🎵: Dash of the Daring, Rise of the Iron Will

The morning sun cast long shadows across the eastern gate as our formed party prepared for departure. While my companions checked their weapons one final time, Kira took me aside, her expertise evident as she helped me configure my interface display.

"Let me show you how to set up your party interface," Kira said, stepping closer. "Since you're part of the group now, you'll want to keep track of everyone."

She guided me through the process. "See those translucent bars appearing in your vision? Those show our health and mana levels. You'll want to monitor those during combat."

Following her lead, I added my own stats to the display as well. It seemed smart to have all that information visible at all times, especially in the heat of battle.

"Alright, guys," I announced, trying to sound sure of myself. "I'm about to do something that might surprise you. Just... try not to freak out, okay? Remember to stay close to me, and the effect will only last a couple of minutes."

They exchanged puzzled glances, but nodded. I closed my eyes, focusing on the melody I'd composed back on my first day in this new world.

You sing Dash of the Daring!

Through forest deep and mountain tall,

We answer adventure's siren call,

With nimble feet and spirits light,

We outpace danger in the night.

As the first chords rang out, I felt the familiar surge of energy. The music seemed to come alive, swirling around us like an invisible breeze. I opened my eyes to see my companions' shocked expressions.

"What in the world..." Kira muttered, her eyes wide.

Liam looked down at his feet, then back at me. "I feel... lighter?"

Caius' eyes sparkled with curiosity. "Fascinating. Some kind of speed enhancement?"

I grinned, still playing. "Yep. We can cover ground a lot faster now. Shall we?"

Without waiting for a response, I started jogging. To my relief, the others fell in line behind me. We picked up the pace. The landscape blurred around us as we sped towards the farmlands. The rush of wind and the pounding of our feet created a rhythm that matched the beat of my song, and I couldn't help but smile.

After the first break, I needed to let my mana regenerate. I allowed my tune to taper off. Our group halted. I noticed my companions' jaws had dropped, and their eyes were as big as saucers. I advised them as we walked we would be on the go again in just a couple of minutes.

"That was... incredible," Liam said, shaking his head in disbelief. "I've seen nothing like it."

Kira nodded, a newfound respect in her eyes. "I take back any doubts I had about bringing you along, Brendan. That ability could be invaluable."

We arrived at the initial farmstead after two more mana breaks.

I felt a warmth in my chest at their praise. It was the first time since arriving in Lyserion that I felt truly useful, truly part of something. The thrill of being recognized for my skills was something I hadn't felt in a long time, and it filled me with renewed determination.

Liam brought us back to the task at hand, his voice calm, but with a hint of urgency. "Alright, let's see if we can pick up the kobolds' trail. Brendan, remember what I taught you about tracking?"

I nodded, scanning the surrounding ground. To my surprise, I noticed some faint indentations in the soil that looked like small, clawed footprints.

"Over here," I called out, pointing to the tracks. "These look fresh."

Liam came over to inspect them, nodding. "Good eye, Brendan. These are definitely kobold tracks, and recent too. Let's follow them."

As we tracked the kobolds, a sudden wave of awareness washed over me. The forest seemed to come alive in a new way—subtle indentations in the grass, broken twigs, and displaced leaves pulsed with a faint, ethereal glow. It felt as if ancient knowledge was flowing into my mind, teaching me the language of the wild. The sensation built until my vision shimmered, and a notification materialized:

Skill Acquired: Tracking (Common 1)

Tracking (Common 1)

Effect:

* Reveals footprints and basic direction of movement.

* Identifies fresh tracks within 10 yards.

Limitations: Cannot track creatures that are flying or phased out of reality. Best used with creatures that touch the ground. Cannot track creatures when running.

Requirements for Common 2: Track 3 different creatures to reach Level 2.

Synergies: Combines well with Cartography and Identify, giving the user additional information about creatures' abilities and weaknesses and displaying them on your map.

Description: Allows the user to locate nearby creatures, identify their movement patterns, and predict their behaviour. Tracks become clearer with higher skill levels and can even reveal the mood of the creature. (Are they angry? Hungry? Just out for a walk?). Got a nose for adventure but not the footprints to follow? No worries! With this skill, you'll be tracking your enemies faster than you can say, "Are those bear prints or my teammate's boots?"

