Seated on the floor, Talax indulged in an expensive-looking bottle of fizzy wine. The liquid rushed down his throat, leaving behind a fiery trail. "Guh!" he exclaimed, hastily wiping his mouth with his hand.
"Are you finished?" Aria's exasperated expression was fixed on him. Her ghostly outline grew hazier by the second, struggling to maintain her form. Nearby, Talax noticed a pretty gem and grabbed it. "Shiny," he remarked, taking another sip of the wine.
"Talax! Quit this foolishness! We have tasks at hand! You need to find a new weapon and search the treasury for anything valuable for your progression!" Talax glared at the elf woman, who was acting as if she didn’t just unload responsibilities that any sane person would find unnerving and daunting.
"Just give me a moment! I think I've earned that much after what you've thrown at me." With a sigh of defeat, the woman turned away to inspect the treasury. Information flooded Talax's mind as she evaluated weapon after weapon, stored unobtrusively in the background, allowing him to savor a brief respite.
It felt strange to possess details about items he hadn't even seen yet, but it was undeniably convenient. Eventually, boredom set in. Talax stowed the wine bottle in his dimensional bag and rose to his feet. He admired his new armor, relishing its snug comfort. The faint squeak of new leather accompanied his movements as he stretched his tired muscles, checking for any lingering wounds after using the health potion.
Approaching Aria, he noticed her form becoming clearer as he neared her. It seemed the ghost couldn't stray far from the amulet; once outside its domain, her cohesion faltered.
He glanced at the rack filled with weapons that Aria was inspecting and blurted out, "What's the deal with these weapons?" His voice came out louder than intended, he realized that the wine was stronger than he'd first assumed.
"They were never meant for battle. They're ceremonial, meant to honor and thank Ha’arun. Some are family heirlooms, but they come with strict restrictions," Aria explained.
Talax surveyed the displayed weapons. Each seemed more extravagant than the last, bedecked with shimmering gems, intricate markings, and luxurious-looking leather. Yet, amidst the pomp, he spotted some intriguing discoveries.
Bladesong Shortsword
Attack:
17-20
Class:
Rare
Type:
Shortsword
Durability:
43/43
Traits:
When drawn from its scabbard, it produces a hauntingly beautiful melody that inspires courage in its wielder and allies.
Requirements:
Swordsmanship skill level 10
With deliberate care, he grasped the hilt and, with a fluid motion, unsheathed the blade. The room seemed to hold its breath as the sword sang a sweet, melodious note, resonating through the air like a finely tuned instrument. The harmonious sound reverberated, sending echoes of enchantment dancing across the vaulted walls. Talax felt a reassuring touch enter his core, it was as if the weapon itself wrapped him in a protective embrace, whispering words of encouragement that only he could hear.
Gazing upon the sword in awe, he marveled at its craftsmanship. The double-edged blade gleamed wickedly in the low light, its edges so sharp they seemed like they could cut the air. Its simple silver hilt bore a cross guard that gracefully curved, adding a touch of sophistication to its otherwise unassuming appearance. Though it seemed plain at first glance, its power was nothing short of astonishing.
Aria, her ghostly presence lingering nearby, couldn't help but comment, "That is a weapon that could be of great use to you, Talax. You should take it. "Talax nodded in agreement, reluctantly returning the sword to its scabbard and carefully securing it inside his bag.
As he turned to Aria, she pointed towards a black sword with her translucent, ghostly hand. “This is the one for you.”
Galewind Shortsword
Attack:
13-16
Class:
Uncommon
Type:
Shortsword
Durability:
38/38
Traits:
When swung it produces a burst of wind, granting a slight increase in attack speed for a few moments.
Talax's curiosity got the better of him, and he reached for the sword. With a graceful pull, he unsheathed it and marveled at the dark metal that composed its blade. At the edges, the black seemed to have bled away, leaving the blade's edge looking almost transparent, like a shard of delicate glass. The hilt, encased in supple leather, felt comfortably snug in his grip, as if it had been made for his hand alone.
