Back in Havenstone, Brian grinned at the sight of Ilex and Sophia, who were waiting for him and Serdna. Both had fully recovered from their injuries, looking stronger than ever. They gathered in the building where Brian had recovered from the valtivenom's poison.
"Hey!" Sophia's voice was cheerful as she approached Brian, her arms wide open. He welcomed the embrace, feeling her warmth seep into him. In that moment, they shared a tender connection, both glad to see each other safe and sound.
"Hello," Ilex said casually.
"Howdy, Ilex," Brian replied, releasing Sophia. "We found an underground dungeon beneath one of the buildings. It was pretty intense, but we managed to retrieve the artifact the government had sent Sedna to get."
Serdna's eyes widened, and he glared at Brian. "Dude, what the fuck? You weren't supposed to tell anyone!"
"Sorry," Brian shrugged, trying to play it off casually. "But… They won’t tell anyone, so there’s no need to worry."
Serdna sighed, shaking his head. "Fine, just don't tell Mandrix, alright?"
"Deal," Brian agreed. Then, he noticed that Sophia’s valtite energy had also flicker rank. "Anyways, Sophia, I was meaning to ask you, have you had strange lucid dreams while you’ve been here?"
"Uh, no," Sophia replied, taken aback by the question. "Why do you ask? And what do you mean?"
"Every now and then I get these weird dreams," he explained. "I feel like I’m in another part of Valteria, they’re not normal dreams, I know that much. Because I have full control of my actions. It feels like maybe is the valtite trying to communicate with me."
"That's incredible! It seems everyone has their own unique relationship with valtite energy.” Sophia's eyes sparkled with fascination. “What does it tell you?”
“It’s usually something related to the valtite system, the last one went over specializations and stats.”
“Specializations? What are those?” Sophia asked. “Just remember, Brian, that you're more than just numbers and stats,”
"I think it’s something like a fighting style, or a class. I’m not too sure yet," Brian said, but his mind was all in for the idea of being represented by numbers and stats. It gave him a sense of control and a clear way to measure his progress and achievements. It was perfect for him, and he couldn’t wait to plan the shit out of the perfect point distribution. “But, I understand what you’re saying.”
“So, what’s everyone’s plans?” Serdna asked airily, suddenly switching the subject. “I should probably head to Arcasium soon and deliver this item. But I think that I am going to take a nap first. This Auditory Core drained all my valtite.” He cracked his back, the sound reverberated through the entire outpost.
"Ouch. Well, I want to practice using my void energy a little," Brian announced, as he looked at his right hand. "I think I just need some practice. But I’ll head back to Arcasium with you when you’re ready. I want to ask around about the Valtite System."
"Fantastic, I’ll come get you before I leave," Serdna began, his exhaustion evident. "I’m off to rest for a bit before we head back. That dungeon really took a lot out of me."
"Understandable," Brian replied, nodding sympathetically.
Ilex unexpectedly chimed in, “Brian, I can throw acid at you,” startling Brian and catching him off guard.
"Can I watch?" Sophia asked, her eyes shining with curiosity.
"Ah, sure," Brian said with a smile. “Let’s meet behind the first building in a bit, I need to sit down for five minutiae.”
“Ok,” was Ilex’s only response.
“Sure thing, I’ll fix us some snacks.” Sophia added.
It was true that Brian needed to catch his breath, but he actually couldn’t wait to analyze his stats. With his friends out of view he laid on his back on the hard surface of the empty building and meditated. It wasn’t going to be nearly enough time to fully restore his valtite, but it would calm his mind and let me him distribute his latest free points.
Status:
Energy Signature: Brian Valtwood
Energy Rank: Trace (lvl 22)
Valtite Reserves: 1602
Rank Progress: 16%Affinity: Void Dominion
Specialization: Initiate Phantom
Profession: None (Locked)
Vitality: 512/610
Vigor: 258/550
Valtite: 423/450
Stats:
Constitution: 61
Strength: 46
Endurance: 55
Dexterity: 63
Wisdom: 45
Intelligence: 45
Untrained Potential: 3
Brian had initially planned to invest some points into endurance, a consideration that seemed sound, especially since, if it hadn't been for Serdna's ability, he would have been ready to give up halfway up the staircase when they were exiting the dungeon. However, completing the dungeon awarded him ten points to endurance, and he felt that the increase was sufficient for now.
