Ori exhaled.
Being recognised, yet having his entire ordeal reduced to a few paragraphs, stirred mixed emotions that he had difficulty making sense of. He had finally Awakened and by any measure, with increased strength and toughness, he’d be the equivalent of a Marvel Avenger back on Earth, a literal superhero capable of calling down lightning and healing mortal wounds. Even in this world of Awakened Heroes, Sovereign Fairies, and actual gods, Ori was above average and certainly better off than most at his level.
However, once again, an artificial constraint had been imposed, hindering his progress. Once more, had another person's whims had detrimentally impacted his future.
Beyond that, instincts pushed and pulled him as he borrowed from their intuitions and used their fonts of power to survive. But could he even call this surviving, this daily, constant battle to keep the core of who he was intact?
He was an Entity now, the High Human, but could he still be Ori Suba? And what did it matter if he could or not? Was the image of an insecure, lonely boy with little going for him beyond recent academic success, worth clinging to in the grand scheme of things?
In this quiet interval between inevitable bouts of violence, Ori allowed himself the space and time to simply feel. Freya seemed to sense Ori’s mood and left him alone with his thoughts as she read the rest of his character sheet and came to terms with her own brooding thoughts, of which Ori could scarcely guess at.
----------------------------------------
“Sorry, just needed a minute,” Ori said, his mind clearing after half an hour of rest and contemplation.
“Are you alright, Ori?”
“Yeah, I’m good. Just needed to clear my head. I’m actually a bit overwhelmed by it all, to be honest.”
“Wild luck, Ori! Yes those traits especially, leave me in awe. If I didn’t already know you to be an entity and hadn’t I relived the memory of your first kill… Still, I scarcely know what to think.” Freya babbled, missing his meaning. Ori didn’t correct her, choosing to be swept up in her excitement.
“So, you're saying, these are not some basic accolades or traits?” Ori feigned seriousness while fighting his lip from curling.
“No, they are not. It was wise of that elf to hide your titles from casual inspection.”
“That elf is Harriet, 'would appreciate it if you used her name, please?”
“Fine,” She agreed grudgingly, “For hiding your titles from a casual request from the Library of Fates and most adversarial divinations, I can call your elf, Harriet.”
“You know ...I have two elves?” Ori smirked.
“Yes, and one is far too many for that ego of yours.” Freya harrumphed. Ori chuckled.
“So, they’re good? The traits I mean? And how does the maths all work out? Please tell me it’s all multiplicative?”
“Yes, everything multiplies with everything else, Racial and Class traits, Artefact bonuses, even Affinities, in spells they multiply with your characteristic values to produce damage. Increasing one increases the final value, increasing them all, or adding more multipliers increases the final value by a lot. The details are all there on your page of fates when you dig down deep enough.
“When properly utilised, your Duælist’s trait will allow you to handily fight a rank above your own, this is once again the case with your Will of the High Human ability.
As each rank difference is something like ten times more in strength and resilience, you are about a hundred times as strong as you should be before we take into account artefacts or affinities. Those would likely give you an additional rank advantage in offence at least, which may allow you to contend with Sovereigns, at least on the surface. However, you shouldn’t forget that you are still vulnerable in resilience and defence and that those who rise to Sovereign, do so upon the bodies of countless foes and under the light of significant achievements, and may have artefacts to equal your own.”
“Got it, avoid sovereign rankers or above. I’m not stupid, even that Greater Rank Incubus almost killed me back there. I’m a little tougher, but nothing compared to those Sovereign ranking monsters.”
“Uhuh. Says the boy who might have to face all the Wardens to escape prison.”
With no answer, Ori simply shrugged.
“My classes, you seen them? They kinda suck.” Ori said as he reviewed the details once more.
> Class Title: Duælist
>
> Rarity: Unique
>
> Rank: Journeyman
>
> Requirements: Unique Accolade: Duælist
>
> Per Level Bonus: to be decided upon selection
>
> +1 Inherent Affinity (Duælism)
>
> Class Traits: Upon selection, this class uniquely tailors itself based on the affinities and characteristics of the Duælist
>
> Description: This unique class is bestowed upon those who have achieved a unique accolade through duelling opponents of higher rank while dual-wielding two items of the same or different type. The Duælist gains passive enhancements to their dual-wielding abilities, with additional bonuses for using multiple types of weapons simultaneously. As the unique class of the entity named Duælist, this class will tailor itself to suit the needs of its user upon selection and over time.
