A mysterious artefact, lost in time and location only to be discovered in the middle of Silva’s twisted forest. I would be stupid to accept. I mean what if it drains my soul or summons a Reaver?

Do I need to partake in a crucible while I'm already doing Mother’s trials? Maybe I can investigate this contraption and gain more information first. I touch the horns of a Daemon’s in the middle of the totem and hold my hand in place.

Do you wish to activate an Aspirant Crucible?

Requirements to activate:

Ordo 2/5

Neuo 2/5

Chao 2/5

All are now Ash rank so I believe I meet the requirements, though I still don’t exactly know their meaning.

Originally Ordo and Neuo were the only ones to increase during my first empowerment. Then Chao after my second, which leads me to believe they’re linked with the associated powers from both Gods.

Neuo did increase after my third training day with Toomas, so could be a general fitness and health attribute. I glance at Cane, hoping for some guidance before attempting a silly endeavour.

“The Reaver called me an Aspirant, so these Crucibles are dedicated to whatever class or powers that are for. Should I go for it?” Cane stares with a blank expression until I direct my attention at him, causing his out of proportion ears to perk up.

“Yes you are right, Alek did say I should take any boon offered to me in this world.” If this ordeal has a base level to initially operate it, considering the requirement of both being an Aspirant and having the right attribute level, which I meet and surpass.

This challenge could be an absolute breeze for me, more like an Aspirant chore. Whatever I face would be a chance to practise my powers and skills, there may even be loot or Spirit rewards.

“Get ready Cane.” I command. He shifts from docile to vigilante in a leaf fall, focusing on the shimmering totem where my focus is also directed. The top of the totem is obscured by the encroaching roots, I can only identify three races from them, which are Daemon’s, humans and Satyrs.

I press my hand against the artefact and mentally activate the crucible. The metal heads flow like liquid metal, warping like the shape shifting T-1000 in Terminator 2. Each head's expressions shift through emotions until the mouths open wide as if in a silent scream.

I slice my palm and ignite my Searing Blade. The horns of the Satyr near the bottom, expand and grow out. The quicksilver colour shimmers with rainbow colours, that pulse from point to head.

We remain motionless, ready for battle.

Nothing happens.

I reach out with my left and grasp the first horn, runes appear that burn with iridescent lights.

Ordo level met

I lay my sword on the ground, a hiss of steam jets up from the moist soil as water evaporates and micro life is eradicated instantly. Grabbing the next horn, its runes reacted to my touch with a glowing light.

Chao level met

The runes now emerge from either side of the totem Satyr head flowing to meet in the middle and highlight the entire artefact.

Neuo level met

A blinding pain scorches my existence. Internal organs that don’t even house the nerve endings to elicit such discomfort suddenly scream in agony. My skin prickles as electric waves and boiling heat plasters every cell in my body. The runes on the head burn intensely with wild rainbow colours.

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Aspirant Crucible activated

Pla…

I barely read the mystical text in my vision as the lacerating pain finally ends, I leap back from the totem. Cane whines with frustration as he senses my suffering. The Satyr’s screaming mouth sinks into an endless void of darkness inside.

I crawl forward snatching my burning Xiphos off the ground and get ready for whatever creature is sent out.

Weapon held high and ready to strike down, my unblinking eyes dry up as the leaf falls past.

A tiny furry rat flops out of the abyss and onto the soil, it instantly scurries from the sunlight into the nearest bush. I follow its path of rustling leaves for a few metres before a gust of wind whips the fern sea into motion. It settles to a peaceful afternoon with twilight creeping into the shadows.

The void inside the Satyr mouth withers and returns to normality, each totem head ends their silent screams as the mouths clamp shut, the embroidered ruins die and disappear into the shimmering material.

“Is this a joke?” My Searing Blade switches off in answer.

I touch the totem’s side again.

