His eyelids fluttered open, revealing a starlit sky above. Two beautiful moons bathed the dark forest in their warm light, prompting a smile to tug at his lips. It felt comforting to marvel at the open expanse above, having been buried beneath the earth for so long.
However, the smile waned as exhaustion settled in, weighing on his bones and making his eyes heavy. Before he could respond to an urgent murmur that reached his ears, sleep pulled him back.
The next time he awoke, cheerful bird chirps greeted him. Weakness lingered, but he felt notably better. For a moment, his mind struggled to grasp why he felt this way, but then memories flooded back like a rushing river. Sitting up, the world spun around him momentarily.
He blinked repeatedly until clarity returned. Nearby, Qalo sat half-awake on a rock, holding a blood-drenched hammer. Scratches and bruises covered his body, yet upon seeing Talax awake, relief spread across his tired face.
"What happened to you?" Talax asked, his voice hoarse. Qalo chuckled. "What happened to ME? The real question is who attacked YOU!"
Talax blinked in confusion, then remembered Vesperine. His hand instinctively rose to his neck, tracing a thin, raised line. "I can't believe she tried to kill me!" His voice sounded hoarse from the ordeal, a slight burning sensation in his throat serving as a reminder of Vesperine's actions.
"Who did, Talax?" Qalo demanded, rising to his feet, his hands gripping the hammer's hilt so tightly that his knuckles whitened. "Vesperine," Talax replied with a defeated sigh.
Qalo looked at him, baffled. "I thought that lady liked you." Talax shook his head in equal perplexity. "Apparently not. She's an assassin, after all. Wait..." Why wasn't he dead? If Vesperine truly intended to kill him, he should have met the God of death by now. He was certain the masked woman possessed endless ways to end his life. He hadn't even considered defending himself; her sudden attack had caught him off guard, never expecting the woman who had stood by him in the dungeon to turn against him. Although he should have, she belonged to a mysterious order that trained killers and spies...
"But if she didn’t want to kill him, then why had she attacked him? She had sounded remorseful for what she was about to do. Maybe she changed her mind at the last moment? Ugh! It was so confusing! Why couldn’t everyone reveal their secrets and hidden agendas?"
"What’s wrong?" Qalo asked, worried. "Are you in pain?" Talax shook his head, then stood up after a moment. He glanced down at his armor, half-expecting a mess of blood, but it was spotless. "Did you clean my armor?" he asked the half-orc.
Qalo rolled his eyes. "Yes, Talax. Between fighting off the wild beasts that tried to make us their dinner and keeping you alive, I managed to find some time to clean your armor, your excellency!" Talax chuckled at the man’s disbelief and shook his head.
"So, that’s why you look like hell." Qalo chuckled in agreement but then turned serious. "I thought you wouldn’t make it. I had no health potions left, and when I tried to search through that new, shiny bag of yours, I couldn’t find anything. Fortunately, Edward still had some potions, and they saved your life." He took a deep breath, his troubled eyes clearing. "It was tough at first; the wound didn’t seem to want to close, but eventually, the potions did their job."
Talax nodded, murmuring his thanks. "If it’s okay with you, I will cook us some food. I wasn’t able to eat anything for... I don’t even remember how long!" Qalo exclaimed incredulously, and Talax’s laughter faded when he registered what Qalo had said.
"You're going to cook?" He asked skeptically, well aware of the half-orc's unusual tastes. Qalo scoffed and waved his hand dismissively. "Don’t worry, I've got the skill for it!"
Talax frowned, remembering his previous experiences with Qalo's cooking. "You have the cooking skill?" he questioned doubtfully. "Even better! I have the unconventional cooking skill!" The half-orc beamed, making his small tusks more pronounced.
"That’s…" Talax searched for the right word, "reassuring." Qalo nodded contentedly, bustling around to prepare the meal. "You should relax while I cook." Talax nodded and silently added, 'Preferably somewhere far away.'
He sought solace under a nearby tree's protective shadow. Feeling much better, he addressed Aria. "Aria?" For a moment, worry gripped him, but then the high priestess’s frustrated voice echoed in his mind.
"What was that bitch’s problem?" Her furious tone made Talax smile. "I don’t know. I thought we had reached an understanding, not exactly friends, but not enemies either." Aria made a peculiar sound. "I feel like I know her from somewhere. Not her specifically, but her clothes remind me of something. I just can’t put my finger on it. It's frustrating!"
