The weapon of power, the weapon of wisdom, or the weapon of speed? That was the question.
The dim and enchanted light of Luminara wrapped the hall, creating an almost surreal atmosphere. Marshmallow, standing in front of the queen of the satyrs, felt as if he was suspended in a moment outside of time.
"Power, wisdom, or speed?" he murmured, gazing at Luminara's hands where the three hidden weapons lay.
The Goat Horse, by his side, remained silent, but his eyes never left the queen's hands for an instant.
"Goat Horse, what do you think?" Marshmallow asked, breaking the silence. "What the heck does choosing between power, wisdom, and speed even mean?"
With a mischievous smile, the Goat Horse replied in his usual irreverent tone. "You should choose what feels most fitting to you, obviously."
Marshmallow huffed, slightly irritated. "Thanks a bunch, I already knew that!" he responded, rolling his eyes.
A thought began to form in his mind, reflecting on his experiences in the Survivor Game. "What would be the best choice for me?" he wondered.
"Power... could be a good choice, but what exactly does Power mean?" He spoke out loud to himself, then moved on to the other options. "And Wisdom? Speed?"
Curious and a bit confused, he decided to ask Luminara directly. "Queen Luminara, could you please explain these choices better? What exactly do 'Power', 'Wisdom', and 'Speed' represent?"
Luminara gazed at him with her shining eyes. "Marshmallow, the Weapon of Power is an extension of brute strength and endurance. It is the echo of the earth trembling and thunder breaking the sky. Those who choose Power opt to confront the world with unstoppable force. Then," she continued, "there is the Weapon of Wisdom. It’s not just a weapon, but a channel for the flow of knowledge and ancient magic. It's like the water that flows, always moving, always adaptable. Those who choose Wisdom opt to understand the mysteries of the world and use that knowledge to face challenges. Finally," Luminara concluded, “the Weapon of Speed is the materialization of agility and swiftness. It is the light breeze that blows through the forest unseen or unheard. Those who choose Speed opt to overcome obstacles with grace and swiftness, outmaneuvering every move of the enemy."
Marshmallow listened, absorbing every word. The choice now seemed even more difficult, but also more meaningful. Each weapon had its charm and potential, and the decision he was about to make could certainly change the course of his adventure in the Survivor Game.
Marshmallow, with his eyes fixed on Luminara's hands, pondered the deeper meaning of the weapons. "Power, wisdom, or speed..." The words echoed in his mind as he evaluated each option.
The weapon of power was strong and heavy, a symbol of brute force and dominion. The weapon of wisdom offered access to magical powers, an intriguing prospect but full of unknowns. The weapon of speed, light and quick, seemed an agile option but perhaps not enough for the challenges that awaited them.
The path of wisdom might be intriguing, but it's a risk. And speed? I have the Goat Horse by my side for defense, speed is not something fundamental in my condition. What I need is offensive power.
The memory of the fight against the Grimgoat came back to him. With only a folding knife, he hadn't been able to make even a scratch on the creature.
The path of power is the right one.
"I choose the weapon of power," he announced to Luminara with a firm voice.
Luminara nodded, her face illuminated by an enigmatic smile. With a fluid and majestic gesture, she revealed the weapon.
There it was in all its magnificence: the Titan Hammer. It was an imposing object, with a handle carved from precious wood and a head forged from a large dark stone. Marshmallow, with his eyes fixed on the Titan Hammer, approached with a mix of reverence and determination. His hand rose, almost timidly, towards the handle. When his grip finally closed around the wood, he felt the weight of the weapon. It was enormous, overwhelming as if he had tried to lift a part of the earth itself.
He frowned. “What's this thing made of?”
The weight of the Titan Hammer was something metaphysical. An incredulous smile painted his face as he struggled to lift the Titan Hammer when suddenly a screen appeared in front of him.
ITEM Titan Hammer Description A gigantic two-handed hammer, whose handle has been carved from an entire millennial tree and whose head is made from a fragment of a meteorite fallen from the sky. Each of its strikes resonates like thunder. Increases Strength stat by 30%. Minimum Requirements Strength 15 to use it. Strength 50 to master it.
"What the hell..." Marshmallow murmured, realizing he didn’t have the necessary strength to wield the weapon. "I need more strength..."
The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings.
Fortunately, Marshmallow remembered he had +3 assignable points to improve his abilities. Without hesitation, he allocated all of them to Strength, focusing his will on that thought.
+3 points assigned to Strength
As soon as he made the choice, he felt a surge of energy coursing through his body. It was an extraordinary sensation as if every muscle had been flooded with a revitalizing and powerful force. His arms, previously tense and tired, now felt more robust, capable of holding the Titan Hammer with newfound firmness.