Plague-bearer summoned

Aspirant Crucible Pending

Oh no. I rush to the ferns, rummaging through the closest ones, slashing and stabbing in a futile effort to expose the creature.

“Cane, come here.” I beckon to him.

Cattle Senses

He sucks a pantry of smells into his gaping nostrils; dense earthy soil, hints of blossoming flowers, sweet nectars from ripe fruits and a dank undercurrent of pestilence. I hear the splatter of my own vomit through Cane’s ears, the stench of disease and rot overbearing. I lose contact with my companion and reel back on my heels, stumbling around to catch my balance.

I slap myself in the face.

“Sort your muk out.” I tell myself.

I need to catch that little rat or at the very least ensure it doesn’t reach the village. I dive back into Cane’s senses, mentally prepared for the vile odour this time, and track its trail into the forest.

The lingering reek of its stench sat so uniquely apart from the natural scents of Silva that it was like following a bright neon trail through the foliage, extremely easy to read but excruciatingly horrible regardless.

We scamper through the forest, staying vigilant throughout our hunt, always aware of potential threats. We whip past Esca camouflaged in the bark of trees and two bramble bushes with hidden Rubus underneath. This vividly reminds me that other beasts of the night are present amongst these trees and the sun is dipping for the day.

The tiny rat’s scent was thinning by now, shifting winds and aromatic fragrances slowly covering the stench until even Cane’s great nose could barely detect it.

I call a halt.

“We should get back to the village before night, at least we know this ‘plague-bearer’ rodent is heading away from the tribe.”

I sigh with failure, this has been a frustratingly unproductive day. We jog home, self doubt following me as I berate myself from constant folly. First, the furious reprimand by Alek during my sword training, that did eventually led to a heartfelt chat about work ethic and achievement.

Then I discover a treasure that I greedily leap at in hopes of gaining a boon, only to butcher it by letting the critter escape with my reward.

To top off this splendid day, I missed my afternoon training with Toomas which will escalate the already insufferable intensity of our training sessions. I could lie and say we got lost, but that isn’t going to support my position as a worthy tribal leader. I will grumble for an apology and pray to Mother he goes easy on me.

As we reach the outskirts of the village I slow my pace to a brisk walk, we have escaped the luring danger that night imposes, however I wasn’t too keen to run straight into Tooma’s metaphorical whip. I check Cane’s bark wrap along the way, the edges already flaking as fresh light pink skin shows underneath.

“You clean up good buddy. I will have to hunt down all the people who helped you out and thank them.” That was going to be a challenge in itself since most Satyrs looked similar to me. How in this fantasy hell will I be able to identify them? A bustling answer burst through the ferns with his obnoxiously broad smile and energy to match, Boi.

“Shepherd! Your second in command is reporting for orders!” Boi screams in pure ecstasy at finding us. I need the magical equivalent of Ritalin to deal with this kid.

“Boi! Cane is the flock's General and you are his Captain. You must remember the hierarchy.” His head begins nodding violently again until I hold him still.

“Stop that!”

“Yes Shepherd!”

“I need to thank you for helping Cane the other night, you followed orders to the letter and it didn’t go unnoticed. Now I need you to help me identify the other who applied the bark wrap. Can you do that?”

“Yes, but they do not understand discipline and authority in the Shepherd’s army.”

“Flock, not army. Whose authority are we talking about? Mine?”

“No Shepherd. Boi’s, I told them their duties and highlighted any faults I saw in the bark wrap process. They got angry and sent me away.” That explains why I hadn’t seen him by Cane after I spoke with the Voice that day. I might have to thank the helpful Satyrs and apologise at the same time.

“Rut those flockless fawns anyway!”

“Boi, do not swear. Mother is watching and she will be very angry.”

“But you will not Shepherd, for I have great news for you.”

“What’s that then?”

“Mother’s second trial was announced today, you are going into the Depths of Death. Is this not the most exciting news?”

“Rut me!”

I hate this kid.