Tolgon's heart thundered in his chest as he stood before the rows of glimmering magic stones. This was the moment he had both dreaded and desperately longed for: his coming-of-age ceremony that would forever alter the course of his life.
He felt a bead of sweat trickle down his brow, though he couldn't tell if it was from the heat of the ceremonial chamber or the churning storm of emotions roiling inside him. One part of him was gripped with a sense of awe and reverence at bearing witness to such an ancient ritual. Another part quivered with unbridled excitement at the prospect of finally unlocking his full magical potential.
But underlying it all was a nagging curl of trepidation. What if he made the wrong choice? What if the stones he selected paled in comparison to his peers? Johnny Weavel had already had his ceremony and now he was out blasting fireballs at monsters and sinking into shadows. The weight of this single decision seemed to press down on Tolgon’s shoulders with the might of a dragon's talon.
He knew there were no redos. Once the ritual binding was complete, the magic would be seared into his very being, intertwined with his life force. He would be forever changed, for better or worse, by the next few pivotal moments.
Tolgon swallowed hard, his throat feeling as dry as the desert canyon. This was his destiny coming into focus. All those years of study and struggle had led to this crossroads.
Tolgon had an idea of the type of adventurer he wanted to be, and the types of powers he wanted too. But many of the powers were random once absorbed, so he had no idea if what he chose would work. He wanted to be a spellsword—a warrior on the battlefield and an academic in his leisure. He researched countless stones but settled on either the sword or blade stones for his first.
Tolgon stared down at the long table before him, rows of large gemstones glinting in the torchlight. He took a deep breath, trying to still his stammering heart.
On his left were the blade stones, rough and jagged chunks of obsidian that seemed to drink the light around them. A small placard beneath each one read “Blade” in severe, angular script.
Turning his gaze to the right, he studied the sword stones. Polished and multifaceted, they captured and reflected the flame in a brilliant golden display. Their placards proclaimed “Sword” in a flowing, elegant hand.
Tolgon’s fists clenched at his side. He sought out Toshi, the wizened sage watching from nearby with perpetually calm eyes.
“Master,” Tolgon started hoarsely, then cleared his throat. “I find myself adrift between the two paths. Your guidance would be invaluable.”
Toshi regarded him silently for a long moment before responding in his gravelly tone.
“The blades allow you to be an unstoppable force, laying waste to anything in your way. The swords make you a surgeon's blade, cutting only what is necessary. Both paths have merit, young Tolgon.” The blade stone appeared to offer unfathomable destructive power. Yet the sword stone holds the promise of precision, of striking only what is needed to be struck.
Tolgon nodded slowly, feeling no closer to his answer. Toshi’s next words gave him pause. “But perhaps the true question is - what kind of warrior does our kingdom need?”
Tolgon had never thought of that, only what kind of adventurer he wanted to become. But if he was going to become the greatest spellsword he could be, he had to be precise with his blade and destructive with his magic. He chose the sword stone as his first.
“I think I want to refine my sword skills, not destroy with them,” muttered Tolgon to the ever-patient Toshi.
“A great choice. Now do you need any help choosing your second stone?” asked Toshi.
“Yes, actually. I want to ask for some more advice,” Tolgon remarked sheepishly. “I want to become a spellsword and I don't want to be a basic elementalist. I want something that will set me apart from the rest.”
Toshi gave Tolgon an assessing look and proceeded to wander around the tables. He picked up a few stones as he did so. After several minutes of silence, he returned to Tolgon with an endearing smile. “These are a few of the picks I feel would befit a strapping young spellsword.”
Toshi laid the stones on a small ornate table located near the entrance of the chamber. There were seven stones. The three that immediately caught Tolgon’s attention were a diamond-cut gem that was crimson red, an onyx stone that was crude and rigid, and an iridescent stone that shimmered in an opalescent glow.
Toshi looked at Tolgon with a knowing smile, his eyes twinkling with ancient wisdom. “Ah, the blood stone, the death stone, and the soul stone,” he began, his voice low and resonant. “Each of these stones hold great power and potential, but they also come with their own unique challenges and risks.”
“The blood stone, with its crimson red hue, is a stone of raw power and strength,” Toshi explained, pointing to the fiery red stone. “It is said to enhance one’s physical abilities and grant unmatched prowess in battle, but it also carries a price. Those who wield the blood stone must be wary of its insatiable thirst for violence and bloodshed.”
“The death stone, with its dark and foreboding energy, is a stone of shadows and mystery,” Toshi continued, gesturing towards the rough onyx stone. “It is said to grant the ability to wield shadow magic and move unseen through the darkness, but it also carries a heavy burden. Those who embrace the death stone must be prepared to confront their inner demons and face the darkness within.”
Tolgon thought of Johnny Weavel and his shadow abilities. Was his second stone a death stone, he wondered?
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“And finally, the soul stone, with its shimmering iridescence, is a stone of transformation and adaptation,” Toshi concluded, indicating the opalescent stone. “It is said to grant the ability to adapt to any situation and overcome any challenge, but also holds the key to unlocking one’s true potential. Those who choose the soul stone must be prepared to embrace change and the unknown.”
Tolgon listened intently to Toshi’s words, feeling the weight of each stone’s power and potential as he considered his options. Each stone held great promise but also the risk of danger and uncertainty. In the end, Tolgon knew that he had to choose wisely and trust his own instincts to guide him on his path ahead. His gut told him that those weren’t for him.
He gazed upon the remaining four stones laid out before him, each emanating a distinct aura of magic and mystery. The first stone was a deep emerald green, shimmering with an ethereal light that seemed to dance and flicker like flames. The second stone was a vibrant sapphire blue, pulsing with tranquil energy that soothed the soul and calmed the mind. The third stone was a brilliant topaz yellow, radiating a warm and inviting glow that promised wisdom. And the fourth stone was a rich amethyst purple, exuding a sense of power and mystique that drew Tolgon like a moth to a flame.