With each breath, Marshmallow felt an increase in his physical capacity. The fatigue that had previously plagued him seemed to dissolve, leaving him with a sense of renewed vigor and power. Every fiber of his being seemed to vibrate with strength, a transformation that left him both surprised and exhilarated.
It was as if he had made a qualitative leap in his physical condition, not just improving what he had, but gaining a new ability to endure and exert power. Now Marshmallow felt he could handle the Titan Hammer with a dexterity that was previously unattainable to him as if his body had reached a new harmony with the weapon.
His Strength was now at 16. With renewed confidence, Marshmallow tried to grasp the Titan Hammer again. It was still tremendously heavy, and his balance wavered under the weight of the weapon, but now he could wield it. Each movement required immense effort, but he felt the strength flowing through him, a power he had never known before.
The Goat Horse watched him, a mix of awe and respect in his eyes. "Not bad, Marshmallow," he said. "Now you really look like one of those legendary warriors you read about in stories."
Marshmallow, holding the hammer, felt for the first time truly ready to face the Grimgoat. With the Titan Hammer in hand, he knew he had made the right choice. Clasping the handle firmly, he focused, trying to feel the balance and weight of the weapon. The hammer was massive, its meteorite head seemed to pull toward the ground with its gravitational force. With each attempt to lift it, veins on his arms bulged, and a sheen of sweat appeared on his forehead.
"Hold it firmly," Marshmallow whispered to himself, trying to find the right position to manage the weight. He took a step forward, then another, feeling the hammer swing heavily by his side. Each step required deliberate attention as if he was learning to walk again.
The Goat Horse, with watchful eyes and an expression of clear interest, observed him. "It's not like a normal weapon, is it? It's like you're holding a piece of the mountain," he commented, then added, "Use your whole body, Marshmallow. It's not just the arms that move the hammer, but every muscle, from the tips of your toes to the top of your head. Let the hammer become a part of you, an extension of your body."
Marshmallow nodded, absorbing the advice. He closed his eyes for a moment, taking a deep breath. When he reopened them, it was as if he had found a new determination. He began to modulate his movements, making subtle but fundamental corrections to his posture and the way he handled the hammer. Instead of struggling against the weight of the hammer, he started to work with it, using its inertia.
Now moving with greater confidence, he raised the hammer in an attack position. With a determined shout, he brought it down in a powerful arc, letting the weight guide the movement. The strike, which ended a few inches from the ground, produced a dull sound and a slight tremor in the earth.
"Exactly!" the Goat Horse exclaimed with a broad smile on his face. "That's how it's done. Looks like you're starting to master it."
As Marshmallow adapted to the weight of the Titan Hammer, Luminara approached with light steps, her face brightened by a smile full of wisdom. "Remember, Marshmallow," she said with a voice that seemed to intertwine with the light around them, "the power of this weapon is immense, but it requires balance and control. Don't let the hammer dominate you; you must guide it."
Marshmallow nodded, absorbing Luminara's words. With every swing and strike, the Titan Hammer began to feel less like a stranger and more like a natural extension of his body. Marshmallow felt his muscles adapt, his movements become more fluid, and his posture more secure.
The strikes resonated through the hall and each vibration of the hammer aligned with the beat of his heart. Marshmallow moved with a rhythm that seemed almost like a dance, a balance between brute force and refined precision.
The Goat Horse watched him, now with an expression of respect. "You're learning fast," he said. "It's like you and the hammer speak the same language."
Marshmallow felt Luminara's presence stealthily approaching, bringing with her an unusual air of gravity. The light and dancing aura that usually surrounded her now trembled, almost reflecting an inner turmoil.
"Marshmallow," Luminara began, her voice a kaleidoscope of contrasting emotions, a slight tremble betraying her usual composure. "Before you can face the Grimgoat, there's a trial you must pass. The final test."
Marshmallow, still bent from the effort of training, straightened up, fixing Luminara with a look that oscillated between curiosity and caution. "A trial?" he asked, his voice tinged with a mix of questioning and apprehension.
Luminara approached, her walk fluid but heavy, almost laden with an invisible weight. "You must fight... AGAINST ME!" she revealed, shouting, and her expression became severe, almost pained. "I must be sure that you are truly ready to face my husband, the Grimgoat!"
The revelation left Marshmallow motionless, almost enchanted by Luminara's words. "Fight against you?" he repeated, his voice now a tense thread of disbelief and tension.
"Yes," Luminara confirmed, assuming a fighting stance Marshmallow had never seen her take before. Her figure, once a symbol of wisdom and serenity, now emanated an intimidating aura. "It's the only way I have to be sure of your preparation."
Before Marshmallow could respond or even prepare himself, Luminara acted. With a swift and fluid movement, her hands traced a symbol in the air, and in an instant, a flash of magical light shone from her palms, hurtling towards him with lightning speed.