Blood Spirit Gem [https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/pw/AP1GczPxEabZ2zgiK5IFIjgEjmAha71NZ5LY1sko1Md5L3kma8l8KmTvkKu952YGbU6Ledbo5yHWl7OAsEvHeOXK-e909HKSOROzY7Nkov3QTLLeeYqViBSUx4RL2nYwNjNwhhFX7pRNCQqD5njqP2VGeSnn=w1024-h1536-s-no-gm?authuser=0]
Dazien found himself strangely at ease as he walked down the street of the still-recovering Market District within the inner city with Saiya holding his arm. She had been choosing him more often lately as the one to hold on to, and he wasn’t sure if that was because he was more soothing to her or if she thought he was the one in need of soothing.
Rayna was spending her day off with Mohala, the two officially courting now, but the time was limited with so much work still demanding their time. Phoenix was holed up in her room, likely blowing up something, while Uriel was taking the time to visit Priest Jacob and the frolf pups at the Temple of the Parent. This left Dazien and Saiya on their own to do some shopping for the group before meeting back up with Uriel at the orphanage.
“Something on your mind?” Saiya asked softly as he stared blankly through one of the windows that had recently been replaced and showed sparsely stocked shelves. The reflection of Snowbelle flying through the air beside them caught his attention, and he gave a soft smile.
“You already know there is,” he replied while watching the spoiled Familiar and her summoner looking at his own reflection in the glass.
“I’ve been reminded recently that it’s rude to tell people what they’re feeling.”
Dazien chuckled, turning to look directly at her instead of the reflection, “I promise that I won’t ever scorn you for the insight, Lady Saiya. Unlike Uriel, I would prefer the opportunity to confront my inner contradictions. I find myself most ill at ease when I don’t understand what I’m feeling.”
The lovely voxen returned his smile, “Nobody likes feeling confused. Just because I might know that’s what you’re feeling, though, doesn’t mean I know why you’re feeling it. What are you thinking about?”
He gave a heavy sigh, “Everything and nothing. The past and the future. Our party as Adventurers and our new responsibilities as political and religious icons. Ways to help everyone keep moving forward towards Emerald without leaving Uriel behind or Phoenix getting too far ahead. Leading this group on her quest without Paul to guide and watch over us. Whether to postpone that until we finish helping Camilla investigate what might have happened to my parents.”
“I think I can understand your confusion now,” she replied, then tugged on his arm and pointed at a shop across the street, “Can we look in there? That’s where Rayna and I got our last Spirit Gems.”
“Sure. You still need one more, right?”
“Yes, but you also have a lot to catch up on.”
“Fair point,” he said, nodding in acquiescence as he led them across the way.
Snowbelle landed upon one of the rails attached above the entrance where flying Familiars could await their summoners as they entered the small shop.
He smiled up at the loyal Seagull and added to the summoner, “I’ve only unlocked two out of the ten needed so far, but I’ve been hesitant to buy them.”
“Why’s that?” Saiya asked, “You’re not picking up Phoenix’s bad habit of waiting to receive them as loot, are you?”
Dazien laughed at the suggestion, “No, I’m not that superstitious. It’s just—”
His words cut off as they entered the store that he remembered normally being filled with glittering gems behind heavily warded glass displays, only to find the displays were empty. There were only two gems mounted on a wall that displayed the name and price. They were both rare Emerald Caste gems: Myriad and Dimension.
Dazien almost choked when he saw the prices listed by the Spirit Gems, further reinforcing his previous thought, “It’s just the expense…”
“Is something you can afford now, Noble Wayland,” she replied with a pointed look, “Phoenix told me that Patricia set up an allowance for both of you and our income from adventuring has given you plenty to afford these.”
He couldn’t argue with her point since she wasn’t exactly wrong. It just… hurt to spend that much on a single item. He knew it was a necessary investment for his future, but he couldn’t help the visceral reaction of his stomach clenching at the price tag.
“I think I’m just so stuck in the mindset of needing to save for later that it’s hard to convince myself that it’s okay to… spoil myself.”
“It’s okay to be kind to yourself, Dazien,” she reminded him, “I wouldn’t consider unlocking your abilities to begin progressing them again as spoiling, but even if it were, you deserve it.”