Talax swung the black blade through the air a few times, testing its weight and balance. Each movement produced a soft, almost musical whoosh, a sound that felt like a silent promise. With each practiced motion, he grew more and more at ease with his new companion.
Satisfied with his newfound connection to the sword, he carefully secured it on his belt, its presence now a comforting weight at his side.
With the prized black sword in place, he turned his attention to the remaining weapons within the treasury. He collected them all, from the formidable to the decorative. Even the ceremonial blades, which were little more than exquisite trinkets, found their way into his bag. One could never be too sure when such items might come in handy.
Among the array of weapons, two swords stood out, catching his eye. However, their requirements for use were so outlandish that he doubted he could wield them anytime soon. Nonetheless, he recognized their potential value and decided to keep them for a rainy day.
One blade, however, found a special place on his belt. It was an elegant dagger with a beautifully ornate hilt. At the pommel, an opal gem sparkled, its iridescent allure drawing him in. He was only left with his butter knife and his necrotic dagger. He looked at the humble butter knife that had accompanied him on his journey and had saved his life countless times and with a touch of sentiment, he decided it was time to retire it. Carefully, he placed the old companion inside his bag, unwilling to part with it entirely. In its place, he slipped the new ornate dagger.
Serpentstrike Dagger
Attack:
9-11
Class:
Uncommon
Type:
Dagger
Durability:
26/26
Traits:
20% to accuracy
10% to precision
After he was finished with the weapons he decided to cram as much wealth as he could inside his bag. He started pouring coins like a glittering waterfall inside his bag, the sound of metal music to his ears. He had difficulty comprehending the wealth he had stumbled upon, it just felt so surreal.
"Aria?" Talax addressed the elf woman, who had returned to the amulet. "Does this mean I'm rich now?" His hands overflowed with gold candlesticks, vases, and assorted trinkets he couldn't even name.
He caught the woman's bored tone. "Yes, Talax, you're rich! You're plundering Ha’arun’s treasure vault, amassed painstakingly over decades!" A note of bitterness tinged her voice as he attempted to stuff the crater with healing potions into his satchel. "It's not stealing if there's no owner! Finders, keepers!" he retorted, counting the 23 bottles of red liquid left after healing his wounds. Beneath the crater lay another, filled with blue vials of mana potions. With a satisfied chuckle, he added them to his inventory.
This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.
He continued with his relentless accumulation of wealth with single minded focus, while Aria was sniping at him over the smallest things, telling him every so often how valuable or how sacred an item was. To Talax everything looked expensive and a way to grow his wealth. His satchel had grown heavier with every new addition, and he realized that soon he would be out of space! The seemingly endless expanse of the interior of his bag had limits after all.
He walked back into the line of cubbies and now with the help of Aria he wanted to find out why he was unable to learn the new spells. But when he used his analyze skill, all he got was “Spell Tome,” He did, however, find out that he needed to reach level 5 on his shadow magic and 10 in his death magic in order to learn the spells. When he asked the high priestess about it, she informed him that, certain spells, just like abilities had requirements.
Disappointed, he stowed the magical tomes inside his bag and went to investigate the rest of the items, that appeared to have been placed strategically, in order to separate them from the rest of the items within the room.
He checked the crystal he had stumbled upon earlier and used analyze.
Mana Heart
Class:
Epic
Durability:
10/10
Traits:
Once consumed, it doubles the maximum mana points permanently.
Talax observed the small crystal, shaped like an actual heart and emitting a soft, enchanting glow.
“Aria, using this item, will it expand my mana pool?” He gazed, captivated by the gentle blue light. “Yes, but I'd advise holding off. The mana heart doubles your mana points regardless of your level. It'd be a waste now while your level is still so low.” She cautioned.
Talax hummed in agreement, but a thought struck him. “If I use it, could I access the void ball spell?” If there was a chance to finally inlock his void magic, he would use the item no matter what, it wouldn't be wise but...
