Stelvia seemed both disturbed and annoyed, "After ten times, it just quits doing it?" she said in a huff, "did it kill all the rats?" she continued. The group was now traveling together. They were still a little bit away from where Davila spotted the undead and its strange antics. After the ninth cast, the tenth felt different, darker. After that strange casting another did not come, they quickened their pace. Worried they might lose the advantage, or the undead all together if they did not hurry.
"How far, Davila?" asked Lug, the orc, carrying a squirming Jodrak over his left shoulder. "I not fast as you, how far you scout?" he exclaimed, seeming surprised they hadn't arrived yet.
"Oh, not too far," replied the dark elf, smiling wickedly, "maybe another few miles?" She continued jokingly.
Stelvia, not catching the joke, roared, "Miles! It's been at least twenty minutes since the last cast, who knows where it could have gotten to in that time, let alone the time it will take us to travel several more miles!."
"Relax, Stelvia, I was kidding; it's just beyond that rubble there," she said, pointing at a not too distant pile of what was once a tower of some kind. "Probably best not to be shouting, though, wouldn't want the mighty undead mage to hear you." She paused for a moment in seemingly deep thought, then said, "if it can even hear?" while pointing at her own ears and making a lopping off gesture.
Lug, shaking his head, is disbelief, set down the fear-stricken Ratkin near him, and said, "If it still there, we need a plan. I say we send rat first, see if he dies."
Jodrak refused instantly, shaking his feeble little head so fast it became a blur. He knew that it didn't matter though; his opinion was of little consequence anymore. Jodrak's greed got the best of him, and he was in far over his head now. The only thing he could hope for was that the demoness was not in favor of this plan.
If only he was so lucky, Stelvia agreed immediately, "I like it, Lug, you toss the Ratkin in, I'll go left, Davila, you got right." She gave out orders for a triangle formation. This veteran team was used to using it for more stubborn single targets. "If he outright attacks, we go, if he hesitates, well that's where you come in Jodrak," she glared at the rat, "if you survive the undead and want to survive me, you will try to talk with it."
Jodrak, not having much choice, nodded, "What do I say?" he uttered meekly.
"Just try to get as much information about what it wants, and what it's after as you can, don't piss it off, and don't be stupid." Wagging tail again, betraying her poker face. (she must suck at cards) thought Jodrak.
Jodrak nodded; his nature was cowardice; he knew well how to avoid pissing off those stronger than him. With the plan set, Stelvia called for the group to move into position. Davila, soon giving a nod that their target was still preset, proceeded to enact the plan they made.
***
I instantly cast raise minion on the rat leader. I was both impressed with the spell and bothered by it. The skeleton of the rat literally ripped free from the corpse in a rather horrific explosion of gore. After it was free I was left with a black skeletal rat,with similar eyes to mine, staring up at me.
The rat had 3 standard modes, Attack, Defend, and Do Nothing. Claire explained that a 4th or even 5th mode could be found in more special or sentient minions but this simple rat was not one of those. I set it to Defend at her recommendation and we began the process of leveling.
I laid back, having just finished assigning my status points. This part was easy for me. I really, really loved my spell, and it had already proven very powerful. I also just finished proving that I was not very adept at melee combat, so strengthening my cast ability became a priority. With Claire's guidance, I assigned 2 points to intelligence, 2 to wisdom, and finally the last to Vitality.
The Vitality point was Claire's recommendation. She said that even casters must have some defense. Something about a glass cannon. Not having any experience to disagree, I took the advice and assigned the points right away. Feeling a small surge of power as each point entered the respective stat.
A new item also appeared on the status page, the AP counter. I assumed it was because I now had access to this system. Having explored the options with Claire for a few moments, they narrowed down the skills to two choices, the others being either melee based or downright useless. His two choices where:
Magic Information
Magic Name: Magic Shield
Level: 1/100
Cast Time: Passive
Range: Self
Classification: Defence Magic
Mana Cost: Varies
Special Ability: None
Description: Create a defensive layer of magic
over yourself that absorbs all dmg taken as MP DMG lasts untill
MP is drained, reengages at full MP.
Bonus 1% Melee Dmg Reduction per level up to 50% max
Current 1%
Bonus 1% Magic Dmg Reduction Per Level up to 75% max
Current 1%
Locked Level 50 Bonus Absorb – 10% chance to Absorb mana from a
Spell hitting the shield, restoring mana and negationg the spell.