“These stones are truly remarkable,” Toshi began, his voice filled with reverence. “The forest stone, with its deep emerald green hue, is said to hold the power of nature magic, allowing one to command the earth and the sky with ease. The sky stone, with its vibrant sapphire blue color, is said to harness the energy of the heavens, granting the ability to wield water magic and bring peace and healing. The sun stone, with its brilliant topaz yellow glow, is said to contain the essence of enlightenment and wisdom, guiding one on the path to divine knowledge. And the royal stone, with its rich amethyst purple hue, is said to bestow power and mystique upon those who dare wield its magic, granting access to the secrets of the mind and spirit.”
Tolgon listened intently to Toshi’s words, feeling the aura of each stone’s power and potential as he considered his options. Each stone held the promise of unlocking new abilities and enhancing his skills as a spellsword. But he knew that he must trust his instincts and choose the stone that resonated most with his heart and his true purpose on his journey of magic and destiny.
As Tolgon mulled over Toshi's advice, Jaron approached him, a curious glint in his eyes. "Hey, Tolgon, how's it going? Need any help deciding?" he asked, flashing a friendly grin.
Tolgon glanced up, grateful for Jaron's familiar face. "Actually, yeah. I'm torn between a few options. What do you think?"
Jaron studied the stones laid out before them, rubbing his chin thoughtfully. "Well, I've been eyeing that sky stone for myself. It's said to bring peace and healing, which could be pretty useful out there on the road, don't you think?"
Tolgon nodded, considering Jaron's perspective. "Yeah, that does sound promising. Thanks, Jaron.”
Tolgon didn’t like the sound of any of those options except he kept looking back at the four stones, each radiating its unique aura of magic and mystery. His eyes flickered the sunstone, sword stone, sky stone, and now, the blood stone. The blood stone exuded a dark crimson glow, pulsing with an eerie energy that seemed to call out to him. Tolgon hesitated, his mind swirling with indecision. The power of the blood stone was undeniable, offering abilities that tapped into primal forces and unleashed untold potential. But with the power came risk, and the dark allure of the blood stone whispered of dangers he could not yet comprehend.
After a moment of contemplation, Tolgon spoke softly, “The blood stone… it calls me, beckoning with promises of strength and mastery over my life force. But with that power comes great responsibility and sacrifice.”
He paused, his gaze fixed on the pulsing stone before him. The weight of his decision hung heavy in the air, the gravity of his choice palpable in the silence that enveloped him.
“I must tread carefully,” Tolgon continued, his voice tinged with resolve. “To wield the power of the blood stone is to embrace the darkness within, to walk a path fraught with peril and temptation. But I choose it, not out of the desire for power, but out of a need to protect and defend those who can’t.”
As Tolgon prepared to absorb the essence of the blood and sword stones, anticipation lingered. The decision had been made, and the path ahead was shrouded in uncertainty. But with unwavering resolve, he stood ready to claim the power of the blood and sword stones and embark on a journey that would test his strength, his will, and his very soul.
With his decision firm in his mind, Tolgon's senses heightened as he followed Toshi's lead, leaving the stone selection area behind. Together, they navigated the winding corridors of the ceremonial hall until they arrived at the grand chamber where the ritual awaited.
Upon entering the room, Tolgon's attention was immediately drawn to the large ritual circle etched into the center of the chamber floor. Its intricate runes seemed to shimmer faintly in the soft candlelight, imbued with the ancient magic of countless ceremonies past. At opposite ends of the circle stood two pedestals, their surfaces gleaming in anticipation, ready to receive the stones that would soon be placed upon them.
Toshi motioned toward the circle, his tone reverent. "Behold, Tolgon. The heart of the ceremony."
Approaching the circle with measured steps, Tolgon felt a surge of anticipation coursing through him. He regarded the pedestals with a mixture of excitement and apprehension. Soon, the stones he had carefully chosen would rest upon them, marking the beginning of the ritual that would shape his destiny.
Toshi, the overseer and guardian of the stones, stepped forward, his presence a calming influence in the charged atmosphere. “Tolgon, the time has come. You have chosen the path of the blood and sword stones, and now you must embrace the power.”
With a steady hand, Toshi began the ritual, channeling the magic of the stones and guiding Tolgon through the absorption process. The room filled with an ethereal glow as the energy of the stones flowed into Tolgon, merging with his being and becoming one.
As the ritual reached its climax, Tolgon felt a surge of power unlike anything he had ever experienced. It was as if he was being reborn. Every cell in his body rushed with energy. He could feel the power become him.
“Congratulations, young Tolgon,” Toshi’s voice rang out, filled with pride. “You have embraced the power of the blood and sword stones. May you wield their magic with wisdom and strength, and may your journey be filled with courage and honor.”
Tolgon stood there, his body tingling with newfound energy and power. The weight of his decision still lingered, but now it felt like a mantle of responsibility, a duty to protect and defend those in need. With a newfound resolve, he looked ahead to the adventures that awaited him, ready to face whatever challenges came his way.
As he stepped out of the ceremonial chamber, the echoes of the ancient ritual fading behind him, Tolgon felt a sense of purpose and resolve settling in his heart. The path he had chosen was fraught with danger and uncertainty, but he knew that with the power of the blood and sword stones by his side, he was ready to face whatever trials lay ahead. And so, with a firm step and steady gaze, Tolgon set forth on his journey as a spellsword, his destiny intertwined with the magic that now coursed through his veins. The road ahead was long and treacherous, but he faced it with courage and resolve, ready to carve his legend into the annals of history.