Extract from the -{ Tome of Light }- the divine scripture of the Church of Light.
"In the reflection of my glory, you shall find the true measure of your worth, for I am the mirror upon which all souls gaze. I am the Alpha and the Omega, I am the architect of destiny. Surrender your will to my divine design, and bask in the glory of predetermined perfection." (The Inevitability of Light - 1:3)
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The world of grey fog enveloped Asher once more, a familiar embrace that he had grown accustomed to over the past weeks. The misty tendrils swirled around him, guiding his steps towards the now-familiar hall. As he approached, the grand staircase loomed before him, each step a testament to the journey he had undertaken.
Memories flickered at the edges of his consciousness, fragments of his first encounter with the hall seemed increasingly distant. Asher pushed them aside, his focus sharp and unwavering. He ascended the stairs with purpose, his footsteps echoing in the ethereal silence.
The throne atop the platform stood as a silent sentinel, but Asher's gaze was fixed beyond it. Behind the seat of power lay his true destination: a structure that held the key to his growth and survival.
The bowl, supported by three thick iron legs, gleamed in the otherworldly light. Within its confines, crystal-clear water shimmered, still and unassuming at first glance. But Asher knew better. This was no ordinary water; it was one of the essences of this 'Memory Palace', a tool more valuable than any weapon.
As Asher approached, the water's surface began to shift, responding to his presence. The clarity gave way to a swirling, milky cloud, reminiscent of the fog that permeated this realm. Images began to form on the surface, fleeting glimpses of experiences past.
Closing his eyes, Asher focused his mind on a specific memory: his brutal encounter with the Earthhide bear. When he opened them again, the scene played out on the water's surface with vivid clarity. Taking a deep breath, Asher reached out, his fingers barely grazing the water. A ripple spread from the point of contact, and the world around him dissolved.
In an instant, Asher found himself thrust back into the heat of battle. The cave materialized around him, the scent of blood and earth filling his nostrils. The ground trembled beneath his feet as the massive Earthhide bear charged towards him, its roar rattling his bones.
He didn’t use his skill of foresight knowing that it was but a battle for him to hone himself.
Every sensation was painfully real – the sting of sweat in his eyes, the burning in his muscles as he dodged the bear's massive paws, the metallic taste of fear in his mouth. Asher's heart pounded in his chest as he relived the desperate struggle, his body moving on instinct, fueled by the primal need to survive.
The bear's claws raked across his back, and Asher felt the searing pain as if it were happening for the first time. He gritted his teeth, pushing through the agony, knowing that this was the crucible in which he would forge his strength.
As suddenly as it began, the vision ended once he was caught by one of the bear's attacks and was torn apart.
Asher found himself back in the cave, gasping for air, his body drenched in sweat. The fire crackled nearby, its warm glow a stark contrast to the cold fear that had gripped him moments ago.
"Hahh... Hahh..." His ragged breaths echoed in the cave as he struggled to regain his composure.
Beside him, Inky and Little Jormu slumbered peacefully, unaware of the mental ordeal he had just endured. Their presence brought a measure of comfort to Asher, grounding him in the present.
As his breathing steadied, Asher noticed the pending system prompts. He focused his mind, calling them forth:
[ Physical limits surpassed Endurance +1 ]
[ Physical limits surpassed Shock resistance increased. Mind +1 ]
A grim smile played on Asher's lips. The gains were smaller now, each point of improvement harder won than the last. But every advantage, no matter how small, could mean the difference between life and death.
Asher leaned back against the cool cave wall, his mind racing. It had been a month since he discovered the true potential of the Memory Palace. What he had initially thought would be a simple review of past experiences had turned into something far more intense and transformative.
Each session in the Memory Palace was a battle in itself. The experiences were so vivid, so real, that Asher often found himself questioning what was memory and what was reality. He felt every blow, every scrape, every moment of terror as if he were living it anew.
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The mental toll was immense. Asher often emerged from these sessions drained, his mind reeling from the intensity of the experiences. But the physical recovery was remarkably swift. Within an hour, the grueling deathmatches felt like distant nightmares, his body refreshed and ready for more.
This unique training method allowed Asher to push himself beyond what would be physically possible in the real world. He could engage in multiple intense sessions throughout the day, each one bringing him closer to the edge of his capabilities.
As he sat there, contemplating his progress, Asher's hand absentmindedly stroked Inky's smooth, cool skin. The creature stirred slightly, emitting a soft, bubble-like pop in its sleep. The sound brought a rare smile to Asher's face.
His gaze drifted to Little Jormu, coiled nearby, wisps of mist curling around its sleeping form. He had to grow stronger for them as well.
Asher's mind wandered to their hunting sessions. The synergy between the three of them had grown exponentially over the past month. Inky, with its shadowy tentacles and newly developed claws, had become a formidable predator. The image of the small Kraken tripling in size from when it was just a week old flashed in Asher's mind, a testament to the rapid growth they were all experiencing.
Little Jormu's tactics were equally impressive, if more unsettling. The dense mist it conjured, filled with hallucinations that tormented their prey, was a powerful weapon. Asher still didn't fully understand how the mist worked, but he couldn't deny its effectiveness.
As if sensing his thoughts, Little Jormu stirred, a thin tendril of mist curling around Asher's wrist. The touch was cool and soothing, a stark contrast to the terrifying effect it had on their prey.
Asher closed his eyes, letting the quiet of the night wash over him. The crackling fire, the soft sounds of his sleeping companions, the distant call of some nocturnal creature – it all blended into a strangely comforting ambiance.
