As soon as the cry rings out, the three creatures spread their wings out to their full extent. Up close, the breadth seems much more extreme than it had at a distance.
Fuck… Here we go again…
“Get ready for round two. I’m not sure if we can survive another attack, especially with that bigger one joining in, but we’ll have to try…”
I continue to stand at the ready, but the beasts use their wings to launch up while turning to retreat back the way they had come from. I sigh audibly as I lower my blade, taking on a relaxed pose, my tense muscles finally letting some of their stiffness fade.
“You’re lucky that wolfhawks only fight what they consider easy prey, Human. They didn’t know I used up both of my abilities to stun them, so they played it safe and flew away.”
The relief in Delilah’s tone is palpable, giving me the impression that no matter her words, she also feels fortunate to be alive as well. I return to where I had been sitting against the wall, with the feline following shortly after. She stands on her back legs, placing her paw upon my wounded arm. The pain disappears, so I pet her gingerly in thanks.
“You really are a life saver, my beautiful friend. I would not have survived that without you. So, from the bottom of my heart, thank you.”
“Are you just now realizing my perfection, Human? I thought I had made that clear.”
Delilah sends a sense of smug satisfaction through our connection. A warm smile creeps its way onto my lips at that, finding a calming sense of normalcy in the cat’s behaviour.
“Father…”
I’m immediately put on edge by my blade’s tone, as much worry resides within it. My own internal voice displays my discomfort, though I try my best to hide it from her.
“Yes, Koa?”
“Who was that shadow man?”
Her voice laced with concern, my dagger asks a very pertinent question, one that I am both surprised to hear and not at the same time. Surprised that she could see my Umbral Guide, and not surprised that she asked about him. With the reminder that I’m still sharing my senses with the young blade, I go to answer, but I’m interrupted by a suspicious look from the cat.
“What shadow man? What is she talking about, Human?”
The cat’s curious tone carries with it hints of concern. I sigh in frustration at the inopportune, unnecessary interruption, but I keep my tone… if not warm… maybe cordial would be a better word.
“I was getting there, if you’d just let me speak. It’s a new ability I got for those mysterious question marks. It’s called ‘Umbral Guide.’ So far, I can see in the dark better, I get training while I sleep, and there are step-by-step instructions during fights.”
I lean my head back into the wall as I offer the best explanation that I can. It’s not much, but it’s a very new addition to my arsenal, so I’m still learning about it. I pause, thinking about my response for a bit.
“That’s all I know about it. Other than the apparent fact that only I can see it. Well, unless I’m sharing my senses, I guess. Oh! There’s also a red outline around what I assume to be enemies and shadows over their weak points. It’s a really useful ability. ”
Delilah remains silent for a while as she seems to be contemplating something before she speaks up, clearly curious about the ability in question. Her response seems reasonable, as much as any response can be when presented with this situation.
“The next time you see it, Human, I’d like for you to share your senses with me so that I can study it further. I’m going to have a lot to report to the Etheri upon my summoning.”
“Wait, I can do— Actually… yeah, that tracks with what I know about our bond. Sure, I’ll show you.”
As soon as the words leave my mouth, the umbral guide appears before me once more, standing in a neutral position. He bows, following which the shadow version of Koa appears in his hand. He takes the ready position. The same stance as he has every time before now.
“Actually, he just showed up. I think he wants to train me more now that we’re out of immediate danger.”
After I relay the information to my friend, I connect my sight through my bond with Delilah. When the sensory joining is complete, she begins to walk around the shadowy figure. I’m pretty sure she can’t see it with her own eyes, but she uses my vision to occasionally make swipes through the umbral being.
“Very intriguing… Human, what is it doing now?”
Her question is instigated by the man crouching down and watching the cat as she circles him. He reaches toward her, causing her to bristle, but he… pets… her…
I’m beginning to think there’s more to this being than I currently understand. First, he reassured me during the fight, now this… I wonder what new surprise he’ll demonstrate next.
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“Ha! Even the shadow recognizes my perfection! Human, you should be taking notes.”
Delilah’s smugness blasts in full force with the actions of my Umbral Guide, causing me to roll my eyes, both physically and mentally, as the feline sits there enjoying the attention. After I think about it for a few seconds, I realize something, and ask a very valid question.
“You can’t even feel his touch, why are you so happy?”
“I don’t need to feel his touch to know he’s admiring my beauty, Human. Are you taking notes yet?”
She sounds so insufferable that I can’t help but to think my next thought with a bit of irritation, though the end of the thought is more affectionate than any other feeling.
Yeesh! She really is a piece of work, isn’t she? We’re on friendly terms, but she’s still the same old cat she was before.
“Alright, that’s enough for you! I need to begin training. Who knows what else is lurking in the darkness…”
The shadow person stands, readying himself once again. I take up the position that we’ve been practicing. It seems to be easier now than it had been before, but I don’t get the chance to think too hard about that as the lunging strikes begin. Now that I’ve had some real experience using the attack on some monsters, it seems to come more naturally to me.