>
> Class Spells: After selection, this class uniquely tailors itself based on the affinities, characteristics and needs of the Duælist.
> Class Title: Bondweaver
>
> Rarity: Unique
>
> Rank: Journeyman
>
> Requirements: Unique Accolade: Bondweaver
>
> Per Level Bonus: To be decided upon selection
>
> +1 Inherent Affinity: (Soulcrafting)
>
> Class Traits: Upon selection, this class uniquely tailors itself based on the affinities and characteristics of the Bondweaver.
>
> Description: This unique class is bestowed upon those who have achieved the unique accolade of Bondweaver, recognised for their unparalleled skill in soul crafting and the weaving of soul bonds. Along with an ability to form, maintain, and manipulate bonds, this class allows for the transfer of spells and abilities, extraplanar communication and passive enhancements to Bondweaver and Bonded. As the unique class of the entity named Bondweaver, this class will tailor itself to suit the needs of its user upon selection and over time, ensuring they can continue to achieve extraordinary feats in soulcrafting.
>
> Class Spells: After selection, this class uniquely tailors itself based on the affinities, characteristics, and needs of the Bondweaver.
> Class Title: Progenitor
>
> Rarity: Unique
>
> Rank: Journeyman
>
> Requirements: Unique Accolade: Progenitor
>
> Per Level Bonus: To be decided upon selection
>
> +1 Inherent Affinity: (Aethermancy)
>
> Class Traits: Upon selection, this class uniquely tailors itself based on the affinities and characteristics of the Progenitor.
>
> Description: This unique class is bestowed upon those who have achieved the unique accolade of Progenitor, recognised for their groundbreaking achievements in human evolution and Aethermancy. The Progenitor gains spells and abilities that may enhance either the user or their willing targets, calling upon the wild transformative powers of Aethermancy. As the unique class of the entity named Progenitor, this class will tailor itself to suit the needs of its user upon selection and over time, ensuring continuous advancement and innovation.
>
> Class Spells: After selection, this class uniquely tailors itself based on the affinities, characteristics, and needs of the Progenitor.
“Are you serious?” Freya admonished.
“What? Aren't I right to be a bit underwhelmed? They're all a bit placeholder-y” Ori said
“Why? Because your classes only grant you god-like abilities that solve only some of your problems and not all of them?”
“Really? These classes, apart from the Bondweaver, seem a bit vague and basic.”
“Classes that tailor themselves to the user end up the most powerful in the end. But yes, I can admit that if you seek power and protection now, it may seem underwhelming on the surface. But you should pick all of them eventually,”
“Wait, I’m just going to check what else might be out there.” Ori pulled his attention away from those classes to access the list of compatible ones available to him. After stumbling through a few menus, and using Freya’s advice on filtering based on requirements, Ori found several that he liked, including one he very much wanted to choose.
> Class Title: Realmwalker
>
> Rarity: Legendary
>
> Rank: Journeyman
>
> Requirements: Void Affinity (Immersion)
>
> Per Level Bonus: +10 Perception, +10 Will
>
> Class Traits: Enhances the user's ability to navigate and manipulate the void, providing increased bonuses for interplanar and extraplanar travel. The class passively enhances the user's perception and will, allowing them to detect and interact with planar anomalies and void energies.
>
> If you spot this story on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.
>
> Description: This legendary class is bestowed upon those who have demonstrated exceptional prowess in void walking and extraplanar travel. As a Realmwalker, the user gains the uncommon ability to traverse and manipulate the void, enabling seamless inter and extraplanar travel. The class provides significant enhancements to perception and will, allowing the user to detect and interact with the subtle energies of different planes and negotiate the unseen aspects of the abyss. Realmwalkers are rare and exceptional explorers of Fate, with skills that offer both offensive and defensive capabilities through the manipulation of void energies.
>
> Class Spells: Void Walk, Planar Shift, Dimensional Anchor
“I mean, with this class, couldn’t I just portal my way out of here? Especially now with most of the defences down?”
“No,” Freya said.
“No? What do you mean, no?”
“I understand your desire, but no. It’s the wrong class for you on principle.”
“Why?” Ori argued.
