The two of them fled the clearing in case they had back up coming, although they probably wouldn't of expected the death of three B ranked adventurers. Soren still didn't want to risk running into more trouble, so they ran to a cave on the outskirts of the town as their new base of operations. Once at the cave the two of them decided to take care of some management things for their systems. Skadi looked at the options for upgrading her unarmed combat skill, and she felt conflicted. She thought her muy thai was an upgraded form of her unarmed combat but now looking at her options she felt she was wrong.
'I have never seen my skills level up, let alone give me so many options, who are you Soren? What are each of these?'
The moment she thought what these fighting styles were a more detailed description came, Skadi was shocked she had never had details like this, most of her evolutionary pathways were unexplained and people in her tribe would pick something they were familiar with. Skills, if they had even leveled up, would normally just evolve naturally and weren't even given options.
Skadi looked over these styles and felt one of the other two more spoke to her, 'Choose Nemean Lion Baran'.
Similar to Soren, a torrent of knowledge flooded Skadi's mind as she began to watch a phantom perform all the basic moves, techniques, and forms. She began to memorize and familiarize herself with everything, and even though it felt like a couple hours to her, this all took place in just a few minutes. She'd have to practice for a while to get really familiar with it, upon opening her eyes a scent she didn't realize was around continually assailed her nose. 'Was that scent always around Soren? Maybe I should face upwind from him from now on,' she thought.
Soren began doing some of his own system management as well.
System use the random ability box
Soren's eyes nearly popped out of his head, 'An S ranked ability!! This is only my second S ranked ability but I have no idea what the hell this does, maybe I can't get sick??'
While Soren was mesmerized by his system notifications, Skadi maneuvered around Soren for better positioning before dropping down to one knee and placing her hand over her heart, Soren stared back at her confused for a moment before he had remembered.
Skadi recited in formal tone, "Soren, it is almost solely because of you that I was able to improve my power so significantly within such little time, including upgrading skills. Your abilities are beyond anything I have seen from the short time we've been traveling together, I even get multiple options for upgrading skills which is unheard of in the entirety of my tribe. I have this feeling that if I stay with you, I'd be able to reach heights I would never have dared to dream of. I do not take this lightly when I say that upon my honor, if you have me, I want to be your blood-bound companion.
Soren scrutinized Skadi under a keen eye, 'System, what is a blood bound companion? Is it like a slave? What will accepting do?'
Soren accepted both through the system and verbally to Skadi. She had a radiant smile on her face as she ran off for a few minutes. Soren was momentarily taken aback because he had no idea what was going on. He had never spent much time around woman and even less time trying to understand them. After a few minutes she came darting back with a rock she had spent some time making razor sharp. Skadi began, "It is a ritual in my tribe to perform the blood bound ceremony, there is slight magic involved and the companionship will be recognized by both the gods that blessed us. Are you ready?"
This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.
"Are you sure? Isn't this a big step," ask Soren who started to panic. Not being affected and doing a ritual recognized by gods made Soren's resolve waiver slightly as it seemed that this was not just some ritual. Skadi settled herself down and with a tone as serious as she could muster with zero inflection responded in the affirmative. The girl had never been so sure of anything. With a resolve like that Soren had no choice but to concede. She had to explain the ritual to him so it would go off without a hitch, "We have to choose some sort of spirit as a representation of our companionship, once we have settled on said spirit, I will channel mana into this rock blade and do my best to draw the spirit into your chest.
Upon looking at Soren's face she felt the need to explain further, "It's not like I'm gouging out your heart, just enough to draw a bit of blood, you can't do blood bound without, you know, blood. Anyway, once that is done you will channel mana through the rock blade and do your utmost to draw the same spirit into my back once the drawing is complete you must embrace me in a way that the blood mixes. If the gods accept the companionship, the blood will be transformed into a design of the spirit as a type of seal or tattoo. The gods make them look pretty too so you don't have to worry about your artistic abilities."
The two of them contemplated for about an hour before finally settling on a spirit they thought was fitting for them and it took a while for them to agree. At first Skadi suggested a wolf, which in Soren's opinion was not bad but he felt it lacked something. Her suggesting the first spirit was a blessing for Soren because he was completely lost at the idea of creating one. He had guessed that by drawing a "spirit" it was just a representation or something symbolic of their team. Soren had suggested the sun but Skadi thought that was too plain. Going back and forth between the two of them they had finally settled on a phoenix. A mythical bird of rebirth, grace, and immortality. Soren thought it was a powerful spirit that would inspire others. With the spirit settled upon Skadi channeled her mana through the stone blade and as artistically as she could, drew a phoenix in the center of his chest.