Locked Level 100 Bonus Refelect – 5% chance to refelect a spell back
at the caster with additional homing effect.
Magic Information
Magic Name: Summon Skeletal Familiar
Level: =To casters Level, Levels with the caster.
Cast Time: 1 Minute
Range: 10 Meters
Classification: Summoning Magic
DMG: Dependent on summoned creature
DMG Type: Based on the soul of the caster
Mana Cost: 20 MP
Special Ability: Summons have their own
attacking and defending abilities. Permanent
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Companion.
Description: Raise forth an undead creature
of small or medium size. The type and size of
creature raised is dependent on the quality
of the soul of the caster. Summon will last until
the creature is defeated or dismissed. Can be
re-summoned even if defeated.
Both of these spells cost 5 AP each, so there was no leeway for getting around picking only one. I was stuck because I felt that both would be ideal for my desired future combat plans, not getting hit hard plans.
I decided to look over his status page one last time before making my decision.
Status
Name: Alex Samoson
Title: None
Level: 2
Class: Basic Skeleton
HP: 22/22
MP: 24/24
EN: 20/20
Unassigned Status Points: 0
AP: 5
STR: 10
VIT: 11
DEX: 10
INT: 12
WIS: 12
LUK: 4
ATK: 10 DEF: 11
SPELL: 12 SPELL DEF: 12
CRIT: 3% CRIT DEF: 2%
MP5M: 6
EXP: 200/2000
Seeing my MP at only 24 and wanting to focus it all on dark bolt, even if I still could only cast it twice in a row at the moment, my third cast's speed would be quicker with four MP ready to go. I might just need that third one fast. It was ultimately Claire who helped me with my choice. The familiar was a lot like raise minion, only I could only have 1 at a time and they would be considerably more powerful than a standard minion, she also said the shield was ideal for melee fighters who did not rely on MP as much. So I went with the summon spell.
I went this route because it was a one and done magic. I could cast it once and not worry about it after that. Making my decision, I selected Summon Skeletal Familiar, and in an instant, I knew exactly how to perform the spell. (Well, that was impressive, "God magic" strikes again!)
Excited to meet my new would-be companion, I began to cast it immediately; I was unaware of the four sets of eyes peering just over the rubble around me. As I started the ritual, an eerie chant of words that even I did not know the meaning of escaped my mouth as a glowing runic circle appeared before me.
The four, now taken back by the events unfolding before them, chose to observe rather than interrupt. Fearing that the undead knew of their presence and that this was an attack of some sort, they remained undercover, protected by ruins and wreckages of old. The chant continued, on and on it went, much to the worry of Stelvia. Who knew at least enough magic to know that this was not ordinary, and her abnormal sensitivity to it told her it was big.
As my chant neared its end, and a broad beam of light erupted from the circle. Once it faded, in its place stood a frightful creature. A large catlike skeletal creature stood proudly, golden bones somewhat glimmering. Its fangs were oversized for its maw and looked like sabers. Mounted firmly on its skull was a long curved sword-like bone, it was very sharp looking and came to a vicious point. Its body looked strong despite its skeletal form. On its back, two long tail-like appendages hung forward, on their tips, smaller blades sat. These appendages twitched and swayed, seemingly able to be controlled separately. Following the back of this creature, one would see healthy bone protecting the rear. Finally, at its end came a long tail, ending at what resembled a double ax head. In its paws sat lengthy claws, curving in the same violent form as the other blades.
"Well, that's awesome," I, utterly impressed with the magnificent creature, remarked, "this spell was definitely worth it, huh Claire?"
Claire only responded with, "This is a Bladed Lion, it is of the holy element, it should not be possible to summon a holy creature as an undead."
"Hmm, seems my luck might be changing then?" I replied, "Cause this guy is really making me feel lucky to have at my side right now."
"No, Alex, this is bad, if a holy creature is summoned as an undead, they will likely be unable to be controlled!" Claire, whose voice was panicked, quickly added.
“Well shit,” was all I got out before the lion turned and roared at him, but to my surprise, it did not attack. It just stood there, glaring at my. Suddenly a mental voice came to me. This one was rough and manly, not at all gentle to my mind like Claire.
"Why have you summoned me, child of Two Shades?" I was confused; was he speaking to me? Who was Two Shades? Before I could phrase his question, the voice returned.