In this moment of peace, Asher allowed himself to reflect on how far he had come. The Memory Palace had become one of his most valuable tool, pushing him to limits he never thought possible. But it was not without its challenges.
The pool of water, his gateway to these intense training sessions, needed time to recover – about 12 hours, similar to the cooldown of an active skill. This imposed a natural limit on how often he could engage in these mental battles.
Moreover, Asher had discovered that repeatedly experiencing the same memory yielded diminishing returns. Each subsequent session with the same scenario had a drastically reduced effect, forcing him to constantly seek out new challenges and encounters.
This realization had led to a shift in his strategy. When facing diminishing returns, Asher began to focus on specific stats during his mental battles. In his most recent session, he had fought the Earthhide Bear bare-handed, pushing his strength and endurance to their absolute limits.
The memory of that simulated battle sent a shudder through Asher's body. He could still feel the phantom pain of the bear's claws tearing into his flesh, the crushing pressure as it mauled him. The defeat had been gruesome, but the gains – a point in endurance and increased shock resistance – made the ordeal worthwhile, at least he hoped so.
Asher's fingers traced the scars on his arms, reminders of real battles fought and won. The line between memory and reality sometimes blurred, but the results were undeniable. Over the course of his training in the Memory Palace, he had made significant gains:
[ Physical limits surpassed Strength +1 Endurance +2 Agility +1 Vitality +2 ]
[ Physical limits surpassed Pain resistance increased. Endurance +1, Mind +1 ]
[ Mental limits surpassed Willpower and Concentration increased. Mind +1, Intelligence +1 ]
[ Physical limits surpassed Hemorrhage resistance increased. Vitality +1 ]
[ Physical limits surpassed Shock resistance increased. Mind +1, Vitality +1, Endurance +1 ]
Each point represented countless hours of mental and physical strain, pushing against the very limits of his being.
As the night deepened, Asher's thoughts turned to the challenges that lay ahead. The Memory Palace was a powerful tool, but it was not enough on its own. He needed to balance his mental training with real-world experience, ensuring that his performance in actual hunts wasn't compromised.
His gaze fell on Inky and Little Jormu once more. Despite their fearsome abilities, they still retained a certain innocence, a playfulness that contrasted sharply with the deadly skills they displayed during hunts. Asher marveled at the duality of their nature – at once terrifying predators and affectionate companions.
The system descriptions of his companions flashed in his mind:
[ Shadow-Coil Ink Kraken(semi-awakened ): The Shadow-Coil Ink Kraken is a nightmare incarnate, whispered of in fearful legends and tales. Said to originate from the void between worlds, this abyssal beast wields a terrifying mastery over shadow, space, and void magic. The transformation from a Void Kraken into a Shadow-Coil Ink Kraken signifies a mutation not only in power but in malevolence.
Those who have encountered this creature and lived to tell the tale describe its approach as a shroud of inky blackness that consumes light and hope alike. Its presence alone can induce terror, as it silently drifts through the shadows, its crimson eyes glowing with an insatiable hunger.
The Shadow-Coil Ink Kraken is a relentless hunter, known for dragging entire ships and their crews into the depths of the void, never to be seen again. Even on land, it is a formidable adversary, capable of striking from the shadows with lethal precision. The stories claim that only the bravest or most foolhardy would dare to seek out this beast, for it is said that once you catch its eye, escape is all but impossible.
Current status: Juvenile, happy ]
[ Mistweaver Wrymling( Semi-awakened ): The Mistweaver Wyrmling is a creature born of elemental magic, feared and revered in equal measure. Legends tell of this beast weaving through mountain mists and valley fogs, unseen until it strikes. Its transformation from an Azure Snake into a Mistweaver Wyrmling marks its ascension to a new level of mystical prowess. This creature's presence is heralded by a creeping fog that numbs the senses and twists reality. Hunters and warriors who venture into its territory often return with tales of ghostly figures and eerie sounds that haunt their dreams. Some never return at all, their final moments lost within the wyrmling's mist.
The Mistweaver Wyrmling is particularly feared for its ability to induce hallucinations, causing even the bravest of warriors to see their worst fears or wander aimlessly in a daze. Its mist is said to be imbued with the power to warp perception, making it nearly impossible to distinguish friend from foe. The wyrmling's ability to navigate through and manipulate its mist makes it a formidable ally, capable of turning the tide of battle with its strategic illusions and suffocating embrace.
Current state: Juvenile, Happy ]
The contrast between these fearsome descriptions and the creatures peacefully slumbering beside him was stark. Asher wondered about the potential locked within them, the power they might one day wield. Would they retain their affection for him as they grew more powerful? Or would their nature as legendary beasts eventually overshadow the bond they shared?
These questions swirled in Asher's mind as exhaustion began to creep in. The mental strain of his Memory Palace session, combined with the physical exertion of the day's hunt, was finally taking its toll.
As he settled down to sleep, Asher's last thoughts were of the challenges that lay ahead. The world outside their cave was filled with dangers, many of which he had yet to encounter. But with each passing day, with each grueling training session and successful hunt, he was growing stronger, and more prepared.
The fire crackled softly, casting dancing shadows on the cave walls. Inky and Little Jormu shifted in their sleep, instinctively moving closer to Asher. In this moment of quiet, surrounded by the unlikely family he had found, Asher allowed himself to feel comfort for a bit.