Don’t get me wrong, I’m still far from perfect, but I seem to be performing satisfactorily, as the being stands and gives me a single, approving nod. He takes a new stance. I recognize it to be the second move he tried to show me earlier. Taking a step forward and turning his torso, he stabs an unseen foe in a large, curving arc from right to left. He retains the low, balanced posture as he does so, repeating this action as I begin to copy his movements.
This is a lot more draining out here than it is in the dreamscape…
It doesn’t take long before I feel my body tiring as the minutes go by. We practice the motions for about half an hour before he stands, bowing again, and vanishes.
“Well, Human, color me intrigued. That is absolutely fascinating. I like him. You have a fantastic instructor. Maybe some day you’ll learn how to pet me like he does. Keep practicing and you’ll get there.”
A smug arrogance travels through our bond as she moves to the wall, lying down with her front paws tucked under her chest. Her tail curves around her back as she stares at me, blinking slowly.
“What are you waiting for, Human? You might freeze to death if you don’t remain in contact with my beautiful form. I don’t think the Etheri would be pleased if I allowed that to happen. Come, sit down.”
I tiredly trundle my way to the wall, worn out from the weapon training. I do as she suggests, as it is very cold. Remembering that I have new things to look at on my Heart Scroll, I summon it to examine the contents further.
Name: Luck Vidadura
Age: 18
Race: Aldkin
Skill: Box - Summon a box to store things in.
Affinity: Spacial, ???
Skill Aether: 83%
Skill Credits: 140
Credit Level: Level 6 (63 SC allocated)
[Skill Tree]
[???]!
[Permissions]
[Inventory]
[Quests]!
[Bonded Creatures]!
[Bonded Items]!
[Map]
I decide to go in descending order. Knowing that the hidden page is inaccessible, I skip it. Moving on to the ‘Quests’ page, I open it to see what’s been added. I am not surprised, nor am I disappointed with the information.
New quest found!
Category: Survival, Surprise
Aspects: Dangerous, Time Requirement
Level: 3
Time Limit: 12 hours
Description: You are stuck outside of the city through the night. Try not to die.
Quest Progress: 3 of 12 hours survived.
Reward: Varies by performance
Penalty for failure: Death
New quest found!
Category: Surprise
Aspects: Dangerous
Level: 3
Time Limit: 10 minutes
Description: A pack of wolfhawks has decided to make you its next meal. Defeat as many as possible before time is up or they retreat.
Progress: Completed. 3 of 6 defeated.
Reward: 5 SC, 2 bronze rings, and 5 copper rings per hawkwolf slain. Rewards doubled if the entire pack is killed.
Penalty for failure: Death
New quest found!
Category: Repeatable
Aspects: Dangerous, Hunting
Level: 3
Time Limit: N/A
Description: Hunt down packs of wolfhawks, defeating as many as possible before they retreat.
Progress: Not accepted
Reward: 5 SC, 2 bronze rings, and 5 copper rings per hawkwolf slain. Rewards doubled if the entire pack is killed.
Penalty for failure: Death
New quest found!
Category: Attunement
Aspects: Difficult
Level: 1
Time Limit: N/A
Description: You have acquired the Woeful Bloodsteel Blade but it has not recognized you as its master. You must find a way to subdue the dagger, making it recognize you as the superior being. Good luck!
Progress: 0 of 1 daggers satiated
Reward: The blade is your reward.
Penalty for failure: N/A
Let blood and pain be your guide, young lifetaker.
-Frorn
1x Quest Completed!
Claim Reward?
Fuck… if I thought being watched by the good Etheri was scary, knowing that the evil ones are too just takes the terror to the next level! That’s too much to unpack right now, so I’ll come back to that later.
My thoughts on the subject aside, I mentally assent to the reward.
15 SC granted!
7 bronze rings and 5 copper rings added to Inventory A
Okay! Let’s check out Delilah’s updated page!
Name: Delilah
Age: Unknown
Skills: Wound Reversal, Stasis Stun, Telepathy, Mind Spike
Affinities: Temporal, Mental
Level: 13
Aether: 54%
Disposition: Friendly
Other than the new stun ability, she’s gained a few levels and… Finally! Friendly disposition!
I smile warmly, glad that the cat is actually taking a liking to me now. I had begun to worry that she’d never reach anything above ‘acquainted.’
Now, last but not least, it’s time to see what progress Koa has made.
Name: Koa
Skills: Father’s Call, Spacial Lock
Affinities: Spacial
Level: 6
Aether: 19%
“Koa, you got a new skill! ‘Spacial Lock.’ Sounds really cool! What does it do?”
“Yes, Father! It allows me to stay in place, no matter where you want me to be! I also got an upgrade to ‘Father’s Call’ that pairs well with my new skill! You can summon me to anywhere now, not just your hand!”
“That’s amazing! Should we try it out now or is there going to be a waiting period after you use it?”
Koa’s inner voice glows with pride and pleasure at the compliments before she replies.
“We won’t have to wait, Father! Both skills can be used at will.”
Her response is all the prompting I need. I’m still a bit tired, but I can put that aside to give my dagger some much needed attention.
“Okay, here we go!”