I grinned, realizing I'd just gained another skill. The world of Lyserion continued to surprise me with its game-like elements. Each new ability I gained felt like a step closer to mastering my new life here, and it gave me a sense of purpose that had been missing for far too long.

This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

We alternated between using my Dash of the Daring song and tracking on foot. When the song was active, Liam and I would keep a sharp eye out for any signs of the kobolds' passage. When we needed to survey the trail, we'd let the song fade and move at a normal pace. The constant switching between fast and cautious movement was exhilarating, and I could see the value in our combined skills.

The trail led us through fields and into a small patch of woods. The forest grew denser as we moved, the thick canopy filtering through the sunlight and casting the ground in a dappled pattern. As we got closer to what we assumed was the kobolds' hideout, we became more cautious. I let the speed-enhancing song fade away, and we crept forward.

"Remember," Liam whispered, "kobolds are clever. Watch for traps."

We crept through the underbrush, alert for any signs of danger. The forest was hushed, with only the occasional rustle of leaves breaking the silence. I could feel the tension building in my muscles, and I forced myself to stay calm and focused.

Liam raised a hand, halting us. He pointed to a thin wire stretched between two trees, barely visible in the dim light.

"Tripwire," he mouthed.

We carefully stepped over it, moving deeper into the woods. The signs of kobold activity were becoming more frequent—broken branches, discarded scraps of food, and the occasional glint of something metallic hidden in the undergrowth. I could feel the anticipation in the air, a mix of fear and excitement.

As we pushed through a dense thicket, we found ourselves on the edge of a small clearing. And there, in the centre, was a small group of kobolds around a fire. We ducked back into the cover of the trees, our hearts racing.

Name: Kobold

Classification: Humanoid

Species: Kobold

Level: 1-3 (normally)

Weight (KG): 15-25

Liam gathered us close, his voice low and urgent. "Listen up, team. We need to outsmart these kobolds. They may not be powerhouses, but they're crafty little devils."

He turned to Caius first. "I need you to cast a silence spell around us. We can't risk them calling for backup."

Then Liam's attention shifted to me. "Brendan, remember that song you told us about? Rise of the Iron Will?"

I nodded.

"Great," Liam continued. "Start with that speed song until we're in striking distance." He paused, studying me for a moment. "Also, since you're a few levels behind us, we'll hang back and let you take on some of these kobolds. You need the experience more than we do. Caius will keep protective spells on you, and we'll be right here if things get dicey. Think of it as combat training with a safety net."

His gaze swept over Kira and himself. "Kira and I will take point. Once we're in the thick of it, Brendan, you can switch to Rise of the Iron Will."

As Liam laid out the plan, I could see the determination in my companions' eyes. They were counting on my new musical abilities to give us an edge in the upcoming fight. I took a deep breath, preparing myself for the challenge ahead. This would be my first real test as a combat bard in this new world, and I was both nervous and eager to see how Rise of the Iron Will would perform in a group battle.

As Caius moved to cast his spell, I began to hum the familiar magic flowing through me. The melody wrapped around us, and I saw the tension ease from my companions' faces, as they knew they could now run like the wind. Kira gave me a small smile, her grip on her sword tightening in readiness.

You sing Dash of the Daring!

We flowed into the clearing like shadows, each step measured and precise. The kobolds' bickering over their stolen treasures masked our approach, their scaled forms illuminated by dying firelight. Caius' spell descended like a velvet curtain, muffling the world until only heartbeats and rustling leaves remained.

You stop singing Dash of the Daring!

You sing Rise of the Iron Will!

Through valleys of struggle, through mountains of doubt,

Each step is a testament, there’s no turning out.

I’m the captain of fate, on the waves of my soul,

With every challenge met, I’m inching towards whole.

The song's power surged through our formation like molten steel seeking molds. Kira's muscles coiled with newfound strength, her blade humming with anticipation. Liam's stance transformed, bow drawn with the tension of a storm about to break. Even the air seemed to thicken with promised violence.