He shook his head, “I prefer to spoil others, honestly; I find much more joy in watching others smile when I get them a shiny trinket than when someone gives me one.”
Saiya laughed and he found himself grinning at the way her silky tails swayed in her delight, “I think you and your sister share this trait,” she tightened her grip on his arm as she leaned her head against him and added, “You know, it often surprises me when I see the similarities between you two. You behave so much like siblings at times despite not actually growing up together.”
Dazien smirked, “I hope I don’t share in that stubborn recklessness I’m often finding myself chastising her for.”
“No, that’s definitely something she gets from Paul.”
He laughed but it was interrupted by the store clerk asking, “Is there anything I can assist you with, Noble Wayland?”
Dazien was startled by the address. At first, because he was simply unaccustomed to it still, but secondly, because he wasn’t used to people knowing him as anything more than the “shiny gemite orphan.” Even when people had recognized him in the past, few had actually known his name.
“He’s looking for some Sapphire Caste Spirit Gems to progress his abilities as a Defender,” Saiya prompted when he had been silent for too long, lost in his thoughts.
“Yes,” he confirmed, pulling them both closer to the man and the displays separating them. Refocusing on the new task at hand, he supplied more information, “With an emphasis on the sword and tactical battlefield control. Perhaps something with some Agility tendencies as well to help me keep up with my speedier allies.”
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Dazien paused, glancing around the empty shop, and added, “It appears you may not have anything available, however.”
“The various noble Houses and any with the monetary means have been on a spending spree for Spirit Gems and Aspects lately due to the loss of our Caster numbers and the rumored threats of enactment of the Emergency Recruitment program being imminent,” the clerk informed before adding thoughtfully, “However, I may have something for you,” the clerk replied with a bow, “I believe we got some options along those lines in stock just yesterday. If you’ll excuse me for a moment to retrieve it from the back.”
“Of course,” he said with a nod and turned back to his companion as he pondered quietly, “I’ve been wondering if the traits we’ve all seen Phoenix share with Paul have something to do with them being Kindred Spirits.”
“It wouldn’t be surprising from what little you’ve told me about what that even means.”
He gave a sigh, “I’ve been trying to search for more information in what little spare time we get but there isn’t much in the Scholar’s library here about it.”
“Tulim’s not exactly the most noteworthy place for a large library of rare or ancient texts, I would assume.”
“Actually, it’s larger than I would have expected once I learned how tiny we are compared to the rest of the world,” he replied, “Apparently, one of the founders was almost Phoenix’s level of obsession when it comes to books.”
“Wasn’t Tulimeir founded over five thousand years ago?”
“Yes, which is why I found it interesting. That era was basically the dawn of books and the rise of the aristocracy. Unfortunately, a lot of that history is hard to find details on, at least here. I’m sure another city somewhere has a more impressive collection. Even the city we’re going to visit first has a more renowned library that Paul planned on having us visit.”
“Here we are, sir,” the clerk announced as he returned with a small tray with a few Spirit Gems resting upon it. He gestured to each as he said in turn, “We have Control, Blood, and Swift that may result in a suitable upgrade per your concerns.” The cinderen lifted the dark garnet gem cut like a teardrop and expounded, “Some may be hesitant about the Blood Spirit Gem, but I have heard many laud its regenerative tendencies for the Defender position, which, as I’m sure you know, often takes the brunt of the damage.”
“I’m aware,” Dazien said with an amused smirk at the salesman. He tapped the round-cut Control one with its steel sheen and asked, “Tell me more about this one.”
“Ah, a good eye if ruling the battlefield is more to your liking,” the man said, setting the Blood gem down and lifting the Control one to elaborate.
Dazien was suspicious about the clerk’s choice of words and began to wonder if all the prominent shopkeepers did market research on the nobles within the city just to better appeal to their desires and make a sale. That gem had the most promise to him in his mind with his taunts and caging ability and would hopefully make him more effective at compensating for his lack of purely defensive abilities.
“For a mere twenty Emerald Mana Bits, you can ensure the safety of your prestigious party as they take on any foe.”
Dazien almost melted where he stood, glancing back at Saiya, who thankfully seemed shocked at the price, too, and that it wasn’t just him being overly frugal. A single Emerald Bit was the equivalent of a million Mundane ones, and five mundane Bits equaled a loaf of bread. The price of that Spirit Gem alone would feed the orphanage for over a century.