Talax empathized with her frustration; missing memories had been a recurring issue for him. "She belongs to an order of assassins and thieves, founded by a Goddess called the Smiling Lady," he supplied, hoping to trigger Aria's memory. "Hmm, I’ve never heard of her. Maybe she's a new Goddess?" she pondered uncertainly. "I have no idea," Talax murmured aloud, momentarily forgetting Qalo was nearby.
Qalo looked up from the pit he had dug, worry etched on his face. Talax flashed a reassuring smile, attempting to avoid sounding like a lunatic. "I yelled at you, but she used a pretty strong neurotoxin on you, and you were out cold in seconds. Thankfully, the poison wasn’t lethal but caused extreme fatigue and slowed down your heart rate." Talax frowned at her words.
"So, she didn’t mean to kill me after all. But why did she attack me?" He mused, more to himself than expecting an answer from the fragmented memory. "How should I know? Maybe you spurned her affection," Aria proposed. Talax considered her suggestion as a real possibility, since Vesperine wasn’t the most stable individual, but dismissed it after a while.
He sighed in defeat. "I guess we'll never know." Aria agreed, then cheerfully changed the topic. "Now, do you want to know the gains from your battle? You had several skills level up!"
Talax hummed in excitement. "Absolutely!" He couldn’t wait to see how the intense battle had affected his skills. His memories of the fight were hazy, filled with anxiety, fear, but also something else, a newfound confidence and determination. He had utilized every weapon in his arsenal, spells, poison, and even his void magic. He felt he had done pretty well, managing to defeat the Deathbound, so many skeletons he couldn’t even count and in the end, he had killed Edward.
The fight had been uneven from the beginning, Edward dominating the battle the moment Talax had taken his first swing. But his clever thinking, Tycho’s blessing of luck and some preparation had helped him to leave the dungeon alive and well, while Edward was buried beneath a mountain.
"Aria, I'm curious. What do you think I need to work on the most after seeing me fight?" He sought her opinion, knowing he had the ghost of a formidable caster inside his head, a wealth of knowledge and expertise he'd be foolish not to use.
"Well, your attributes give you an edge over most opponents, but your skills are still at too low a level. Your inexperience shows in everything you do, from your sword swings to your spellcasting. You consistently cast spells from too far away, weakening their impact. And let's not even begin about how dangerously you managed your mana. Most mages pace their casting to avoid overtaxing their pathways and to replenish their mana pool. What you did during the battle was risky; you were on the brink. Pushing any further, and you would have fainted, left unconscious among those creatures." Talax absorbed her critique, knowing he had dangerously danced along the line. At that moment, his sole focus had been reaching Ferdinand. His understanding of magic was still shallow; he cast spells without considering mana usage or their effective range.
"At this point, all you can do is train. You've been given the tools to become formidable, but now you need to refine them. Luckily, you'll get the chance soon. The cloud monasteries serve as training grounds for young adventurers. They house master trainers in various specialties who can guide and nurture those in need."
Talax considered it fortunate. "Why are we heading there, exactly? Is there a family member at the cloud monasteries?"
"No, in my time, the cloud monasteries were renowned for their shamans. Divination and tracking spells are rare, usually granted by Gods. The monasteries had several skilled shamans capable of locating anything. I hope that tradition persists, and we can find someone to help us."
A pungent aroma wafted as Qalo cooked their meal. Talax averted his eyes, opting not to see the ingredients the half-orc used; some things were better left unknown.
"I thought you could sense your descendants?" Talax recalled her mentioning a tracking spell that allowed her to sense family members.
"Unfortunately, I can only sense their presence, not their exact location. I'm unsure if that's due to my current state or the spell's weakened effects. Regardless, a shaman is our best chance at finding my family." They lapsed into silence for a few moments before Talax spoke up.
"Alright, let's check out what skills have leveled up!" He exclaimed with the same sense of excitement he felt every time a new skill revealed more abilities.
Congratulations! Your evasion skill has reached level 8!
Congratulations! Your athletics skill has reached level 12!
Congratulations! Your athletics skill has reached level 13!
Congratulations! Your short blades skill has reached level 6!
Congratulations! Your short blades skill has reached level 7!
Congratulations! Your dual wielding skill has reached level 3!
Congratulations! Your light armor skill has reached level 2!
...
Congratulations! Your light armor skill has reached level 5!
Congratulations! Your swordsmanship skill has reached level 9!
Congratulations! Your swordsmanship skill has reached level 10!
Congratulations! Your ice magic has reached level 2!
Talax absorbed Aria's voice, brimming with enthusiasm as if she were reciting a grocery list, yet all he could think was, "I did it! I did it!" His excitement surged, propelling him to spring to his feet, raising a fist into the air with a loud, "Yeah, baby!"
Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.
