Shael has begun playing Shaten’s Call to War.
Under the inspiring notes of the bard’s song, Ghost and I roved across the overlord’s pockmarked surface, killing serpents and tentacles alike with abandon.
In doing so, we ensured Anriq and Zekiel—who were guarding the party’s perimeter from inside Lucius‘ web—were not swamped. Safyre and the other nine nagians, meanwhile, had turned their attention downwards—to the overlord’s shell.
Working together, the ten forerunners punched a hole through the Power’s thick hide faster than I’d anticipated, and in short order, I had damage messages scrolling through my mind.
“Excellent work, Saf,” I said, as I bobbed beneath a slashing tentacle and punctured a hole through a nearby serpent.
“Thanks,” she replied tiredly. “It won’t be long now.”
“Just make sure you get in the last hit,” I warned.
“I will,” she answered, “although I am still not convinced of the wisdom of that.”
The whole point of this entire exercise was making Safyre a Powerful Initiate.
Admittedly, I’d been tempted to kill the overlord myself, and perhaps even to attempt another solo run. It would’ve quite possibly earned me another feat and would have almost certainly caused my Power Mark to evolve.
But as important as it was for me to get stronger, it was equally important for the Forerunners to add another Power to our ranks. If nothing else, it would secure our budding House’s future. Then, too, with two Powers to lead the faction, so much more became possible.
And when it came right down to it, there was no one I trusted more than Safyre with custodianship of the Forerunners.
“It’s necessary,” I replied gently, understanding the source of her self-doubts. As a Forcesworn, Safyre could not acquire any blood memories. Worse still, as a forsworn, she had been stripped of her Force abilities and couldn’t use soulbound items.
All of which were undoubtedly debilitating restrictions.
Yet Adriel believed some—if not all—of Safyre’s constraints would fall away if she transitioned into a Power. It was only guesswork on the lich’s part, but Adriel didn’t consider Safyre’s status as a forsworn compatible with the Powerful Initiate Mark.
After all, Safyre had only become a forsworn after betraying the Power she followed. And Safyre’s status as a former Sworn would no longer be relevant once she became a Power. Still, there was no certainty the Adjudicator would see it that way, which was why Adriel predicted one of two things would happen.
Either Safyre gained a Power Mark and lost her forsworn status.
Or the Game would prevent her from becoming a Powerful Initiate.
There was only one way to know for certain which way the chips would fall, though—and that was for Safyre to evolve.
“But the risk—” Safyre began.
“What risk?” I interrupted as I charmed one pack of serpents and paralyzed another. “There’s none.”
“You’re oversimplifying matters,” she accused. “If I slay the overlord and fail to acquire the Mark, then the kill will be wasted. And not just any kill, a Power kill, Michael. Can we afford that?”
“Don’t worry,” I replied airily—more to assuage her doubts than because I believed the loss negligible—"there are plenty more stygian Powers to go around.”
Safyre sighed, and not in concession of the point. This was an old argument, one we had hashed out a few times already, and we always came back to the same point—the potential rewards were worth the risk.
A level 309 stygian overlord is near death.
Even mid-fight, I paused on receipt of the Game message. “Saf….”
“I’ve got it too. The others have backed off.” She sighed again. “Alright, here goes.”
Safyre has cast aether bolt.
Safyre has cast aether bolt.
…
…
Safyre has killed a level 309 stygian overlord!
✵ ✵ ✵
You have teleported into Anriq’s shadow.
The overlord fell, but the rest of us did not.
Held aloft by Zekiel’s levitating disc, we watched the few remaining flying serpents flee north—and back to the stygian nest, presumably.
“That’s the most one-sided battle I’ve ever been in,” Lucius said as he and the other nagians walked up to join me.
Bacheus shook his head. “And against a Power too.”
Only half-listening, I nodded absently. I’d not even taken the time to check my own battle messages from the Game. Instead, I kept my gaze trained on Safyre, keenly searching for some clue as to the outcome of our gambit.
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“Did it work?” Anriq asked, realizing what the source of my preoccupation was.
“I’m not sure,” I replied, biting my lip. Safyre’s eyes were still closed, and her attention was turned inward.
“I’m sure it did,” Shael said, in what was an obvious attempt to be reassuring.
Leaving the others behind, I strode closer to the aetherist.
“We’ll make sure the area remains secure,” Zekiel called after me.
“Do that,” I replied, not bothering to mention that Ghost had already assigned herself the selfsame task. “Saf?” I murmured as I drew to a stop before her.
“Check your alerts,” she whispered back, not opening her eyes.
Right on cue, a new message buzzed for attention.
The player, Safyre, wishes to temporarily share her Game messages with you. Do you accept?
Despite my surprise at the unexpected request, I wasted no time in replying in the affirmative.
Your fellow Forerunner, Safyre, has slain her first tier 7 creature and accomplished the feat: A Mighty Player! Requirements: be unsworn to any Power, possess an evolved Class, and reach player level 250. Or be unsworn to any Power, possess an evolved Class, and slay a foe above level 300. Her spirit signature has been etched with a new Mark!
Safyre has acquired the Mark: Powerful Initiate and has begun to tread the ways of Power herself. The path to greatness is paved by death, and no player can rise to prominence in the Game without pitting herself against its strongest contenders. She has done so and emerged victorious.
Safyre is no longer forsworn! For achieving a Power Mark, her former misdeeds have been forgiven and she has regained 1 greater and 2 lesser Force abilities. Note, however, any further transgressions will result in more severe punishment.
