Abigail stared at the dragon descending from the sky. It was black with shimmering red and orange every time it moved its wings. Abigail did not like dragons, but something about this one was beautiful. She couldn't help but stare. She finally broke her gaze to look at Vincent. He was readying his bow, getting prepared for a fight. Her thoughts of the beautiful dragon were interrupted because she noticed the dragon had a rider; the rider's look told her to relax.
"Vin… lower your weapon. It is a baby dragon. It is soul-linked, most likely to that rider that I see." Abigail whispered.
"Well well well what do we ave ere." a burly voice growled behind the two. "Oi dragon… yer kind ain't welcomed ere ye best be getting on ye way." A strong aura started to rush out of the man. This man was a large, broad man; he wore combat pants with two belts worn across his torso, making an X across his muscular chest. He was brandishing a massive battleaxe.
"Are you the boss of this park?" Ob responded coldly. "Are parks not open to the public? We have had a long journey and are needing rest. We'll be gone tomorrow."
"No, laddy, ye won't. Ye'll be goien naow. I don't want to tell ye again." Anger was rising in the man; his patience was growing thin, and he was entering a battle stance.
Ob's eyes flashed anger, but a word from Eclipse forced him to turn around and mount his dragon. They took off without another word.
After 10 minutes of flying, they found a cave beside a lake. It looked old and abandoned but covered and dry, at least to Ob. The two rested for the night, making a campfire and relaxing. The two did not speak much, as Ob was still very frustrated. Ob was not happy. He does not like bullies. He does not like being told his friend or his friend's kind is not welcome. But what Eclipse told him was correct. He doesn't know anything about this world. The rules, how to fight, how to use powers, how to identify anything, let alone another hostile person. It was best that they retreated and rested.
Ob needed to learn.
"Mark My words… he'll pay. No one is that strong to be that rude. He'll pay…" Ob whispered in anger. He was just loud enough for his soul-link partner to hear. Eclipse looked up and grinned. Who was this man? she thought, why was he so fired up to defend her? They only just met? He treats me like family, better than my own kind. Whatever his reasoning is, I appreciate him and it. She nodded off asleep.
Ob spent some time looking over his notifications, "15. Damn. 15. Alright, here we go. VON?"
He tried to adjust them from most important to least but gave up because he didn't know.
You have gained the nurtured power: Slayer.
You have displayed an ability to kill creatures well above your level. You have stood in the face of dangers higher than you and held firm. You have proven to have a resolve to never be shaken. Slayers are strong and fearless. Slayers have inherited boosts to strength, Manna, and vitality when fighting monsters at higher levels than you.
Bonus reward: Slayer +1 from defeating the wraith has been applied.
Slayer +10% - bonus on all attributes are given an additional 10% (passive, unlimited).
Item: Spectral Cloak
Bondable Item
Legendary
The Cloak matches the spectral aura of the wielder. This is a bondable item. Once bonded, the item will unlock a skill within the Nurtured Powerset. You have the qualifications to bond. Bond? Yes/No?
Yes,
Bond is being established. Spectral Cloak bonded with nurtured power: Slayer. This has produced the skill: Stalker.
Nurtured Power: Slayer
Skill 1: Stalker
The Spectral Cloak has bonded to you and has given you the skill to hide in the shadows. When activated, the Cloak will dim the orange and red glow to hide you in the shadows. It will cover your aura and soul to anything below your level.
Item: Ice Stone
Keystone Item
Rare
Use this item to unlock a skill that is related to ice. Would you like to use it? Yes/No?
Can I give it to Eclipse?
Use the item on soul-link Princess Eclipse of the Astrological North Clan? Yes/No?
Yes.
Item: Ice Stone
Keystone Item
Rare
Has been used on the soul-link Princess Eclipse of the Astrological North Clan. She has been given the power to breathe ice. Ice breath, harness the power of a blizzard with your breath. The stronger the user's level, the more violent the breath.
Ob didn't know how Eclipse would react or if she could already breathe ice. He had a suspicion that the stone would have no effect if that were true. Despite barely meeting her, Ob felt a deeper soul connection than he thought he would. This was something he cherished, and he never wanted her to feel disappointed in him. Ob knew that if they would be doing this forever, he needed to take care of him and trust she would do the same. That is why he decided to give her the item.