"You do not even know who Two Shades is? Yet you bear her mark? Tell me, child, are you an idiot?" The lion said to his mind, it sounded as though he was laughing.
(Well that was uncalled for, ass-cat) I thought, still now, I had an idea who Two Shades was. If I bore her mark, it might be Volana; I couldn’t think of anyone else who could have marked him by now.
Choosing to ignore the insult, the lion said, "Volana, eh? Is that what she goes by now, Ha, still a Two Shade runt obsessed with balancing things."
(Must be a pretty brave ass-cat to speak of a high goddess like that,) I thought, not caring if the lion heard my thoughts, then I mentally asked, “What is your name, Lion?”
Sitting back on its hind legs, the lion seemed lost in thought, “A high goddess, she sure has risen up in the world,” The bladed beast sighed a breathless sigh, “How long have I been dead?" Staring off in the distance like a lost old man, after a moment, the lion looked at Alex, "Also, my name is most certainly not ass-cat!" he growled.
(Oops, well, you knew it was a bad idea to begin with, dumbass,) I scolded myself internally, netting a small chuckle from the lion and Claire, who had remained silent this entire time.
"The name is Malveleonix, I was once the proud leader of the entire race of holy lions." He stood proud, obviously expecting me to be impressed; I was not, ok maybe a little. " Though it seems that was quite some time ago, you may call me Veleon as it is far easier for your simple mind to pronounce." Ignoring the scorn in my face, Veleon continued, "So I ask once more, Undead, why have you summoned me?"
(It seems you can read my mind, so ill just think of the reasons why, I hope that works,) I then began to recall my journey until now; I remembered my life as a baker's son and Julia's blade's torment. I recalled waking up post mortem in a strange octagonal room, and the evil creature in the box. I reminisced over the conversations I had with the gods. Then the evil of another's doing that had caused it all. Finally, I thought about the memories of waking up in the tomb and my strange new powers, also the short journey up to now.
As I finished my recollection, I looked upon Veleon anew and was astonished, the cat appeared to be laughing! Just as I was just about to get angry, when another surprise hit me.
“Waaaaaahhh, oh what horrid fates you have, wahhhhhh" the lion cried out. "If only I had the ducts with which to shed tears for you, I would shed them till I had none left. My god, the pain you have endured, yet here you stand, bravely walking toward unknown dangers! Sniff- sniff" The lion rushed to me in a blur of speed and gently placed its massive bony paw on his shoulder. "You inspire me, youngling, don't worry, my boy, we shall snuff out this evil together!" said the lion as he looked off to the sky, a slight gleam in his eyes, undead as they were.
Meanwhile, Two feminine gazes watched on in horror as the terrible undead summoned a long-extinct legendary bladed lion into the world, fear creeping into their bones. Stelvia was just about to signal off their plan when suddenly she saw it. A flying Ratkin heading straight in the direction of the undead "damn it, Lug, learn to read a situation once in a while!" she said, looking on, fear of what was to come settling in.
Current Status
Name: Alex Samoson
Title: None
Level: 2
Class: Basic Skeleton
HP: 22/22
MP: 4/24
EN: 20/20
Unassigned Status Points: 0
AP: 0
STR: 10
VIT: 11
DEX: 10
INT: 12
WIS: 12
LUK: 4
ATK: 10 DEF: 11
SPELL: 12 SPELL DEF: 12
CRIT: 3% CRIT DEF: 2%
MP5M: 6
EXP: 200/2000
Magic Menu
Magic Name Level
Dark Bolt 1/100
Raise Minion 1/100
Summon Skeletal Familiar 2/????
Skills Menu
Skill Name Level
Baking 3/10
Passive Skills Menu
Skill Name Level
Undead Resilience Max
Consumption Immunity Max
Of light, Dark and Gold Max
New Spells
Magic Information
Magic Name: Summon Skeletal Familiar
Level: =To casters Level, Levels with the caster.
Cast Time: 1 Minute
Range: 10 Meters
Classification: Summoning Magic
DMG: Dependent on summoned creature
DMG Type: Based on the soul of the caster
Mana Cost: 20
Special Ability: Summons have their own
attacking and defending abilities. Permanent
Companion.
Description: Raise forth an undead creature
of small or medium size. The type and size of
creature raised is dependent on the quality
of the soul of the caster. Summon will last until
the creature is defeated or dismissed. Can be
re-summoned even if defeated.