The near-death experience at the hands of the valtivenoms invaded his mind again. On top of that, his head started throbbing as he reminisced about the dungeon’s painful hum. In a fit of emotion, he threw all of his points into constitution.
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His stats were progressing, and he was starting to see a build forming, but Brian felt as if something were still lacking. He didn't feel like he could go one-on-one in a battle to the death yet, a readiness that he deemed indispensable in Valteria. He hoped that his upcoming sparring session with Ilex would shed some light on what he was missing.
After coming out of meditation, Brian rose to his feet, dusted himself off, and met with Ilex behind the building near the entrance to Havenstone Outpost.
"Alright, Ilex, I need you to make your attack less acidic this time," Brian instructed as they prepared to start. "I don't want to get badly burned, but it shouldn't be completely harmless either.” Brian thought that if the attacks could hurt him, it might motivate him more to manifest his valtite."
"Ok," Ilex responded, a wicked grin forming on his face. He started flinging acid at Brian, who pointed his right palm forward, trying to manifest valtite from his right hand. At this point, Brian had his Occulus sight fully engaged, allowing him to visualize the flow of valtite and dodge Ilex's attacks with ease.
However, no matter how hard he tried, nothing manifested from his right hand yet. Sweat dripped down his forehead as he narrowly dodged another acid attack, frustration building up inside him. Come on, why isn't this working? he thought, gritting his teeth.
"Keep trying, Brian!" Sophia called out encouragingly. "You'll get it!"
"Thanks," he thought, grateful for her support but also feeling the pressure to succeed mounting. Performance anxiety was no mere concept to him; it was a tangible force that constricted his breath and clouded his focus.
Ilex continued his attacks, and Brian watched in disappointment as his vigor steadily dwindled, without achieving any results. He was determined not to give up until he had improved his valtite.
After sols of relentless practice, Brian finally started to feel the tingling sensation in his fingertips as if the valtite was finally on the verge of breaking through. He felt the momentary surge of excitement at the prospect. He was close, he could feel it; just as he had felt at the Decimator Academy.
"Hey," Ilex panted, wiping sweat from his brow. "I've got three more acid attacks before I'm tapped out."
"I see," Brian replied, equally exhausted. "I am at my limit as well, but please send them my way. I’m close!"
"Sure," Ilex said, still grinning despite his fatigue.
Gathering himself for another round of dodging, Brian focused his attention on the remaining attacks. He was going to do it, he could feel it. As Ilex launched another acid attack, Brian's exhaustion caused him to dodge clumsily. A drop of acid grazed his forearm, and a brutal reaction ensued.
The acid immediately corroded his skin's outer layer, causing Brian to collapse to the ground from the intense searing pain. His skin bubbled and blistered, leaving a gruesome white and red scar in its wake.
"Fuck, Ilex!" Brian shouted, gritting his teeth against the pain. "That acid was way too potent!"
"Sorry, man," Ilex replied defensively, "I thought you wanted it to be a little dangerous."
"Little? That was super dangerous!" Brian retorted, cradling his injured arm. "That could have killed me!"
"Alright, alright," Ilex conceded, looking genuinely apologetic. "I'll tone it down a little more."
"Please do," He didn't fully trust that Ilex would comply.
Brian sighed, breathing heavily as he fought to regain his composure. Although the pain was excruciating, his arm was already feeling better, his constitution was still his highest stat after all.
He was ready to push through their last two attempts. Preparing himself, he tried to mimic in his right hand the same feeling he experienced in his left palm when using his EHG.
"Ok, let’s go," Brian took a deep breath and braced himself. Brian couldn't shake the feeling that Ilex might still be underestimating the danger of his acid. He decided to rely on his valtite vision and heightened senses to protect himself from any surprises.