“While I know you wish for power now instead of more power later, this is an Abyssal class, derived from creatures of the Abyssal demiplane. Not only will it unbalance your Harmonic affinities far too much despite meeting the class requirements, but there is also a near certainty, based on records I’ve seen, that you will suffer ego death if you try to progress this class to High.”
“You saying this class is a trap?”
“Based on records from Arcanum Collegium Deo at Vespasian, yes, though some hidden requirement may have been missed by most, before progression to High. Trust me, it is a popular class for members of the Couriers guild, but their members suffer for it. Perhaps, with enough intent, your unique classes could be bent towards fulfilling this desire.”
Ori groaned. “For fuck’s sake.” For a long moment, Ori seriously considered disregarding Freya’s and Thraxis’ advice by choosing the super cool teleportation class that sounded only fifty per cent edgy. There were others, such as the awesome sounding “Storm Warden”, and Freya’s Dreamwalker class which he considered as strong alternatives, but with his Bondweaver, it seemed as if spells gained from his familiars would now count as class spells, which could then be under the influence of Will of the High Human.
While deciding which of the two unique options to pick, Ori reviewed the details of the two normal classes he had already decided upon.
> Class Title: White Magi (of the Chromatic Order)
>
> Rarity: Uncommon
>
> Rank: Journeyman
>
> Requirements: Sponsor or mentor, Light, Life or Order affinity
>
> Per Level Bonus: +6 Wisdom, +6 Will
>
> Class Traits: This class grants +100% increased effectiveness and -50% mana cost to all healing and restoration spells, as well as abilities that mend, cure, dispel, banish, cleanse, and ward.
>
> Description: This uncommon class is bestowed upon those who have demonstrated a commitment to healing and protection, guided by a sponsor or mentor within the Chromatic Order. White Magi specialise in magic that promotes healing, restoration, and protection. Their primary affinities include Light, Life, and Order, with secondary affinities in Healing, Protection, and Restoration. Dedicated to preserving life and empowering allies, White Magi use spells to mend wounds, cure ailments, dispel curses, and ward comrades, while adhering to a stringent moral compass.
>
> The Chromatic Order of Magi is unique to humans as they harness the power of Peritia in league with the Library of Fates instead of deriving power from entities, bloodlines, or lesser sources. By doing so, they must uphold a code specific to their colour—in the case of the White Magi; the primacy of life and order. Each White Magi must voice the oath of their order before apprenticeship, and every journeyman or higher must take an apprentice to advance their class.
>
> Class Spells: Light Orb, Lesser Regeneration, Lesser Cleanse, Lesser Banish, Cure Wounds
> Class Title: Wandsmith
>
> Rarity: Very Rare
>
> Rank: Higher
>
> Requirements: Successfully crafted a High Enchantment, Intelligence > 100
>
> Per Level Bonus: +10 Intelligence, +10 Wisdom, +10 Will
>
> +1 Inherent Affinity: (Wands)
>
> Class Traits: Doubles the effectiveness of wands, foci, and channelling tools. Requires 50% less material for all enchantments and a further 75% reduction in material and mana costs for crafting and enchanting wands, foci, and channelling tools.
>
> Description: The Wandsmith class is a high enchanter specialism dedicated to the intricate art of wandcraft, with a lineage traced back to ancient Silvan craftsmanship. Those who pursue this path must have demonstrated exceptional intelligence and skill in creating high enchantments. Wandsmiths possess unparalleled expertise in crafting wands, from the initial shaping to the final bonding with their user. With roots in elven tradition, Wandsmiths draw upon timeless techniques and natural knowledge to create artefacts of power.
>
> As a Wandsmith, the user gains a passive trait for wand use, along with additional bonuses for creating wands, foci, and channelling implements. This class significantly improves the user’s proficiency in crafting wands and other channelling tools, making them a formidable enchanter capable of producing powerful artefacts at a reasonable cost.
>
> Class Spells: Silvan Whittling, Spirit Lathe, Luminal Etching, Purify Essence, Taurna’dieh
Upon confirming his choice of classes, Ori was astonished to see a vastly expanded spell list far beyond the base skills for each class.
"Rar! Yes, Freya! Look at this!" Ori exclaimed, pumping his fist in excitement.
"Yes, Ori, I can see it. That is an impressive repertoire of compatible skills."
