An excerpt from “Observations on the Empire of Sol Invictus”, by an anonymous 8th Wave author

The most secretive group among the powerful, the Empire of Sol Invictus is the 3rd Wave. What I mean by this is that all planets that were brought in during the 3rd Wave all miraculously joined to form the Empire. Their type of government is unknown. Their ruling body is unknown. Their religion, military formation, and scientific discoveries are all unknown. Anyone unfortunate enough to find themselves in their territory is never heard from again. The only point of contact that they have with the larger universe is through their impenetrable trading caravans, large trains of merchants that sell anything to anyone.

I quickly open my Status page. Those three levels have given me 21 Attribute points to invest, a huge amount that would have taken me ages to get without a class. Arcane Gunslinger may have given me more points per level but they were pre-allocated, determined by the needs of the class. Latent Talent offers me the flexibility to pick what I need to develop and evolve the way I think is best.

I immediately use 18 of the points to raise my Intelligence, Wisdom, and Willpower to 40, continuing along my Mana build while giving myself enough Willpower to try to tackle one of the Higher Energies. The other three points go into Perception. I was tempted to put them into Physique, giving myself more of a health buffer, but the fact that I didn’t take any hits in the last fight convinces me that it isn’t worth the investment. Similarly, Weapon Imbuement now means that I have another way of causing close quarters damage, a way that doesn’t rely on Strength and Dexterity. Recovery and Endurance are basically useless to me at my current stage as, apart from the training, I haven’t had any serious issues with Stamina. And finally, Charisma is useless on a planet with unintelligent beasts. With these points in mind, Perception becomes the only viable option.

Name: Cael King     Health (Regeneration): 175/175 (45/h)

Race: Human (Earth)   Mana (Regeneration): 196/700 (280/h)

Class: Latent Talent    Stamina (Regeneration): 95/120 (35/m)

Level: 28 Available WP: 34

Strength: 5     Intelligence: 40   Perception: 14

Dexterity: 4    Wisdom: 40     Recovery: 3

Endurance: 10    Willpower: 40    Charisma: 3

Physique: 15

I look up from the words in front of me and take in the scene of pure destruction. In front of me lies a 5 foot crater in the ground, small and sputtering flames scattered around it, between the center tree and the outer ring. Dirt from the crater is spread all around the clearing, small mounds having flown outwards together and now covering the grass, with the occasional rock sticking out. A few trees in the outer ring are lit aflame by the explosion, their purple branches and pines burning away in front of my eyes. The pines burn quickly, igniting into short bursts of flame, while the branches are slowly consumed. What had become my peaceful place of rest is now a battle zone, light orange and flickering flames strangely framed by the blood red sky. It is a stark reminder of the power of the Mana that I now wield. With limitless potential comes limitless potential for destruction.

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I replay the battle in my mind, improved recall allowing me to view it in surprising accuracy, and I realize that the only reason I was able to defeat the creature was due to its cautious nature. Given that it shrugged off my Chilling Wind, I would have probably died if it had rushed in like its less intelligent brethren. The Alpha’s increased intelligence and caution, probably the tool by which it was able to survive and thrive, was the cause of its downfall. I chuckle at the irony.

Conjuring up a few Chilling Winds, I send them out towards the trees, leaving a layer of frost on the bark but killing the fires before they can ravage the other trees. I also walk around the entire clearing, stamping out any fire before it can spread through the grass and onto another tree. A few require me to cover them in the loose dirt from the crater. My creation of the mental image of Fire Mana has given me a healthy respect and fear of fire in a forest. Helldarvin may not be my favorite place but I don’t want it burned to the ground.

I then climb up to my tree and sit in a Half Lotus pose, slipping into Effortless Presence and focusing in on my goals. I have another three days before we leave for the next zone and I want something that I can keep in my back pocket. One of the Higher Energies would work best as I imagine most opponents wouldn’t think that a person my level would have access to them. They also may be more versatile or even offer interesting combinations when combined with the basic elements.

Which one then … Darkness? No, that wouldn’t serve my purposes right now. It would be useful if I ever needed to perform clandestine acts but useless in a forest where I retreat at night. Sound? Again it wouldn’t really be of use to me in the forest. I could most likely mislead beasts but I need something with more potential. Something that will synergize with my current build. Wait… would that work… would they have to be within my field for the effect to take place? It would be an excellent way of keeping my opponents slower and allow me to get some distance…

With an idea in mind, I smile and begin to build a mental image.

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Armed and ready to leave, I watch as Faul exits out of the forest and approaches me. His armor is ripped up, scratches and tears all over, but he seems to bear no damage and his face is set into a strangely resolute position. His swords hangs over his shoulder, the distinctive bone handle rising up and making it appear as if his shoulder has another unskinned appendage. Coming to a stop a few feet away from me, he looks me up and down.

“Do you acknowledge me as a Mentor?” His voice breaks through the silence of the forest, a formal tone that suggests this is more than a casual question. The words hang in the air for a few seconds, slowly dissipating as the leaves and trees around us reassert their silent dominance. Unresponsive, I can only stare at him. Despite his intentions to kill me for his own gain, I cannot deny that his help is the only reason that I am alive. It pains me to admit it, still bitter by his admission just a week ago, but I’m forced to respond truthfully.

“Yes.”

You have acknowledged Faul’Dir [Lvl ???] as a Mentor. As such, he is granted Mentor’s Rights.

Moving his head in a slight gesture, he continues on. “Good. From now on, however, you shall have no more help from me. I’ve been coddling you to further my own dreams of becoming Primus and, if you truly deserve the position, you must take it with your own power. Understand this though. Should you become Primus, I will give you one month to grow and then I will challenge you. I hope that you will honor me as your Mentor and put up a good fight before you die.” Obviously having said all that he intended to, Faul turns around and begins walking away.

Anger rushes through me and I know that I can’t let him get the last word. In a calm voice I respond. “I won’t let you kill me.”

He turns back to me and his formerly stern faces lights up with his primal grin. For a second it seems as if the crazed man who shaped me into someone who could survive on a hellish planet has reappeared, replacing the uptight figure that had taken his place. “You can try boy”. Yelling, he disappears and I’m left on my own once again.