"Ahhh, Gildarts!? You've brought a.. what exactly am i staring at? I barely sense any Aura from it at all." As Vincent and his burley acquaintance made their way into the dark cavern a figure called out from his place near an unlit forge in the back of the area.
This particular cave was easily ten times the size of Vincent's own. It was more like a blacksmiths quarry built into the side of the mountain. There were tools and constructs Vincent didn't recognize as well as many he did. The lighting was inadequate to say the least, with extremely strange torches spread out seemingly at random.
They had wooden bases like the typical torch from an elder scrolls game but where one would expect a flame at the top was instead an extremely bright ball of green light with strange symbols orbiting the light that reminded Vincent strikingly of the symbols in his cave. Vincent couldn't make out the features of the creature slowly gliding towards them but it was large.
Vincent wasn't quite sure what he had expected. Some type of horribly disfigured monster or something. As it approached however, it became clear that the thing was definitely humanoid. Most of it's features were indistinguishable due to the grey cloak covering most of the thing's body, but he was pretty sure it was an Orc by the few rugged features he could see and the sound of his voice. The association with Gildarts was also an indicator.
It was clear this being was severely crippled. One of his legs seemed to drag behind him in his slow lumbering limp. As a bit of light fell across the thing Vincent finally caught a glimpse of him at last. He was a hideously scarred Orc that had to have been at least twice the age of Gildarts. Long white hair covered over half of the aged Orc's face. It's nose, what was left of it, was scabbed and warty. It's skin was indeed green like Gildarts's yet it was grayed and less vibrant.
He stopped just out of arm's reach of Vincent and Gildarts, drawing up to his full height. The Orc was much larger than Vincent but was still several inches shorter than Gildarts. Vincent was sure if the two came to blow's Gildarts would crumple the old man with one swing.
"It has been a long time. Has something happeneeeeed to the Orcs?" The ancient man asked in concern. He couldn't quite fathom why one of the most promising warriors of the current generation would waste time paying a visit to a mere outcast during such busy times unless he brought tidings of misfortune.
Gildarts shook his head, crossing his tree-trunk arms. "Be at ease. The kingdom thrives. The ascension ceremony is not set to take place for another seven years."
The much older Orc, snorted. A fire seemed to have been lit within him "You think I don't know when the next ascension is? Bah, I Zar-Rhah, know better than anyone.. but the king will not bow so easily. Old though he may be, his strength has not diminished even the slightest."
Gildarts nodded in consent. "Indeed. And I would have it no other way. I will defeat the King when he is at the peak of his might. Only then can I truly become the next King of Orcs and lead our people to further prosperity."
"Hmm.. still certain you will be the winner eh? You have seen the competition.. his power grows by the day." The man boasted. Gildarts merely nodded. "I'm aware of this. Though.. I'm surprised you are."
As the conversation unfolded Vincent listened intently. Gildarts made it clear that Vincent had no business delving into Orc affairs... That didn't mean he couldn't listen when those very affairs were conversed about within his presence. The ascension ceremony was obviously some contest or fight, possibly to the death to determine the next king.
The ancient Orc Zar-Rhah nodded and shrugged before saying, "I keep tabs on him through the mystic arts." Turning his attention to the much smaller human, he raised a brow. "What is the meaning of hunting with this.. creature.. you know Orc does not suffer the weak. To do so is weakness itself and dishonorable. Do you shame Orc kind with the presence of this.. pet?" He quizzed out from under his cloak.
Gildarts chuckled. "I did not bring him here. I was merely passing through the jungle when this.. 'human' began to follow me. I thought it peculiar that I could not read its stats even though I could sense it was pathetically weak." Vincent frowned at this of course. The Orc continued seemingly not noticing or not caring about his protest.
"I decided to let it live since it was such a unique creature. I made to leave but it began to follow me-" He was interrupted by his elder. "Nonsense. You expect me to believe that this.. boy kept up with you? And you didn't merely walk? He can't have even reached level 25 yet. His soulspace, enlarged as it may be, hasn't evolved not once." He quipped.
Vincent had a million questions at that moment but wisely remained silent for now. The system had spoken of the Soulspace before but this Zar-Rhah somehow seemed to have extensive knowledge about it and how it relates to levels. He needed to learn more.
Gildarts huffed. "Your fancy Warlock terms mean nothing to a warrior like me. Very few masters of the mystic arts remain in Orc kind today.. it is a dying way. But I swear on my honor as an Orc that though I did not run at my fastest.. I put forth true effort into evading him."