Soren rolled his eyes, 'I'm a bit worried my regeneration will interfere with this.'
'Well that's never happened before.'
With Soren's "drawing" complete Skadi turned around very slowly and started unbuckling her armor Soren had found it strange that she wasn't undressing like he would, instead she went slowly buckle for buckle, strap for strap. Right before she tore her armor off she turned her back towards him, making him gulp. She was leaned slightly forward and Soren was now acutely aware of the contours of her back, her eyes as she stared back at him while her arms covered her front from being revealed to the world. It took a moment for Soren to snap back to reality as he began to carve a phoenix into the back of Skadi. It was not pretty, he most certainly wasn't an artisan nor did he know any that specialized in blood but accepting Skadi's word for it he wrapped his arms around her and pressed his chest into her back allowing their blood and symbols collide. It took only a moment the blood between them began to shine and soon that light enveloped the both of them as the gods accepted their companionship. Once the light had faded from the both of them he could see a beautiful design of the phoenix imprinted on her back and looking down an exact replica on his chest. While he was inspecting his tattoo Skadi invaded his space and kissed him passionately on the lips, a few tears of happiness running down her face, "We have bound successfully, husband."
'HUSBAND!!! WHAT???!'
**************************************
Jame's POV
"It's with great displeasure and heartache that I stand here before you all. I have thoroughly enjoyed being your mayor, but as of today I will no longer be able to fulfill that position. I am vacating the position to Jill who, until the guild sends a replacement, shall take place for any and all situations. I appreciate your support till now," James removed himself from the podium that was set up for his meeting with the village. He was in a rush to write the letter to the guild asking for a replacement mayor. James was unaware of what consequences came with his announcement to the village, Cane the wolf beast man who resided in Soren's old home was in attendance. Upon the conclusion of the meeting he donned his travelers cloak and took off for the forest. Even though he was more man than beast, him being a wolf allowed him to track Soren's scent through the forest.
____________________________________________________________________
Soren
Race: Trollkin Variant: Herculean
Class: War God
Level: 12/25
Health: 600/600
Str: 103
Dex:77
Def: 75
Int:58
Vitality:120
Charisma:60
Magic: 100
Luck:100
Bloodline: Royal
$%* ^$ &#(@!
Blessing:???????
skill points (SP) available:35, 30 shop currency (SC), free upgrade skill box x2, random skill box x1,
abilities: [30% Magic Resistance-C] [Reciprocated Helper-C] [Charm Immunity-B] [Poison Immunity-A] [Indomitable Will-B] [Iron Hide-c] [Assassins Vision-B] [Troll Libido-D] [Hydra Regeneration-S] [Trolls Musk-D] [Omnispecies Reproduction-F] [Magic Amp-A] [Mana Cost Reduction-B] [Magical Malady Immunity-S]
Magic:
[light-D] [Radiant-B] [Holy-A] [Lightning-A] [Gravity-A] [Space/Time-B+] [Shadow- A]
Lightning Spells:
[Lightning Spear lvl-4] [Lightning Whip lvl-2] [Reflux lvl-2] [Lightning Guard lvl-1] [Zakir lvl-2]
Light Spells:
[Light lvl-1] [Healing Touch lvl-1] [Bedazzlement lvl-1] [Restoration lvl-1]
Shadow Spells:
[Shadow Spike lvl-2] [Shadow Meld lvl-2]
Space/Time Spells:
[Blink strike lvl-1]
skills: [Sanguine Flash lvl 1] [Polearm Mastery lvl 4] [Clawed Slash lvl 2] [Inspect lvl 3] [Unarmed Combat lvl 4] [Spike Bombardment lvl 3] [Concealment lvl 1] [Hunters Stride lvl 1] [Sonic Blast lvl 4] [Dash lvl 3] [Haste Strike lvl 3] [Sunder lvl 2]
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Inventory
-Advanced Ice magic tome
-1100 gold pieces
-black blade sword (midnight)
-lunar lance
-3 health potions
-2 mana potions
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Level: 29/30
Health: 625/625
Str: 115
Dex:75
Def: 95
Int:63
Vit: 125
Cha: 100
Magic: 80
Magic:
[Ice magic]
Ice Spells:
[Artic Combat lvl-3] [Frostbite lvl-1] [Avalanche lvl-1]
skills:
[Nemean Lion Baran lvl 1] [Boulder Throw lvl 3] [Identify lvl 2]