Day 11 of Midwinter, Sunrise
Hy-Brasil
Annwn
The woman reached into her cloak and pulled out some very plain-looking léine and trews. When I was dressed, she took my hand and led me to the top of a small hill. She looked inland, appearing to be waiting for something. I stood with her, my eyes trying to peer through the mist.
As we waited, I was reminded of the sheer size of this place. Was it a part of Annwn or some separate realm? Things here were clearly on a grander scale. Even the woman was larger than me. Though her grip was gentle and warm, her hand completely enveloped mine. She pointed ahead. “This is my favorite part of the morning. I’m glad you are here to share it with me.”
As I looked, The Dagda’s voice rang through my mind. I was surprised to hear the full description of my Power Rank level-up, even without my rings.
Name: Bren Búachaill
Race: Síorláidir
Current Power Rank - Level 10
Current Progression Status:
Physical Progression +36
Mental Progression +31
Spiritual Progression +36
Domain Gained:
Chaos
You have been gifted with the following boons:
Control Energy
Erratic Agility
Dark Vision
Pain Sponge
You have one blood-borne curse:
Mark of the Bodach (Permanent)
Innate Racial Abilities:
Rapid Regeneration
Advanced Identification
Magic Sense
You must choose one domain classification:
Rune Smith- Create magical runes and enchantments using energy magic.
Energetic Engineer- Focuses on building and controlling energy-based constructs.
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Battlesmith- A warrior who channels energy magic into their combat abilities and weapons.
Mancer Savant- Masters the pure essence of energy manipulation.
Leyokinetic- Specializes in harnessing and manipulating the energy of ley lines.
I was shocked. Not only had my physical, mental, and spiritual capabilities shot up past Tadg’s, but my physical numbers were higher than Brigid’s. I let that run through my mind. My physical strength and speed were higher than a god's!
Speaking of gods… My race was no longer “unknown.” It was now something called a Síorláidir. I wonder if that was a fancy way to say “god?” Was I really a god? That was another mind screw. I had known that others were comparing me to the Tuatha, for days now. Still, it hadn’t prepared me for this last Power Rank notification. I was apparently now the God of Chaos. What did that mean about Cai? That was something to unpack later.
Now, it appeared that I had to interact with this level-up. I had to select a domain classification. Was that like a class in D&D? I tried not to think too hard about it, even as my mind tried feverishly to remember all the conversations I'd had.
What had The Dagda said? There was a class that could make magical runes. There was one that could create constructs. One appeared to further my use of Control Energy for combat situations. There was one that I guessed would allow me to transform one form of energy into another. And finally, there was one that allowed me to grow my power from the environment.
I blinked and stared off into the horizon with the tall woman next to me. I could see a building farther off over the rolling green countryside. The mist formed a tunnel now, as it slowly evaporated from around us. The grandeur of the building grew as the mist disappeared.
“I’m supposed to pick a class,” I said, breaking the silence.
“A class?” She peered down at me with a confused look on her face.
“A domain classification.”
She nodded and sat down on a rock nearby. “Do any stand out to you?”
“I just got my butt kicked, pretty bad.” I paused, remembering the bloodied pulp I had become in Gorias. Physical prowess was not something I had ever prided myself on. “So, I’m not sure I should choose the most obvious combat-focused option. ”
“And that is?”
“Battlesmith.”
“I see.” She thought for a moment. “Maybe this ‘specialization’ is to help boost areas that you need work in.”
“You could be right. My boons have always come to me when I needed them the most.”
“Isn’t there a term on earth for that?” she asked.
“Deus ex machina?” I offered. It was the first thing that came to mind.
She scrunched up her face. “I’m not sure what that means. I was thinking of luck or fate. For you, a more apt term is chance.”
“It doesn’t feel right to choose a combat-focused specialization. It’s not just that I’m not good at fighting. I don’t like hurting people.”
The woman gave a big smile at that. “Your heart has always been as big as the sky and as soft as aran.”
“You're so familiar to me,” I said. I was nervous to ask her my real question.
“What does that big heart of yours tell you?”
“That you are my mother,” I said before I could chicken out.
She nodded at me and leaned forward. Then she slowly reached for me, pressing a soft kiss just beneath my hairline. “I knew you would leave me someday, but that cold moon came much too fast for my liking. I wasn’t prepared to say goodbye to you and your brother.”
“I have so many questions for you.” My mind raced, having received confirmation. I wanted to ask her about my lost memory and my parentage. I wanted to ask her about what a Síorláidir was. I wanted to ask her about Cai.
She continued to watch me as I wrestled with my next question. “Easy, my love. There isn’t time to give you the closure that you need. Your time here in Hy-Brasil is but a brief respite before you will be pulled back to the Pool.”
I reached out to grip her massive hands tightly in my own smaller ones. “I don’t want to go.”
She looked away, hiding her tears. “That is what you said to me the night of your genesis.”
“I wish I could remember,” I said as she pulled her hands away from me to wipe her eyes.
“Come with me.” She stood and began to walk back down the hill toward the mossy mounds. “You should choose your classification before you return to the mainland. Any domains earned or chosen here will be infinitely more powerful than one chosen there.”
“I have no idea what to choose. I know nothing about runes or making things. I preferred Play-Doh to Legos back on Earth.”
She gave me a funny look and a half smile. “What else is there?”
“Mancer Savant might be a good choice, but Leyokinetic seems very situational. Becoming a Savant allows me to specialize in changing one form of energy into another.”
“That would be a good choice.” She let her words hang in the air.
“But?”
“Are you sure you are thinking about these classifications correctly?"
“What do you mean?” I asked, trying to recall each description.
“I don’t think you have fully grasped the breadth of Battlesmith,” she said, stopping in front of a mound with two openings.
I thought about The Dagda’s words. “A warrior who channels energy magic into their combat abilities and weapons.”
She knelt down beside me and peered directly into my eyes. “Don’t pick the one you think is the right choice. Pick the one that fits with your actions and your heart.”
I thought back to my time on Annwn. I remembered the battle at the Pool against the Fomorians. That was the first time I had seen the blue light of my Energy Surge. I had used them on Swish. Fí had been amazed that I was able to wield her sword.
Then I remembered my time squeezing the life from the Bánánach in the bowels of The Stern Beauty. That was the day my boon had evolved into Control Energy. Each time, my boon was used as a weapon to defend myself or one of my friends.
I nodded to myself and focused on the lingering unanswered question in my mind. I mentally selected Battlesmith.
My mother smiled at me, seeing my countenance relax a bit with my choice. Then, she started to sing.