"Any advice? I guess the rarer and more mana-intensive spells are the best ones?"
"More or less, the fewer the words in the spell's name, the more powerful the spell is likely to be. Just note that some light-based spells might clash with void enchantments, such as those on your sword. Also, bear in mind your Spell Constellation; you will only have four core spells."
From the extensive list of available spells, Ori selected several White Magi spells, replacing Lesser Restoration with a new, more powerful variant called Channel Restoration, which to Ori's delight, synergised well with his Cosmic affinity and high regeneration Mana Nexus. In addition to several powerful combat spells that added versatility and diversity to his arsenal, one skill in particular caught Ori's attention. It was called Moonbeam, and its characteristic requirements for wisdom and intelligence were right on the edge of what Ori could manage. However, as it was a channelled spell that scaled off his will rather than intelligence, Ori was keen to see if it was as effective in practice as it seemed on paper.
While he encountered no issues filling gaps in his enchanting repertoire, Ori struggled to find good spells in two sorely needed areas: movement and defence.
"There should be a magical armour skill," Freya mused.
"No, I can't find anything apart from Light Shield," Ori sighed.
"That is a weak shield skill, a poor imitation of Lesser Barrier. It has a negative rank value, meaning it would normally only be effective against attacks from foes below your rank, easily shattering under attacks from awakened spells. Worse, you’ll have to cast it every time you move, unlike an armour skill that provides continuous protection."
Ori shrugged. "I guess I’ll just have to make it work. You said the Spell Constellation system could eventually help me upgrade it?"
"Eventually, though it is rarely as simple as you hope," Freya sighed. "And you're sure there's no movement spell?"
"Yes, none," Ori sighed, even more disappointed with this discovery than the last. "So, the way I see it, I’ll have to hope I get something to cover these gaps from my unique classes. From the Progenitor side, it seems to specialise in Aethermancy, altering people and things?" Ori asked, seeking confirmation despite his uncertainty.
"I know as much about it as you do. None of this is certain," Freya replied.
"Alright, well, the way I see it, that class seems all about augmenting the strengths of others—handy, maybe one day. But it could also make me stand out, in a bad way, and get me in trouble. The Bondweaver also seems like it'll help me strengthen and manage others, specifically my bonds, which means you and Lysara. It with the added benefit of possibly transferring skills. But right now, I need... I need to become the Duælist," Ori said, and as he did so, something within himself shifted, settling into place as if a stone door had closed, forever changing his future.
"Spirits, Ori, sometimes I forget that you're not just a boy, and then something like that happens," Freya shuddered.
Ori felt it too, his Fate affinity informing him of how history turned on this decision as he selected Duælist as his third class.
"I see," Ori murmured, exhaling a breath heavy with the weight of transformation. As if a seed had sprouted within him, fresh leaves unfurling to embrace the sun for the first time, something far more profound than a mere class shift settled into his essence. Instincts that once felt separate now melded and synergised with his very being.
At that moment, Ori drew his first breath as The Duælist, an entity of power far beyond its title. Though it would take time for him to fully assimilate the mantle, he understood enough to know he need not fear the obliteration of his self.
The Duælist was, in many ways, the germination of a self Ori had long kept hidden and sheltered—a self of mastery, where dreams and mind ruled over reality. It was his innermost potential, realised at the zenith of his abilities. It was the self he feared unleashing, the too-perfect use of weapons, the all-too-clever application of violence. It was the blade that, once drawn, could only be sheathed after something or someone met its annihilation. It was creativity's uncanny ability to destroy.
Ori nodded as if finally accepting that intense, competitive, yet pragmatically violent part of himself.
"Are you all right?"
"Yes. It seems this class has latched on to my Astral Affinity, Polydexterity, and Split Mind. And Duælism... well," Ori chuckled, "I think we’ll get along just fine."
"Are you sure you’re all right? You seem different," Freya asked, concern etched on her face.
"Just a bit of inner peace and self-acceptance," Ori said, standing up and stretching.
"Self-acceptance?" Freya frowned.
"Yes, I’m a boy who likes shiny swords and flashing lights, and that’s okay," Ori laughed. Freya rubbed her brow, ever the picture of a long-suffering adviser to an immature child. Ori then selected the three new skills from his updated class.
