
But for some reason, I felt giggly, having to force myself from smiling.
The remaining petals reformed back into the staff, and once I grabbed onto the staff, a tail jutted out from my lower back, whipping the wind away. I snorted, thinking I had just farted but quickly clenched my teeth.
PAIN
Why am I so... oh...
This transformation must be why I was so humorous.
Active Available:
Supreme Shadow Clone, Basic Foresight
Passive Available:
Greater En Strength, Greater En Reflex, Advanced Strong Body, Greater Magic Resistance, Greater Elemental Control, Greater En Stamina
I was granted the full power of the staff while transformed, except the ???, they were still hidden from me. Despite the might I now wielded, I refused to think I could take on everything and anything. I forced myself to think of the dragon that attacked the Fire Kingdom, Eldritch, and that Black Knight.
But, hmm, I wonder how easy it would be for me to slay Eldritch and her party now. As for the Black Knight, I knew nothing of his power since he beheaded me too quickly and left.
After testing my abilities, I retired to my room and de-activated my transformation. Upon returning back to normal, pain exploded throughout my body. My muscles had all become tight, nearly ripping apart before my regeneration kicked in.
Even with my regeneration, my body felt five times its weight, and I flopped onto my bed. Acute soreness washed over me, and I lost my ability to move about.
ABIMELECH
I see you have discovered a transformation ability.
His voice spouted off from behind me.
I laughed and gathered the energy to wiggle my hind,
PAIN
Came out to get a good look, have you?
I clenched my jaws, noticing I was still bubbly from my transformation.
PAIN
Sorry, that was the transformation talking.
ABIMELECH
Well,
He said pointedly.
ABIMELECH
I have to admit, you surely are an attractive young one.
I flushed with heat,
PAIN
What!?
*****
I jolted awake and began to shiver. My mind was a fog. I couldn't remember what happened, but as I moved my arms and leg and got my blood pumping, the throbbing pain at the back of my head reminded me.
I utterly lost to Ire... The sting of tears reached my eyes, and I cried softly. I was somewhere dark. I didn't bother to look around. I could only see the wooden floor and the wall inches from my face.
I should just kill myself. I slid my hand down my side and noticed my sword was not on my hilt. Then I remembered—I hurled it at Ire. I should've died along with everyone else. Who else did I have left? My family wouldn't even know that I was dead. They likely think I'm already dead.
Mantis and Panuka had their mothers back home. Mantis also had a younger sister. He had a dream to be one of the strongest Brawlers. Panuka wanted to grow old with me. We wanted to make enough puries to take care of all our issues. And the one thing we all wanted was to be famed heroes.
I moaned a pathetic cry at the thought, and tears streamed down my face. I just wanted these thoughts to end. I can't handle it. I knew the cold would consume me if I continued to lay here. I could hear it—the winter storm beating against this wooden shelter.
HILROY
Hurry up...
I mumbled.
HILROY
Put me to sleep... let me go already...
But to spite my sorrows, a ray of light struck my cheeks and forced my eyes open. Along with it, I heard voices shouting. It was coming from outside. I didn't want to listen! I shut my eyes, but I wasn't shivering anymore. The cold had subsided into a tingling chill. I clenched my jaws and groaned out in dismay.
VOICE
Fighters! Warriors! Step forward!
The voices became coherent, and I attempted to drown them out. But the more I tried to ignore them, the more I began to listen. I started to hear voices cursing out their sorrows. I began to hear voices cry and mourn out their pain.
VOICE
If you stay here, you will die! Pick up a sword!
But above all else, that voice calling for fighters was the loudest. Who was he? What was he on about? My mind began to focus on him, and my urge to die became a pathetic pang of pity for myself.
CHILD
Mother!
I heard a squeal behind me.
CHILD
A gent is here, mother!
I took several deep breaths as the sound of footsteps approached me. I felt their stares trickle up and down my body.
FATHER
Sir?
The voice I assumed to be either the father or older brother called out to me.
FATHER
Are you okay, sir?
Finally, I forced my numbed body to move. I looked up at the burly, fat gent, and he looked back at me with deep concern.
Don't look at me like that, I wanted to say, but I said nothing as I lumbered past his rambles of concern. Why didn't he and his family die instead of Panuka? But the answer came as I nearly tripped over a hatch's latch. An underground room? Of course.
As I fumbled through the dull home, I wondered why Farengar hadn't created us one. Why did I have to listen to him? Maybe if we had stayed in the inn with the Warming Crystals, we'd all be alive. He would still be alive!
I forced open the door, and it broke off its hinges in my anger. I stepped into the masked light of the sun. Clouds still blotted the sky. The wind was soft, but the chills prickled my skin. I stared at the commoners, adventurers, and a few soldiers moving with haste or ambling about.
Why couldn't these bastards die instead of Panuka? Why were they alive? What bastard of a god allowed them to live? They were nothing. They strove to be nothing but commoners, struggling every day just to make it another day. But then, who in damnation am I!?
I realized I hadn't moved since exiting. I stood there for minutes, questioning my choices in life. What should I do now? I had no puries, no weapon, no food... My eyes watered again, and lost in my thought, a short body came crashing into me, embracing me in a firm hug.
MILLICENT
Hilly!
She wailed into my torso.
MILLICENT
You're alive! Thank the gods.
I nearly pushed her off—her short stature made her sobbing tickle my stomach, and I was in no mood. But she pulled her face away and looked up at me with a face full of tears and happiness.
I slowly put my arms around her. She was hurting, and seeing me brought her some relief. I hate to admit it, but it felt good... to hug someone. But I didn't want to be too comfortable again and slowly pried myself away from her.
I looked away from her tearful, confused look as my own eyes watered.
MILLICENT
Wait! Hilly!
HILROY
Don't call me that!
I croaked angrily.
VOICE
Hilroy.
The stern voice called out, and I turned to see Gate donned in his full suit of steel armor upon a brown steed.
GATE
We could use your help.
He stated, and I glanced down at Millicent.
MILLICENT
Please come with us!
I gave Gate a confused look and a shrug.
GATE
The city has been officially abandoned. The Chief is dead. The Treasury has been sacked, and the guards are numbered.
He stated powerfully. But through the slits of his visor, I could see the twinkle of tears moistening his deep red pupils.
GATE
We gather those willing to fight—commoners, guards, and soldiers alike. We are invoking our refugee status. It will allow us to be officially part of North Star Kingdom for an entire year.
He explained. Meanwhile, I was wondering what the point of it all was? Why live to suffer another day?
HILROY
I don't even have a sword.
I mumbled without thinking.
GATE
Do not fret.
He commanded and materialized a short sword sheathed in a polished scabbard. He tossed it toward me, and my reflex kicked in to grab hold of it. But as I grabbed it, my sorrows drained my energy, and the weight of the sword slung me down.
GATE
Do not falter, Hilroy. Turn anger and sorrows into conviction.
He stated sternly.
GATE
I understand your pain all too well. Overcome this, and you will become a distinguishable warrior.
And with that, he returned to recruit more adventurers, leaving Millicent and me to solemnly eye one another.