Zar-Rhah regarded the duo warily. "Right.. a likely story. But I know you are a man of your honor Gil.." He mumbled as he turned to regard Vincent. "Come hither young man." He beckoned with one arm. The man's arm was unnaturally thin for an Orc's but still extremely toned and veiny. Vincent stepped a bit closer and the experienced Orc squinted in focus. His one visible eye was a dull amber.
"What level are you?.. it is truly strange.. even I cannot comprehend the complex energy around you. And though it reveals nothing of your true nature or power... You have an Aura, insubstantial as it may be, therefore… Yesss you have a soul. You are clearly no monster nor a system construct…"
The being tapped his chin and examined him as if he were a scientist's experiment under a microscope. He was honestly beginning to get a little uncomfortable at the acute observations so he answered as best he could to get this weird scrutinization over with.
"I'm level one.. I have multiple skills that allow me to alter my energy flow to a degree in order to be more efficient. The system doesn't seem to be a fan of that kind of stuff though. The soulspace.. the system's mentioned it as well. It's what Auras are made of, right?"
Zar-Rhah chuckled in amusement. "Quite the curious one aren't you.. and extraordinarily talented as well it would seem.. Very few beings can claim to have the ability to subvert the system's authority.. and it hasn't destroyed you yet.. curious indeed. To answer your question.. That is a very, very basic understanding of the Soulspace but yes.. it produces and houses the very same energy that comprises Auras, and subsequently skills. You may know it as Nectar.." He said, causing Vincent to gasp. The old man continued.
"Only through our Aura can we achieve our greatest feats of strength. There are many ways to grow one's Aura but the quickest by far is to level up. In my studies I have found that when you kill another being of the Nexus.. you absorb a piece of its Soulspace unto your own. In a way you are absorbing the creature's knowledge and purpose in life. That is the essence of experience."
Vincent suddenly felt a little queasy. He knew the way the system functioned, pitting sentient beings against one another and forcing them to fight for survival was vile.. But he had no idea it was so invasive and grotesque. Even in Vincent's world one had to consume life to live. It was natural in a sense. But… Stealing one another's very souls? How did that affect one's own soul and subsequently their personality? It all seemed very perverse.
As the cogs in his mind turned, the Clergyman continued, "Like most others with mystical knowledge, I can read the complex flows and structures that comprise the system. I can even determine how to make the best use of the tools it provides.. but I cannot control them. And before you ask, no I don't know what Nectar looks like. It is an altogether much more complex energy than that which comprises skills and emotions."
Vincent frowned. He had a sneaking suspicion when he had originally unlocked system interference and the system tried to essentially delete him; that he somehow 'glitched out' so to speak. Either because he wasn't where he was supposed to be or because he was abnormally talented for his level. His ability to read and manipulate the constructs that ran the system allowed him some small degree of resistance to whatever it had planned when it tried to get rid of him. Those two things coupled with what could only be described as PIS from the Author.
The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.
How's that for a fourth wall-break, audience?
Vincent hesitated but eventually he found the courage to ask, "Do you know what any of this means for me? Has anyone else ever subverted the system's predestined path before?"
Zar-Rhah quirked an eyebrow as he pondered the question. "Hmm.. only one that I am aware of. However.. None alive today could claim to have known the being personally. Some question whether he ever even existed at all. He chose to defy the system in order to save his people from a cycle of endless war and bloodshed. And for his benevolent efforts.. our people were banished from the Nexus."
As the Orc spoke Vincent's eyes began to widen as he pieced the puzzle together. The wheels in his mind spun rapidly. He gasped, "Garkan.." at this point even Gildarts, who had previously been drinking heavily and munching away on some kind of commodity, focused his full attention on the conversation currently unfolding. He slowly stopped chewing, food still hanging from his mouth.
"Yes.. our greatest champion and the founder of the Orc kingdom as we know it today. He could control the flows of the system as well. Through that control he amassed uncontested power. Some say he saw something at the peak of his might.. a glimpse of the truth that left him a hollow and broken shell of the man he was." He paused to lick his lips.
"The system does not normally allow one to create or even tamper with their own fundamental flows but it does provide you with tools to make use of the flows that occur naturally. Typically this is done through what you know as.. skills. Combat abilities passed down through the generations, such as those learned by warriors like Gildarts himself.. Another less used method, and the one I chose to master.. is the art of engravings."
Vincent leaned as closely as possible without being rude, he listened intently as the Orc continued. "From what we Orcs know.. engravings are actually the ancient language of the gods." 'I fucking knew it..' Vincent thought victoriously.