> Class Title: Duælist
>
> Rarity: Unique
>
> Rank: Journeyman
>
> Requirements: Unique Accolade: Duælist
>
> Per Level Bonus: +5 Polydexterity, +10 Intelligence
>
> +1 Inherent Affinity (Duælism)
>
> Class Traits: Attack as you defend:
>
> * Enhances defence of preexisting auras, arcane and enchanted armour, wards and shields with every successful attack by a value equal to the damage of the attack, overkills overflow shields and barriers.
> * +100% strength of the next attack after every successful defence or restoration. Defence or restoration of allies increases this enhancement to +300%.
>
> Description: This unique class is bestowed upon those who have achieved a unique accolade through duelling opponents of higher rank while dual-wielding two items of the same or different type. As the unique class of the entity named The Duælist, this class will gain additional traits as it tailors itself to suit the needs of its user over time, and as the legend of the Duælist grows.
>
> Class Spells: Duælist’s Weave, Mind over Motion, Mind over Mind
“Titania's tits!?” Freya snapped.
“Titania's tits indeed,” Ori said satisfied with his choice. “And for my final trick,’ Ori said, his smile settling into something solemn. In his mind's eye, he pictured Harriet and Poppy, Lady Seraphine’s earnest desperation before she died in his arms, and Lysara the elemental who he still sought to know. His eyes settled on Freya, the spark that made this all possible. This time he ignored the sensation of fate turning beneath his feet as he became the Bondweaver.
This was, if not an easier transition, then the small, final part of a transformation he had begun all the way back in Lunaesidhe. He possessed a curious mind, a lonely heart, and a greedy soul. This was a fact he had long since resonated with and now he accepted it willingly. He was the lover of beautiful, striving souls, the enabler of those who sought progress, life and growth. He was the weaver of bonds, not of fealty, indenture or sufferance, but connections that could do nothing but enhance, enable and protect those who sought his connection in return.
In contrast to the acceptance of a darker part of his nature, Ori felt joy in acknowledging himself as the Bondweaver.
Instinctively, he removed the pixie from his shoulder to cradle Freya in his palms,
“May I?”
“I don’t like the look in your eyes,” Freya said sceptically,
“I’ll be gentle.”
“Harumph,” Freya said, folding her arms while tilting her head up, her eyes closed. Knowing this to be the closest to consent he’d get from the tough little pixie, Ori kissed her. It was a quick, light peck between his bottom lip and her tiny mouth, yet it was enough to vastly reinforce their bond.
Ori laughed. “There, was that so bad?”
“I fear by picking that class, that we’ve just made a terrible mistake,” Freya said.
“I’ll use it for good, I promise,” Ori said.
“Your mouth says one thing, and your lecherous eyes say another.”
> Class Title: Bondweaver
>
> Rarity: Unique
>
> Rank: Journeyman
>
> Requirements: Unique Accolade: Bondweaver
>
> Per Level Bonus: +4 domain
>
> +1 Inherent Affinity: (Soulcraft)
>
> Class Traits: Invariant Bonds:
>
> * Bonds between Bondweaver and bonded can not be broken by time, distance or any external force.
> * Effects such as Mantle of Battle Harmony, Gaze of Two Minds and Draw Breath are easier to control consciously and are no longer limited by proximity.
> * Rituals of union between the Bondweaver and bonded are easier to perform and provide enhanced results.
> * Once per day, with a minor act of intimacy, a spell, ability, affinity or trait can be transferred regardless of compatibility requirements
> * Spells and abilities exchanged as part of the initial bond become class spells.
>
> Description: This unique class is bestowed upon those who have achieved the unique accolade of Bondweaver, recognised for their unparalleled skill in soul crafting and the weaving of soul bonds. Along with an ability to form, maintain, and manipulate bonds, this class allows for the transfer of spells and abilities, extraplanar communication and passive enhancements to Bondweaver and Bonded. As the unique class of the entity named Bondweaver, this class will tailor itself to suit the needs of its user upon selection and over time, ensuring they can continue to achieve extraordinary feats in soulcrafting.
>
> Class Spells: Whisper, Lesser Recall, Mirror Protection
“What did you pick?” Ori asked.
Freya shrugged. “Wanted to see what all the excitement was about,” she said as she cast a prismatic orb of Cosmic light. Ori laughed.