He simply couldn’t justify it.
Instead of going off on the clerk for the insanity, he spoke to Saiya instead, “I thought you said the prices here were reasonable. Please tell me you didn’t spend that much on your gem when there’s hungry children still recovering from the siege.”
“Of course not,” Saiya replied, “It was while you were recovering from your Sapphire ascension. I only paid fifty-five Sapphire Bits for my Mana Spirit Gem.”
That was a little more reasonable, at least. It was still astronomical for a single item in more mundane terms, considering that amount could buy a decent condo in the city. However, magical items, especially ones that granted innate power like Aspects and Spirit Gems, were often more in this realm. Both were an investment.
When he glanced back at the clerk, raising a questioning brow in obvious prompting for an explanation, the man nervously said, “Well, like I said before, the siege and new recruits have taxed a lot of our supplies, and with the rising magic levels the inflation rate is going to impact the price of all commodities.”
Dazien nodded, but it was difficult to believe the temporary supply depletion would affect the prices that drastically. “I see,” he looked back towards his companion, “I believe I may go with Phoenix’s plan of looting my Spirit Gems and letting Fate decide for me. Or maybe I’ll just wait for the prices to stabilize again. Perhaps the influx of immigrants we’re expecting will help with the supply issues.”
He glanced towards the clerk again as he added, “I’m sure our prestigious party will survive on the wall for a few more weeks without my abilities unlocked.”
The man lifted up the last gem in the row that he had earlier indicated as the Swift one and said, “This gem is only fifty-two Sapphire Mana Bits at the moment, being only uncommon. It’s normally only desired by speed-focused builds, but I believe it may help you… keep up with your swift companions.”
The Defender hummed as though debating with himself before saying, “That may be more reasonable.”
Unlike Phoenix, Dazien didn’t feel as uncomfortable with the pandering due to his position. His earlier discomfort at being called “Herald” had stemmed from the assumption made on Phoenix’s behalf of a position he hadn’t explained to her about earlier. Now that he knew she was accepting of it, it was just another social role for him to fill. Another costume to don should the occasion call for it.
He preferred the King costume he had worn for the majority of his life despite not having the title to go with it. It was the role he desired most, after all, and his more recently earned Noble title was fairly similar to that one. It was just new that complete strangers actually believed the costume was real.
Dazien glanced around the shop once more, a new concern rising that even if he were willing to spend the money, he wouldn’t be able to procure the gems needed to advance. He hesitated only a moment before asking, “You said some were hesitant about the Blood gem. Was that also because of the price or the fact that Blood is often associated with the Maniac god?”
The clerk frowned for only a microsecond before saying, “Despite that association, it is well known that no magic is inherently evil like some may suggest. The price is also reasonable considering that and the taxation on our supply.”
“How much might it be if I get both? Help you take that evil gem off your hands,” he said, ignoring the curious look he could sense Saiya giving him in his periphery.
“I may be able to part with both for ninety-eight Sapphire Bits,” the man said thoughtfully, “I wouldn’t want my greed to be the reason Herald Wayland couldn’t progress his abilities, after all. Consider it my own thanks for your party’s efforts in defending our city, including my shop.”
“I appreciate that,” he replied politely, “We’ll take both then, and I will pass on your words of gratitude to Saint Wayland later today as well.”
As Dazien painfully passed over the Bits and the clerk began boxing up the little gems, he found his attention wandering beyond the glass storefront and to another shop across the way displaying a few weapons in the window, including a lovely golden short sword.
He glanced back toward Saiya, who was happily humming to herself while clinging to his arm again, and he found himself formulating an idea. The Defender knew he was often pulled from her side during combat and hated the vulnerable position that often left his Healer in. She had no weapons save her claws, and her battle robes did little more than make sure debris didn’t take her down.
He knew from experience that the best way to protect someone when you couldn’t always be there was to help them be better able to protect themselves. That was something he could help remedy with his Healer.
“What are you thinking?” Saiya asked him softly as those large amber eyes gazed up at him full of curiosity at whatever emotion she must have felt from him.
“That I want to spend more time with you,” he replied with a gentle smile, “I also want to spoil you with a shiny trinket.”