"Here comes the next one!" Ilex warned, launching another acid attack. This time, as the projectile hurtled toward him, Brian felt something different – the tingling sensation intensified in his fingertips. It was as if the dormant energy was finally ready to be released.
In a split second, a short black… tentacle? made of pure void energy burst forth from Brian’s palm. It absorbed the acidic onslaught and vanished just as quickly as it had appeared. Brian stared at his hand in disbelief, both thrilled and confused by what had just occurred.
"Did you see that?" Brian’s speech wavered between excitement and uncertainty.
"Yeah, that was... something," Sophia replied, equally puzzled.
"Let's try again. Send the last one." He thought that if he could replicate the phenomenon, he would be closer to control it.
Ilex nodded and launched his last acid attack. As it flew toward him, Brian focused once more on the strange sensations within his right hand. The dark tentacle emerged again, this time lingering for two nivosecs, allowing Brian to study the bizarre manifestation of his valtite power.
[Void Tentacle (Trace)] - Manifests a whip-like tentacle of void energy from the user's palm, capable of absorbing and neutralizing attacks. The tentacle's movements are erratic and currently uncontrolled, requiring further mastery. Usage may lead to exhaustion.
But it wasn't exactly a tentacle – more like a whip that lashed out erratically in every direction. No matter how Brian shifted his hand, the whip remained wild and uncontrollable. With a stroke of luck, the whip severed Ilex's acid attack before it could reach him.
Sophia approached Brian, her eyes filled with concern. "That was really impressive, but are you alright? You look exhausted."
"Thanks," Brian replied, rubbing his sore forearm where the acid had grazed him earlier. "I'm just tired. It's been a long day."
"Hey, Brian," Ilex called out. "Congratulations on manifesting your wobbly thing."
"Yeah, Ilex, let’s go with that," Brian said. He couldn’t avoid feeling a little embarrassed. "Aside from the mishap, thanks for helping me with my little exercise."
Ilex chuckled dryly, waving away the concern. "No problem. Your little exercise also helped me improve my valtite control."
"Let's get some rest then," Sophia suggested with a warm smile. "We all need to be in top shape for our journey back to Arcasium."
Brian nodded.
As they made their way back to their temporary lodgings in Havenstone, he couldn't shake the nagging feeling that this new power was both a blessing and a curse. His valtite energy, which manifested as a wild, whip-like tentacle, seemed to have a mind of its own. Without proper control, he considered it unreliable, but he knew that more experimentation was needed.
Brian found himself resting in the same bed where he had woken up after his near-death experience with the valtivenoms. He stared at the dusty ceiling that threatened to collapse at any moment attempting to analyze what he had learned about his void powers. But it was proving difficult.
Sophia insisted on lying down next to him. She was still quite shaken by Brian's near-death experience and by waking up to find him gone. Brian knew that it had been irresponsible for him to venture into the dungeon without letting her know, especially after she had carried him from Serpent’s Pools to Havenstone Outpost all by herself. However, he hadn't wanted to wake her, wanting her to rest, and Serdna had been operating under the directorate’s schedule.
A gentle warmth pressed against his side. Sophia had drifted to sleep beside him, her soft breaths the only sound in the stillness. Brian studied her face, more serene and vulnerable in repose. An unfamiliar ache bloomed in his chest.
Since coming here, she had become his touchstone amidst the chaos. It still bewildered him how accommodating she had been all this time, but Brian had grown accustomed to it.
Brian gingerly brushed a wisp of hair from Sophia's cheek. She stirred, eyes fluttering open to meet his gaze. A wordless understanding seemed to pass between them in that moment. Brian drew Sophia closer and she settled against him, head nestled on his chest.
As he held her, the gnawing thoughts of self-doubt faded to a distant hum. With her, Brian felt grounded and whole. He focused on the rise and fall of Sophia's chest, matching his breathing to the steady rhythm. Sleep slowly claimed him as he let the concerns of tomorrow fall away.