A swift "Shh!" from Qalo immediately followed, the half-orc glancing up from the unpleasant-looking soup, holding a hefty ladle. "What are you doing?" he demanded. Talax grinned sheepishly, settling back down. "Sorry, got a bit carried away. Just reached level 10 in my swordsmanship skill!"
Qalo appeared uninterested, muttering a simple "good for you" as if it wasn’t the best thing he had ever heard and turned back to his soup. Talax frowned and retorted with a dismissive, "whatever," then turned back to Aria eagerly. "Tell me about the new abilities! Tell me, tell me!" Aria chuckled before obliging.
Ethereal Slash: Project a semi-transparent wave of mana with a sword swing, capable of passing through physical defenses to strike ethereal or spectral foes.
Active, Duration: single hit, Cooldown: 7 seconds
Mana Blade (I): Infuse the sword with a thin layer of mana, amplifying its cutting power and allowing it to momentarily disrupt magical barriers.
Active, Duration: n/a, Cooldown: 20 seconds
Precision Strikes: Improved accuracy and precision in sword swings, increasing the likelihood of hitting specific weak points or vital areas.
Passive
Dual Strike: Execute a rapid sequence of two strikes in quick succession, increasing damage output during short windows of opportunity.
Active, Duration: single hit, Cooldown: 30 seconds
Whirlwind: Perform a spinning attack, striking multiple opponents within range with a single swift rotation.
Active, Duration: single hit, Cooldown: 3 minutes
"Oh, oh, oh!" Talax crooned, clapping his hands. "That's what I'm talking about!" Finally, the abilities he'd been seeking were in his grasp! Each one seemed better than the last. Whirlwind sounded incredible, finally, an attack that could take on multiple opponents. Then there was Ethereal Strike, that also worked against multiple enemies, with the added bonus of sounding and probably looking way cooler than the Whirlwind ability.
Mana Blade seemed more mundane, simply adding attack damage. It could be useful, but considering the numerous abilities and spells at his disposal, every bit of mana spent meant sacrificing another ability. And against the usefulness of Spectral Guardian or Fog of Mystica, using Mana Blade didn't seem likely.
Precision Strikes was already off the table. He already possessed several passive abilities boosting his attack and defense stats. Dual Strike was intriguing, potentially lethal in battle against a single, formidable enemy, but not his primary pick.
"Aria, how many tokens do I have?" Talax asked promptly.
"You have 5 tokens remaining," came the immediate response.
"Oh," he murmured, considering his options. Technically, he didn't have to choose, he could unlock all the new abilities and sidestep a tough decision. He typically liked to reserve one token for emergencies, but his swordsmanship skill was crucial for survival.
"Aria, I'd like to unlock all five abilities," Talax announced to the high priestess. She seemed somewhat puzzled in her response.
"Before you make a decision, wouldn't you want me to tell you about the remaining abilities?" she inquired.
"I have more abilities to unlock?" he asked, surprised. “Yes, you reached level 5 on your light armor skill tree.” The news about reaching level 10 in swordsmanship had overwhelmed him, causing everything else to fade into the background.
"Cool! Let's hear about the new abilities!" Talax eagerly prompted.
Basic Protection: Increased agility and mobility by 5% without sacrificing defense.
Passive
Lightfooted: Improved sneaking and reduced noise while moving.
Passive
Enhanced Durability: Light armor becomes more resilient by 10% without sacrificing its lightweight nature.
Passive
Reactive Plating: Activate a mana-charged layer on the armor that temporarily hardens upon impact, reducing incoming damage for a short period.
Active, Duration: 3 minutes, Cooldown: 6 minutes
"Well, that was disappointing," Talax murmured, disheartened. Except for the last ability, the rest felt generic, variations found in almost every skill tree.
"No, it's not, Talax. Those skills you dismiss casually are essential steps for your progression. You can't just pick abilities that sound flashy; you need to build your foundation. You're lacking in that department. Others your age had years to train and develop their fighting style. You don't have a choice but to catch up," the wise ghost advised.
Talax felt his excitement escape him, like steam from a tea kettle. Feeling somewhat deflated himself, he responded somewhat petulantly, "Fine, what's your advice?" Aria seemed amused by his childish reaction.
"If you'd like, I could choose the best abilities suited for your path," she suggested. Though he knew he might not like the selection, Talax agreed, trusting Aria's expertise. "Okay, but I want to keep one token," he stipulated.
"Very well. I believe Whirlwind and Precision Strikes are the best options from the swordsmanship skill. Whirlwind offers an effective attack against groups of enemies, which you've noticed is lacking. Precision Strikes may seem simple, but it subtly adjusts your sword's trajectory for maximum damage passively. From the light armor skill, I recommend Basic Protection and Enhanced Durability. As you now possess impressive light armor, focusing on maintaining and enhancing its uses is crucial."