"Unfortunately, much of the ancient ways have been lost to our kind. But we sorcerers and masters of the mystic arts dedicate our lives to understanding and discovering new engravings. Each individual rune in a sequence of engravings is a word. Words contain power, and great meaning when they are used correctly. If you know what you are doing.. anything is possible. For example.. if I should choose to encase my blade in a raging inferno, I would essentially etch into the blade what would translate into, 'The blade of light.'
"Alas, not all combinations of words work and some demand a steep price. The combinations are infinite and so too, its uses. Therein lies the true strength of engraving." He explained. Turning to call over his shoulder he addressed the younger Orc, "Tell me Gildarts.. this boy is here to learn from me, is he not?" Gildarts nodded but said nothing. Vincent couldn't help but voice his concerns.
"Umm wait sorry.. what? You're the one who's supposed to train me? No offense but.. it doesn't look like you can even walk well. How are you going to teach me to fight?" A few moments after having voiced his thoughts he realized he probably came off as extremely condescending. He made to apologize when the being in front of him began to cackle. Slowly at first but then with gusto.
"It's been a long time since someone has questioned my abilities in combat. Come. We shall lay your concerns to rest." The old man hobbled out of the cave in a giddy sort of hop. 'He.. certainly couldn't move like thst before..' Looking over at a smirking Gildarts, Vincent suddenly got the feeling that he had inadvertently made a grave mistake…
The trio stopped a fair distance from the cave, near the edge of the forest. Zar-Rhah wanted to ensure that his humble abode would be undamaged. He seemed to be panting a bit and despite himself, Vincent couldn't help but wonder again if this man was truly even capable of fighting.
"Alright youngster… if you don't mind, I'd like to give these old legs a rest. You go ahead and come at me however you see fit." The ragged old man declared.
Vincent blinked several times clearly not expecting such a bold challenge from the old man. Remembering that, despite his appearance this was still an Orc like Gildarts and one of royal standings, he did not want to insult the man. He obliged by summoning his trademark sword and shield and settling into a stance. Zar-Rhah seemed to perk up a bit and smile.
"Ahh! A swordsman. Excellent!… You see first and foremost as a master of the mystic arts, my specialty is engravings and the study of rare magics and knowledge. My favorite hobby however.." the Orc threw his arms to the sides. In his left appeared a massive, grotesque sort of wooden cane. In his right he held a silver claymore that looked like it easily weighed four times as much as Vincent himself. "Is swordsmanship. Bahahahaha!" The Orc cackled, slamming his wooden monstrosity down and generating a powerful Shockwave.
Vincent observed the flow of energy around the clergyman as best he could but it was so dense and growing by the second. It looked like a shimmering bubble of force built up around the man in a dome that compressed further and further until it exploded outwards. Of course to the average individual all they would see is a brief intake of air and then a shockwave generating a ring of force. Even if the crippled old Orc couldn't move fast it seemed he was a bit of a glass cannon. Upon seeing the Shockwave unleashed by the man, Vincent raised his shield, he needn't worry however, as it wasn't so much an offensive ability as it was a defensive one. Much of the Shockwave had died before it reached him.
The old Warlock was clearly just showing off his talents in an effort to intimidate the human man. Vincent narrowed his eyes. 'Fine then. Since you showed me yours.. Let me show you mine…' His eyes glowered, one turning a deep crimson red and the other blue.
Congratulations! Skill: Shockwave (Common) achieved!
Shockwave (Common) User slams the ground creating a shockwave in all directions. Due to the 'common' rarity gain a miniscule boost to size and strength of Shockwave per level.
Though it was much smaller in size, there was no doubt that the man had just reproduced an exact replica of the technique Zar-Rhah had just used a moment prior. The Warlock paused and frowned. "Did you just… copy my skill? Just by seeing it once? Ha! Fascinating! Come boy. This shall be fun." Vincent smirked. He had a pounding headache for his troubles but it was absolutely worth it to see the look on the Orc's face. It would recede soon enough anyways.
He grinned and wasted no more time in obliging the request, quickly forming a strategy in hsi mind. There was less than 30 feet between him and Zar-Rhah and his strategy was to try and maintain distance. He raised his right arm.
"Plante!" Thick thorny vines burst from the ground and wrapped themselves around the angles of the clergyman. If they bothered him at all he didn't seem to notice. The point wasn't to damage him however, so much as it was to distract him while he launched his next attack.