“I can't be certain... I don’t know if your lack of mana is the sole obstacle for the spell,” Aria replied. Talax stowed the mana heart in his bag and moved to the next item. He opened the small wooden box, and the small item inside gave no hint of magic or mana. Confused, Talax frowned, it looked like a small chip of crystal, something that once belonged to something greater but now it was reduced to insignificance.
He used his analyze ability and he heard a shocked intake of breath from Aria.
Celestial Seed
Class:
Mythic
Durability:
1/1
Traits:
Once planted and nourished with pure magic and starlight, the seed can sprout into a celestial tree offering a glimpse of distant stars.
“Talax…” Aria's voice trembled. “Do you grasp the significance of this finding? I doubt there's another seed like this on Helios! How did it end up here? I don’t recall Ha’arun ever receiving such a precious item... Perhaps it came after my time…”
Talax read and reread the description, but it offered him little help. “What good can it do to me? I am not planning on taking up gardening!” Aria scoffed. “You're foolish! Power doesn't always come in the shape of weapons and armor! Possessing a celestial tree... The opportunities it could provide…” Her voice took on a dreamy quality, envisioning the possibilities the seed might offer.
“Still, right now it’s not helpful at all!” A peculiar sound, like the grinding of teeth, echoed in his mind. “Not now, Talax, but in the future... It could grant you something even the Gods would envy.”
Talax didn’t like the sound of that. To have one more thing that would attract the attention of the Gods was not something he particularly wanted. Nonetheless, he closed the lid of the small box and placed it carefully inside his bag.
Moving on, he discovered two more items. An aged parchment with a complex diagram and a sea of incomprehensible scribbles, and a dust-laden glass case, that he had trouble seeing what held inside. He wiped the dust away and he saw a roll of yellowed paper. He wanted to open the case, but the glass felt so fragile that he feared it might shatter at the faintest touch. He checked both items and two windows popped into his vision.
Scroll of Summoning: Minor Ember Demon
Class:
Legendary
Durability:
2/17
Traits:
When activated, the parchment ignites in a brief burst of flames, summoning a Minor Ember Demon. This demon is bound to serve the summoner for a limited time.
Schematic: Nightbringer Longsword
Class:
Uncommon
Durability:
6/12
Traits:
This detailed blueprint outlines the creation of the Nightbringer Longsword, a weapon infused with +5 Dark Magic. It also allows for a 5% faster advancement in swordsmanship skill.
"Okay," he murmured. Both items intrigued him, especially the summoning scroll. He had no idea about the schematic's use, but the described sword sounded impressive. The added bonus in damage was good enough, but the second trait was what blew him away! A sword that could hasten skill training by 5% sounded invaluable. It might seem like a small percentage, but having experienced the difficulty of leveling up a skill, he now understood the value of such a sword.
Shaking his head in bewilderment, he turned to the last item since Aria stayed silent. There, he found a book, and his heart raced, he had discovered another spell book! His excitement faded as he picked up the book, replaced by confusion.
Skill Book: Arcane Architectonics
Class:
Rare
Durability:
22/25
Traits:
Once activated, it imparts knowledge about the creation of magical buildings. It bestows expertise in designing and crafting structures that harness and amplify mystical energies.
"What?" Talax turned the book around, searching for something. He didn’t know precisely what he was looking for, just hoping for some clarity. "Aria? What is this?" He inquired when he got no more information.
"That is peculiar..." The ghost's troubled tone hung in the air. "The latest items are... quite unique. It’s as if..." She stopped abruptly, leaving Talax impatiently waiting. "Well?" he demanded.
"It’s a skill book. They're incredibly rare, even scarcer than spell books. This one, in particular, holds a skill coveted by many rulers. Actually I’ve never heard of it before. There’s the architecture, engineering, and design skill, but this seems more extraordinary and specialized. Architects usually design blueprints for buildings to be imbued with magical properties, but to achieve this, the architect or engineer needs a high-level profession and skill set. However, with this skill book, you bypass all these prerequisites. It’s truly remarkable!"