Talax made a gagging sound at the light armor choices. Aria chided, "Don't act like a child, Talax. Those are your best options for now. Besides, you'll level up soon and gain more tokens."
After some consideration, he conceded but made one change. "I agree with all but one ability. Instead of Enhanced Durability, I'll unlock Ethereal Slash. I need an ability effective against incorporeal creatures. In the dungeon, my sword and arrows were almost useless against spirits and ghosts unless I used mana."
Aria listened and seemed to ponder. "Okay, I'm uncertain how often you'll encounter spirits now that you've left the dungeon. However, it would be advantageous to have another ability affecting large groups of enemies. While its effect is inferior to Whirlwind, it can injure ethereal creatures and those with high defense. So, may I unlock the chosen abilities?" Aria asked impatiently.
“Yes, go ahead.”
Congratulations! You have unlocked the ability Whirlwind!
Congratulations! You have unlocked the ability Precision Strikes!
Congratulations! You have unlocked the ability Ethereal Slash!
Congratulations! You have unlocked the ability Basic Protection!
Talax peered into his core, witnessing the miniature trees within transforming into stunning constructs, sprouting new branches teeming with mana. His core evolved into a small universe, brimming with life and beauty, an array of magical planets, stars twinkling in a sea of mana, and a blossoming forest growing with every new skill acquired.
"You have 16 points to distribute among your attributes. Would you like to allocate them now?" Aria prompted. Talax shrugged, knowing he had some time until Qalo finished cooking. "Sure. I think the dungeon battle revealed that I need mana, lots of it. Let's allocate 6 points to intelligence. The rest can be split between constitution and dexterity. What do you think?"
Aria hummed, seemingly checking his attributes before affirming, "Yes, that sounds good. Although I would've added at least 1 point in willpower. You need it for your spells to be more effective."
"You know best. So, to summarize: 6 points to intelligence, 5 to constitution, 4 to dexterity, and 1 to willpower." As the points were allocated, Talax experienced a multitude of sensations rippling across his body and core. His entire being seemed to contract and twitch, adjusting to the new changes. Muscles bulged and relaxed; his core expanded to accommodate the influx of mana, now a deeper shade of blue. When the sensations subsided, he opened his character sheet and marveled at the transformations.
Name: Talax
Health points:285/290
Mana: 688/688
Level: 16
Race: Human (Voidborn)
Age: 25
Profession: None
Class: None
Humans stand out as the most populous and adaptable race. While some races may possess inherent magical abilities, superior strength, or extraordinary longevity, humans rely on their inherent versatility to navigate the diverse landscapes and challenges of Helios. Their broad affinities and capacity for learning quickly have allowed them to thrive in nearly any environment or occupation.
Skills:
Scribing
Level: 3
Persuasion
Level: 3
Interrogation
Level: 4
Brawling
Level: 4
Mystic Insight
Level: 4
Mana Manipulation
Level: 2
Herbalism
Level: 2
Athletics
Level: 13
Evasion
Level: 8
Natural Defense
Level: 9
Light Armor
Level: 5
Dual Wielding
Level: 3
Short Blades
Level: 5
Swordsmanship
Level: 10
Archery
Level: 9
Traps
Level: 5
Tracking
Level: 4
Stealth
Level: 6
Attributes: +5 per level (+3 Voidborn)
Strength: 25
Constitution: 29
Dexterity: 29
Willpower: 22
Intelligence: 37
Charisma: 23
Elemental Magic:
Void Magic
Level: 1
Water Magic
Level: 6
Earth magic
Level: 3
Ice Magic
Level: 2
Lightning Magic
Level: 1
Dark Magic
Level: 1
Death Magic
Level: 1
Shadow Magic
Level: 1
Patron: None
Blessings: None
Wreaths:
Voidborn
Lion-hearted
Mental Aigis
Silver-tongued
Slayer of Behemoths
Soul-bonded
A smile played on his lips; progress was evident. Each battle was sculpting him into a stronger individual. The dungeon, especially, had been a crucible for his development. He had faced beasts, spirits, skeletons, and even other humans. His amassed wealth could make kings envious, and he had finally secured some decent equipment that didn't disintegrate after the first attack. Most importantly, he had acquired some incredible spells.
"The food is ready!" Qalo's excited holler cut through the air, accompanied by drool dripping from his open mouth. Talax grimaced, realizing the inevitable had arrived. It was time to eat...