Item: Spellcaster's Guide
Consumable Item
Uncommon
A guide to learn about spell casting. Consume to have the knowledge enter your mind. Consume? Yes/No?
Eh, no, maybe I should wait for this item. Casting spells seems essential, but I still need to figure out what that means. It's common, anyway. Ob responded.
Gift Item: Soul Home Builder
This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.
Craftable Item
????
You have been given a gift. Soul Home Builder is a craftable item that allows you to construct a living space within your soul to let your soul-links live. The home can be customized as much as possible, and this item will be consumed after use. Would you like to construct a soul home for soul-link Princess Eclipse of the Astrological North Clan? Yes/No?
Yes.
Soul Home is being constructed; it will be finished in 1 day.
Objective: Join a federation
You have successfully made it into this dimension; it is time to pick your allegiance. Which federation will you choose? Explorer Federation, Guardian Federation, or the Maverick Federation.
Explorers Federation: This is for those seeking to find new things. Beauty and Wonder. Venture into uncharted territory, create maps, find caverns, and explore forests. Whatever you want, do it as long as you seek and explore.
Guardian Federation: Have a knack for protecting those who can't defend themselves? Are you a healer, Enchantress, or a tank? Defenders Fed is the place for you. You are the first and last line of defense against the enemies. Protect at all costs.
Maverick Federation: The hardest federation to get into. Any new brave soul wanting to be the sword to the guardian's shield. You live the life of both explorers and defenders. Seek new dangers and protect those from harm. Deal heavy damage.
Status: Princess Eclipse of the Astrological North Clan
Dragon
Bronze Level: 5
Skill: Dragon's Breath
* Fire
* Dark
* Ice
* Empty
* Empty
Skill: Empty
Skill: Empty
Ability: Solar Eclipse
Harness the power of a solar eclipse. Those that are looking at you during this time will be temporarily blinded. Act as a torch in a dark place.
Ability: Training Partner
You have accepted a soul-link; you and your connection can now spar and train without damaging one another. Bestow knowledge through a soul connection, feel what they feel, understand what they are thinking, and communicate.
Status: Ob Jones.
Race: human subset, earthling.
Level 1: Normal.
Natural Power - Draconian Ally - Level 1
Skill: Dragon's Breath - Level 1
Skill: Dragon's Hide - Level 1
Nurtured Power - Slayer - Level 1
Skill: Stalker - Level 1
Skill: Empty
Federation Power - Undecided
Skill: Empty
Skill: Empty
Ability: Dimension Skipper has evolved to Way of the Dragon
You have woken up in a different dimension; your new first dimension was one that was ruled by dragons. You have created a soul-link with a particularly powerful dragon race, thus evolving your ability. The Way of the Dragon allows the ability to live in multiple dimensions. Flight and teleportation are now available to learn. Magical senses and manna pools have increased significantly. ????, ????, and ????
Ability: Earthling has evolved to Aura Manipulation
You have created a soul-link with a particularly powerful dragon race, thus evolving your ability. Aura Manipulation increases UI, allowing the user to see how difficult it would be to manipulate an aura. Users can now learn how to control aura. Users can now see other's souls. Users can now learn how to control souls.
Aura Manipulation Level 1. Current level allows internal aura manipulation.
Soul Manipulation Level 1. Current level allows internal soul manipulation.
Warning: soul and aura manipulation are extremely hard to level up. A dangerous craft, proceed with caution. Lest things turn poorly. Progress to Celestine 0%.
Status: Hidden Ability Unlocked
Ability: Absolute Resolve
You have swallowed your fear to hold steady in the face of grave dangers. You are now immune to fear aura attacks of those from a maximum of one level higher. Fear Aura attacks from at least two levels higher do reduced damage. You have gained bonuses to your soul and aura defenses. Fear Spells from your level or lower result in boone to strength.
Progress to Celestine? What is a Celestine? What does that even mean? Ob thought, am I becoming less human? How is that even possible? What is going to happen to me when I get to that point? How am I even progressing to Celestine? My guy, there is so much new stuff. I have so much training to do. So much about this world that makes zero sense. Maybe Eclipse can help me, and we can train together, maybe she can answer some of my questions. Before we go to any federation, it will be important to learn more.