Talax looked impressed at the thick book before asking, "So, should I learn the skill?" He had already planned to do so, unwilling to let a skill slip away, regardless of how peculiar it sounded. Yet, he still sought Aria’s opinion.
"Absolutely, you should! But not immediately. Skill books don’t function like spell tomes; absorbing the knowledge could take hours or even days, depending on the skill level the book offers." As Talax was about to connect with the skill book, Aria’s words hit him, freezing him in place.
"Days?" He exclaimed incredulously. "Yes, skill books don’t merely impart knowledge but also grant levels, depending on the author’s level. You could gain one level or even 50! It’s uncertain until the process concludes."
His eyes widened as he glanced at the unadorned cover of the skill book. “So, I will be able to design buildings? Well, if I don’t die in here, I will maybe have a new way of earning money instead of killing beasts and undead.” Aria scoffed reminding him where they were.
"With all those coins you took, you won’t need to work. Rest assured!" Talax growled in frustration. "I've told you! I didn't steal! I was merely cleaning and organizing!"
He heard a scoff in his mind, but Aria didn't comment further. Scanning for more loot, he noticed the two doors once more. "Aria, where do those doors lead?" he inquired.
"One to a separate chamber and the other back to the main temple," she replied. He exhaled in relief. In the back of his mind there had been a small doubt that he would be trapped inside the treasury forever. Having the confirmation that there was a way out made him feel lighter.
"What's in the separate room?" The high priestess stayed silent for long moments, piquing his curiosity. "Aria?" he prompted. Reluctantly, she responded after a pause with an unwilling tone.
"Ha’arun’s greatest treasure. An achievement after years of hard work and experimentation." Her cryptic words spurred him forward. Ignoring the remaining loot, he crossed the treasury in an instant.
"And what would that be, Aria?" he asked, unable to contain his curiosity even as his hand reached for the door.
"The manifestation of the four elements," she declared proudly as he stepped into a shadowy room. Torches flared up, illuminating the small chamber.
"Death, Life, Light, and Dark," the high priestess continued. Talax noticed a small pedestal at the room's center, where a small, golden ring floated above an intricate symbol representing the four powers.
"United to create a Godtouched artifact," she explained. Talax approached the small ring, his eyes sparkling as he beheld its intricate design. The gold band bore flowing lines and symbols, culminating in the symbol of the God, the symbol of the four elements.
“An artifact that grants the wearer a second chance at life.” She intoned with gravity and Talax realized what the ring could do.
Godforged Ring of the Second Chance
Class:
Godtouched Relic
Durability:
900/900
Traits:
Grants its wearer the extraordinary ability to return to life after death. It is a symbol of the favor and protection of the God Ha’arun, a beacon of hope in the face of mortality.
“Ha’arun’s most heartfelt desire made real!” Her tone had become almost feverish in her praise of the God. Talax couldn’t fault her, just looking at the ring he could feel how unique the item was.
“All those rings you saw outside that you so carelessly thought of as an abomination and blamed Ha’arun for his practices, were for this. All for this! For a second chance!”
Aria was talking like a zealot, her voice filled with reverence for her God. She believed this ring was Ha'arun's most heartfelt desire realized. For her, it represented a means of redemption, a way to honor the sacrifices made in the name of faith. Talax, however, couldn't help but see the darker side of the story. What her God had done was atrocious, he had trapped the souls of his worshipers so that he could experiment and ultimately create this ring. But not always the means justify the ends. For this single ring who knew how many had to give up their souls?
Still, he couldn’t deny the ring’s power, it was a way to defy death. It was a symbol of hope, a lifeline to the one who would wear it. The ring seemed to beckon him, urging him to grab it and own it.
Talax finally made his decision. With a solemn expression, he stepped closer to the hovering ring and reached out to grasp it. Suddenly Aria’s panicked voice sounded inside his head.
“No! Talax! Wait!” But it was already too late. His hand touched the ring and the world seemed to break.