He raised both arms and bent his knees slightly, forehead wrinkled with concentration. "Haaagah!" He grunted, shooting a now level 11 Comet directly at the man bound by vines. Vincent amplified the speed of the projectile with a burst of telekinesis. Aerodynamics allowed the attack to fly through the air with no resistances causing it to maintain its terminal velocity. It was roughly the size of a basketball and Vincent was worried he might actually hurt the man.
A second later his worries were proven unwarranted as the clergyman, with a sharp grunt, threw his arms out wide. A massive burst of blue energy blasted away the Vines and his Comet. Vincent fired a second one only for the old man ro raise his cane causing his projectile to crash into a transparent glyphic forcefield that appeared just before the Comet struck its target. The old man yawned, seeming bored.
"Well.. guess ranged attacks are a no go." Vincent muttered while sweat dropping. Feeling insulted, he brought his sword to bear and charged the man across from him. As soon as Vincent was within arm's reach of the man he used an Unwavering strike, bringing his sword back before swinging it forward with all his might. It didn't appear the Orc was even going to attempt to parry the attack, but he slightly angled the base of his massive claymore at the last second so that the two swords collided in a flash of sparks.
Vincent's expression shifted to shock and then horror. He had blocked his strongest attack with absolute minimal effort. How strong was this old man!? The clergyman in question raised his brow. "Oh my.. that's quite a blow for a pitiful level one creature." In a speed that shouldn't have been possible he thrust the butt of his sword into Vincent's shield sending the much smaller man skidding back several feet. He coughed violently and shook his head. This wasn't looking good…
"I can see your skills hard at work manipulating the flow of not only the energy but the very elements around your being. Truly you have extraordinary talent! But you lack discipline and patience. Very well boy it seems I underestimated you. Now it is my turn." He bent his knees, holding both his blade and cane in front of him as he did so. He blasted forward in a burst of speed that shouldn't have been possible for such a crippled individual. Well.. by definition apparently he wasn't crippled.
He swung both arms, grunting as he landed. Vincent brought up his shield and activated his defensive skills. He even used telekinesis and aerodynamics to create a small field of resistance around him. As it was, the sword and cane combo were impossibly heavy. He was crushed into the ground in an instant, leaving a large crater.
"Aghaaack!" He choked as blood flew from his mouth. The Orc bounded back to his original position with one leap. He waited patiently while leaning slightly on his cane.
It took several seconds but the black haired man finally crawled from the large hole. He had apparently lost most of his health which meant his companion was probably knocked out again. Vincent had discovered during an… Unfortunate training accident, that as long as he himself was alive his companion would eventually regenerate, even from zero health. Therefore it was prominent for the plant creature to send all of his health to Vincent in cases of dire emergency. However, it would leave the creature comatose and all of his abilities useless meaning Vincent was on his own for now.
He quickly downed a few health potions, glad that the Orc seemed intent simply to humiliate him rather than kill him. On the bright side he had gained a few skill levels for getting his shit rocked.
"Quite impressive indeed.. though I figured if you couldn't at least survive that you wouldn't have been capable of peaking Gildarts's interest." The Orc raised his blade above his head as he spoke. "Now bear witness. This is the power you truly seek to learn. Sacred rune art: blade of elemental embodiment!"
True to its namesake in the next instant the Orc's massive sword really did seem to embody all five of the natural elements. A series of runes he hadn't noticed before lit up on each side of the weapon. It burst into flames, which then crackled with lightning. In a strange sort of paradox water began leaping to and from the blade in the same manner the fire itself did. Wind started circulating the energies of the elements rapidly around. Chunks of earth could be seen coating the blade as the storm of energy around him seemed to crescendo.
"Survive this boy and then I shall give you your true test. If you can pass that then I will train you in both swordsmanship.. and the ancient art of engraving. In the world of the Orcs.. only the strong survive! Hiyah!" He yelled, swinging his blade down with malice. An ocean of energy and momentum rushed toward Vincent. "No way in hell!.." He shifted into a stance, eyes widening. He had to act fast!
Booooom!
The attack impacted the spot where Vincent had been standing a mere second ago. He dashed safely away at the last minute but the force of the explosion caused him to tumble as he landed. He didn't take the attack head on.. but he did survive it.. that counted right?
As the dust cleared the old man looked taken aback at the lack of pasted Vincent. He located the man, scrambling to his feet a few dozen meters away and began to laugh. "Ahahaha. Well it's cowardly but I guess you won our little wager didn't ya? Ahahaha! You passed my little pre-test. Come back to the cave, we shall eat supper and discuss the terms of your true mission. "
Chapter 16 end