I drew in a sharp breath. “It worked, it’s actually worked!” I could hardly believe it, Safyre was a Power now!
“You sound surprised,” Safyre said, a radiant smile on her face.
“Say elated rather,” I quipped. We had little time to savor the moment further though.
More Game alerts were vying for Safyre’s attention.
As a result of Safyre’s new Power Mark, she has gained the trait: Higher Evolution. This is a trait granted to all would-be Powers and allows her to evolve beyond the limits imposed on ordinary players.
Safyre is ready to experience her first higher evolution. As the bearer of both a Supreme Light Mark and a Powerful Initiate one, she may acquire an epic Class.
Higher evolution commencing…
…
…
Analysis of Safyre’s player Marks completed. Viable ascendant paths determined. Three new paths lie before her.
The first path is that of a Maverick Light and will grant her the ascendant trait, champion. As a champion, the power of all her Force abilities will be doubled. She will also gain 30 attribute points and may choose 1 additional benefit unique to her chosen Class.
The second path is that of a Light Crusader and will grant her the ascendant trait, commander. As a commander, she can share weaker variants of her Force abilities with those who follow her. She will also gain 20 attribute points and may choose 1 additional benefit unique to her chosen Class.
The third path is that of a Bastion of Light and will grant her the ascendant trait, governor. As a governor, she gains access to a unique branch of Force abilities that focuses on sector-wide buffs and spells. She will also gain 20 attribute points and may choose 1 additional benefit unique to her chosen Class.
“Which should I choose?” Safyre asked softly, her gaze still turned inward.
“The choice is yours as always,” I replied cautiously and though I was tempted to add a ‘but,’ I left it at that.
This decision was for Safyre alone to make.
Safyre’s lips bent upward in another smile. “Now why did I know you were going to say that?” Before I could respond, she went on, “but I know what to choose. There is only one option that serves the faction best.”
A moment later, another series of Game messages unfurled before me.
Safyre’s higher evolution has been completed. She is now a bastion of light.
Safyre has gained the base trait: governor. As a governor, she gains access to a powerful branch of Light spells that only Lightsworn governors may acquire, the first of which may be chosen now.
Safyre has gained the epic Class, Bastion of Light.
Those who fight for the Light are legion. This has always been Light’s strength. Where Darksworn often fight alone or in small groups, Light’s soldiers invariably rally together when threatened. As a Bastion of Light, Safyre gains access to an array of abilities that allow her to summon her allies—wherever they may be in the Kingdom or Nethersphere—to aid in the defense of the faction’s territories.
Safyre has accomplished the feat: Ascending to New Heights! Requirement: acquire her first ascendant Class. She has been awarded 2 additional lives!
Safyre has accomplished the feat: Eager for Power! Requirement: adopt an ascendant Class before reaching level 250. Not many in the Game dare to assume a Mark of Power early. As a reward for Safyre’s brave choice, she has been awarded the trait: Driven Force. This trait grants her 1 additional attribute point every two player levels.
Safyre is now a rank 1 Bastion of Light and may choose 1 new ascendant trait and 1 new governor ability.
New trait: aware bastion. This trait places a permanent sector-wide ward over one of your faction’s owned sectors. You will be immediately alerted to any portal openings in the sector.
New trait: bastion of healing. This trait bestows one of your owned sectors with a permanent sector-wide buff that increases the health regeneration of all faction members in the sector by +0.25% per second.
New trait: blighted bastion. This trait curses one of your owned sectors with a permanent sector-wide debuff that drains the stamina of all hostiles in the sector by 0.1% per second.
New governor ability: call to arms. This ability allows you to recall a maximum of 10 allies from anywhere in the Forever Kingdom to defend your sector.
New governor ability: archon summoning. This ability lets your envoy manifest 6 lesser aspects of yourself to defend your territories.
New governor ability: eternal light. This ability enables you to summon 30 light wisp lords to defend your sector.
“Wow,” I gasped.
I’d been somewhat dismissive of the governor path during my own higher evolutions, but seeing the choices the Adjudicator had provided Safyre with, I realized a governor was every bit as powerful as a commander or champion, and gave new meaning to the term ‘home advantage.’
And this time around, I had no compunction about advising Safyre. “You definitely want call to arms,” I said.
She nodded. “I agree.”
I rubbed my chin. “As to the traits… I can see benefits to all of them.”
She sighed. “Yes, but the sticking point is that we have to claim a sector first.”
I couldn’t disagree. “Given that we intend on installing a shield generator here, I’d say it’s a toss up between bastion of healing or blighted bastion.” I paused. “Personally, if I had a choice between buffing our allies or debuffing the enemy, I’d go with the buff—who knows what protections our foes will have to negate the debuff.”
Safyre pursed her lips. “That’s true. In that case, I’ll go with bastion of healing and call to arms.”
Saying nothing, I waited, and as expected another Game message appeared.
Safyre’s ascendant Class upgrade has been completed.
The aetherist opened her eyes. They brimmed with unshed tears. “That’s it,” she said.
I returned her smile. There was only one thing for me to do. Turning my focus inward for a moment, I willed my intent to the Adjudicator.
As the original founder and leader of the Forerunners faction, you have designated Safyre as its co-leader. She has now the same breadth of faction powers as you, is able to appoint officers on her own, and also recruit others into the faction.
My smile widened. “Now we are truly on our way to becoming a House to be reckoned with.”