The first moments of battle exploded like thunder. Kira's enhanced strength turned her sword into a force of nature—steel parting crude armour and scale with terrible efficiency. The kobold's last expression was pure disbelief as it crumpled. Simultaneously, Liam's arrows became deadly spears, the first shaft punching through shield and flesh with devastating force, the second finding its mark before the first victim hit ground.

Fear rippled through the kobold ranks like wind through grass. Their beady eyes reflected firelight and terror as they witnessed their fellows fall to powerful strikes. But battle waited for no one.

Kira became a whirlwind of enhanced might, hefting a struggling kobold skyward before launching it into its companions like a living projectile. Liam, our long-range specialist, remained unyielding as a spear-wielding kobold attacked. His enhanced strength pulverized the crude weapon with his bow.

Behind us, Caius conducted his own symphony of spells, each burst of energy precise and purposeful. Though untouched by the song's direct enhancement, our display of power seemed to fuel his confidence, his magic flowing faster and brighter.

A snarling kobold broke ranks, charging me with desperate courage. Time seemed to slow as we met, its determination meeting my enhanced might. The creature's spear thrust found only air as my sword, guided by supernatural strength, batted it aside with casual ease. Its eyes widened—the last clear thought before my counter-strike sent it reeling.

Each clash of weapons became a study in overwhelming force. Where once I might have struggled against crude armour, now my blade cut through scale and leather with terrible purpose. The kobold's movements, bold at first, degraded into desperate defence as it realized the gulf between our strength.

When it tried to retreat, the song's power drove me forward. One final strike, enhanced by Rise of the Iron Will's blessing, ended its life.

You killed a level 2 Kobold!

I stood over my fallen foe, gasping, marvelling at the strength flowing through my limbs.

We fought as a unit, each of us playing our part. But with Rise of the Iron Will enhancing my strength and attacks, I felt like a juggernaut on the battlefield. The kobolds, surprised by our strength and unable to call for help, faltered. One by one, they fell under our enhanced assault until the clearing was silent once more.

As the last echoes of battle faded, I could still feel the power of the song thrumming through me. Instead of finesse and agility, I felt a raw, overwhelming force coursing through me. I looked at my companions, seeing a mix of awe and relief in their eyes. Rise of the Iron Will had turned the tide of battle, proving its worth in combat.

Battle Summary

Kobold Killed: 6

EXP Gained (You): 81

Loot: crude spears x4, handmade sling x2, merchant's ledger, tarnished silver locket, small pouch of river stones, crude dagger, kobold rations x4, lucky charm, Dragon Scale

We stood in the middle of the clearing, surrounded by the unconscious and defeated kobolds. My companions turned to me, their faces flushed with victory and a hint of awe.

"By the gods, Brendan," Liam exclaimed, his eyes wide with excitement. "That song of yours... Rise of the Iron Will, was it? I've felt nothing like it. It was as if every arrow I loosed carried the force of a battering ram!"

With practiced efficiency, Caius collected each piece of worthwhile loot. Despite the meager haul, he gathered the trinkets, including an intriguing dragon scale. I watched with growing fascination as each item seemed to vanish the moment it touched his hands, likely into some form of magical storage.

Name: Lucky Charm

Weight (kg): 0.1

Name: Iridescent Dragon Scale

Weight (kg): 0.5

Kira flexed her sword arm, a look of wonder on her face. "I've trained for years to build my strength, but your song made me feel like I could lift a boulder with one hand. It was... exhilarating."

"You did more than well, Brendan," Liam said, clapping me on the shoulder. "That song of yours turned the tide of battle. I'd wager we took down these kobolds in half the time it would've normally taken."

Caius paused in his looting to add, "And with far less risk to ourselves. Your music didn't just strengthen us; it made us more confident, more coordinated. I've never seen our group fight so cohesively."

I smiled, their praise and amazement warming me. This was what I'd been missing—a sense of purpose, of being part of something greater. The realization that my music could have such a profound impact on our combat effectiveness filled me with a mixture of pride and excitement.

As we gathered up the stolen goods and prepared to head back to tracking the primary force, I knew that this was only the beginning. There would be more challenges, more dangers, but I was ready for them. I had a team, and with Rise of the Iron Will in my repertoire, together we could face whatever Lyserion threw our way.