After what seemed like hours of traveling underground, Ali’s group finally began their ascent until they were outside the city. With several mountain ranges between them and Vliland, he couldn’t see what was happening in the city. At the same time, the mountain ranges served to conceal their movement so they could flee a battle they couldn’t possibly win.
“I will return to escort more people out,” said the guide. “Proceed deeper into that cave and you’ll find a temporary base of ours. Once everyone is accounted for, the airship there will evacuate everyone to a safe location.”
Ali watched as the guide went down the tunnels until the man was swallowed up by the darkness. He then followed Belen and the others as they went into the cave. An hour later, they reached the base which was once a mine. The accommodations were acceptable but everyone present was clearly anxious to leave the place. Ali felt the same but, for the next few days, he chose to get accustomed to his new surroundings. To distract himself from his anxiety, he had both his stat points and new skill along with exploration. From what he learned, the mines’ past was unknown to the Dark Cult so there could be secrets or treasures to be found by the daring.
First, I need more survivability. I also need more MP regen. Five points don’t go very far, do they?
After a few more seconds of pondering, Ali made his decision.
<
Allocating stat points….
Strength: +1
Constitution: +2
Wisdom: +2
Updating user info….
Name: Ali Cissoko
Level: 4 ( 37 / 68 XP to Level Up)
HP: 41/41
MP: 12/12
Strength: 7
Constitution: 12
Intelligence: 11
Survival: 9
Wisdom: 14
User info fully updated.
>
The extra health should come in useful as long as I don’t face foes that are much stronger. Next time, I’ll need a bit more MP too. My MP pool is far too limiting. Now, I hope to get a good ability next.
<
Rolling 2 Abilities to pick from….
Ability options are:
Breeze Armor
OR
Gentle Breeze
Uploading ability information…
Information on breeze armor uploaded:
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[
Ability: Breeze Armor
Level: 1 ( 0 / 26 XP to Level Up)
Level Up Requirements: Absorb damage from foes of equal or higher level
Type: Defending (Elemental)
Description:
Armor made from air forms around the user’s body. Has a duration of 15 min. Can be casted on the user and/or summonee.
Cost: None
Cooldown: 3 hours
Buff: +10% Movement Speed. +2 Defense when running.
]
Uploading information on the gentle breeze….
Information on the gentle breeze uploaded:
[
Ability: Gentle Breeze
Level: 1 ( 0 / 26 XP to Level Up)
Level Up Requirements: Casted on a target for a set duration.
Type: Support (Buff)
Description:
A gentle breeze forms around the user. The user and all allies within a 3 meter radius of the user gain buff. Buff doubles if the user or ally also primarily uses air element abilities. Buff lasts 5 min.
Cost: 3 MP per use
Cooldown: None
Buff: +5% Movement Speed. +1 Defense.
]
>
Either an ability that helps me and Tian or one that helps my allies. It’s a hard decision…
The teenager was aware that the group buff was better when they had the numbers. However, he was also aware that it wasn’t always possible to move in groups. As proven by the battle in Vliland, the situation was always unpredictable and he might not have a group to rely upon. If he focused on his own survival, then he had to be more selfish. He only had one life so one mistake was all that was needed for everything to end.
Could I really count on not being separated from my companions?
In the end, Ali picked the Breeze Armor to improve his own survivability. Once he was certain he could survive his future encounters, he could then think about how he could help the group. In a way, him staying alive benefitted his group as well. A group of four losing one member became much weaker as the void left behind couldn’t be filled during the heat of the battle, at least not easily. He had to be stronger to avoid being the burden to his squad. The fight with the clone clearly showcased the gap between him and so many others.
“Gather around! All the members are present! Board the airship so we can get out of this hellhole!”
On the one hand, Ali was glad to board the airship and flee from the area. He was already tired of all the death and destruction from Vliland. Conversely, he wouldn’t have minded spending more time in the mines. While he wasn’t sure what exactly was being dug up, there are some minerals that proved to be beneficial for Tian. The air serpent had been spending the last couple of days going deeper into the mines, absorbing the energy of a certain type of mineral. Whenever Ali checked the prompt, he could see Tian gaining XP from the energy. As he lined up to board the airship, he checked the prompt for his air serpent, still surprised by the large haul of XP gained by his companion at such a low cost.
<
[
Ability: Air Serpent
Level: 7 ( 98 / 146 XP to Level Up)
Level Up Requirements: Inflict damage or kill foes of equal or higher level using the air serpent.
Additional Level Up Method: Absorb minerals that buff wind elemental abilities
Type: Support (Summoning)
Description:
Summon an air serpent to do battle with the enemy. Creature’s level matches the ability level. Only one creature can be summoned at one time. The air serpent stays around until it is unsummoned or the summoner can no longer pay the cost.
{
Creature: Air Serpent
Level: 7
HP: 19/19
MP: 0/0
Strength: 6
Constitution: 5
Intelligence: 5
Survival: 10
Wisdom: 6
Attack Type: Blade (Melee)
Damage: 6
Defense Type: Arcane
Defense: 3
Special: Wings of Rain
}
Cost: 6 MP per use and 3 MP/min while the air serpent is summoned.
Cooldown: None
]
>