Status: VON Level up
VON is now level 3.
VON has upgraded. VON can now automatically read anyone's stats through the UI. Simply command VON to give a breakdown of the levels, powers, and individual stats of the one you want. VON can now speak notification.
Finally, Ob had finished all the notifications. He was learning, beginning to understand this world, and if he was honest with himself… he loved it. He was gaining power; he seemed to be very strong. That thrilled him to the core. Finally, Finally, he could do something about all those who mistreat him. Who mistreats his friends. He desperately wanted to know why and how he was brought here; that could wait. He had more learning to do. Ob. Passed out.
----------------------------------------
As Abigail whispered to Vincent, he heard giant, gruff footsteps walking this way. Vincent could recognize those steps from anywhere. Moris, he thought to himself. I hate this dude. Moris was a brute, a big guy full of power and not a bit of compassion in his large body. Moris was not a human, he actually was a werewolf, an Alpha Werewolf, to be exact. They are known to be hotheads in their human form; the second they turn into their Alpha form, they are savages. They attack anything that they decide is their enemy. It was well known that Moris hated dragons.
Vincent was surprised to hear that the man had defended the dragon; he was impressed. He had never heard of a soul-link, so he would have to ask his genius companion when the tension had died. There was something about that man, though. To be a Normal tier and not be afraid of a Gold tier was crazy, no.. unheard of. Vincent was confident; this was the one to be on their team, and they needed to follow him.
"Oi, hunter laddy. Vincent ain't it." Moris said to him "ye ever seen a dragon like that before?"
"Umm, no.." Vincent replied, shocked that Moris knew his name.
"Hmm," Moris said, scratching his full and messy beard, "I best not be seein' that laddy again. How dare a normal tier talk to me like that? He must be crazy. But I tell ye, that dragon is trouble. All dragons are trouble… where they come from, I don't know, but I aim to find out. We got to kill the whole lot of 'em."
"You mean to kill all dragons?" Abigail said accidentally, her shock letting the words out without her noticing.
"Ye some kind uh dragon lova, missy?" Morris said, raising an eyebrow
"No!" Abigail said quickly, "I am just impressed; dragons are tough buggers to kill."
Moris bellowed a deep, shaking laugh. "I guess yer right there, missy! But so am I!" He continued laughing, doubled over. "Thank ye missy, that is exactly what I needed. Take care, ye two. Be sure to report if ye see any other dragons, ye ear?"
The two simply nodded and watched him stomp off. They waited till he was well out of earshot.
"I think we should follow those two," Vincent said first.
"Wait, you too?" Abigail asked. "I thought I was going to have to convince you. Waiiit" Eyes narrowed. "Why do you want to?"
Vincent chuckled, "We are a great pair, eh? The man. He stood up to that Pseudo without blinking an eye. That is ballsy. I'm impressed. I think he would be a great addition to our party. Why do you? Let me guess…"
"The dragon," they said at the same time. Abigail blushed. She thought he must be feeling the same. He must.
"Abs?" Vincent said quietly. "I have something I have to tell you. And we should start heading following the trail."
Abigail's heart skipped a beat. She couldn't speak; she just nodded, and they strode towards Ob. They both were walking in awkward silence until she finally said, "What is it that you need to tell me, Vin?"
Vincent stopped. Looked her in the eyes and simply said, "Us."
"Us?" Abigail's voice barely a whisper now.
"Look, that dude was handsome, and I know magic makes us all good-looking, but he was something different. Before we meet him, he bats his eyes at you because you are just as attractive…" He drew in a deep breath. "Abigail, I like you a lot. I have for quite some time, and I don't want to tell you in case things go poorly one way or another. If you don't feel the same, I get it." Before she could reply, he turned and continued walking. "Don't cry, don't throw up, don't cry, don't throw up." He told himself.
Abigail stood there in shock for a second. This was it. It was finally the moment she had longed for the best person she could ever think of to confess his feelings. As she got out of shock, she noticed he was several paces ahead of him. Racing after him, she simply grabbed his hand, interlocked her fingers, and kissed him on the cheek. Whispered in his ear, "Bout damn time, hunter." The two of them were now grinning ear to ear, holding each other's hands; for the first time, they were a party and more than friends.