Everywhere he went, he saw the remnants of battles, massacres, and destruction. Though, he wasn’t surprised to see the complete lack of bodies. More than likely they went into the blood pool he had just transformed into life energy.
Still, that didn’t mean the city was safe. This was only one entrance to the labyrinthian underground beneath the city and Sam had no doubt that the rest of the entrances were used in similar ways. There was a small flicker of hope that some other people managed to resist the insidious assault, but knowing his luck, he was planning for the complete opposite.
With luck, he would be able to save at least part of the city. Hopefully, the part where he had to deliver his letter.
As he neared the entrance from where he descended into the abyss with the late Asa, he could hear voices and the sound of battle.
Sharpening his ears, he made sure to listen as Lucky began to slow down a little without Sam prompting him to do so. He was so proud of the wolf!
As he listened, he could now distinguish some cries and sounds from the cacophony.
“…hold the…”
“…aaaaaargh…”
“…let…blood…”
“…crush them!”
Deciding that he didn’t really want to be bogged down, he signaled Lucky to stop and return to his shadow before also vanishing into the shadows while also sending out clones of his to distract the fighters.
As he entered stealth, his spells and affinity with shadow cloaking him from discovery – though he was realistic enough to realize that the only reason nobody saw through his frankly weak stealth was because they were rather occupied – he began heading toward the exit, his eyes on the battle unfolding there.
On one side, their backs toward the underground were people dressed in either red or drenched in blood. From his position, he could see both NPCs and players doing their best to keep the people of the city out. On the other side, were NPCs from Sunspot, some players (though not many), and a suspicious lack of the elite warriors. The Sunwarriors should have been on the blood mages and their minions like a fat kid on a cake.
Yet, they were nowhere to be seen…
Ordinarily, some would be suspicious that they were either in league with the attackers or were already eliminated. Sam knew better. They were currently protecting the ‘important’ part of the city.
The temples, harbor, military locations, and the leaders of the city.
Just as he finished his thought, his Mirage clones slammed into the backs of the blood mages, causing chaos.
“It’s stabbing me! It’s stabbing me!”
“Get it off! Get it off!”
“My knees!”
He made sure his clones didn’t use any of his identifying spells to make sure nobody could react to him. GrindHog and his friend were undoubtedly already telling their bosses that he was in the city, but it would take time for that information to trickle down to the people on the ground. He was going to make sure to use that time wisely. And maybe a little chaotically…
Grinning savagely, he slinked past the battle to emerge into the ruined city.
Just as he was about to head toward the Temple of Sun, he was interrupted by something rather unwelcome.
BAMMMMMM
He was far enough that he could stay on his feat, but the shockwave carried enough dust and debris with it that he was momentarily deafened, and only his wind magic allowed him to escape unscathed. With a wave of his hand, he created a small window in the dust cloud settling in over the city, ignoring the shocked cries for help around him while the people began to stand up after they were blown off their feet.
Devastation was all around him. Previously still untouched buildings were covered in cracks, most of the decorations had been blown off, and everything was covered by a rather substantial layer of dust and who knows what else. People, at least those who didn’t have the skill or power to resist, were also covered in the same substance, evoking pictures he had seen of earthquake survivors in the past.
Here and there, he could see visible shields of magic over certain buildings. Some visibly holding back the tide of debris, some shattered by the shockwave of the explosion, some merrily existing as if advertising the competence of their creators before slowly fading away, once again ready to protect the homes they covered.
Looking in the distance he saw six columns of smoke rising up in the air, tinted a bit reddish, while entire sections of the city seemed to be caved in, releasing horrendous noise as the underground caverns and corridors began to fill with the destroyed remains.
A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.
Cries of pain, dismay, devastation, and general shock rang through the city as people realized what was happening. However, as he watched the destroyed building sink even deeper, he saw that the few blood fanatics still on the surface were looking around either distractedly or worriedly.
‘No doubt worried why the seventh place didn’t explode…’ he mused.
However, he didn’t have time to idle around. He had to deliver the symbol he was ‘given’.
Turning around, he located the Temple of the Sun – a surprisingly, humble building with a giant hole in the top of the roof to allow the sun to illuminate the congregations – and began running toward it.
Thankfully, the part of the city that wasn’t currently sinking into the depths of unknown darkness (and devoured by the same darkness) was the part where most of the officials, nobles, and other high rollers lived.
Barely any sign of fights. What he saw were a few smears of people who tried something, but even those were in the process of being cleaned up by stone-faced servants laboring while ignoring the chaos in other parts of the city.
It seems Sunspot was indeed a lawless city…
It took him only a minute or two to reach the first roadblock protected by Sunwarriors, their head hidden by gleaming helmets, nonetheless radiating fury and absolute demand for obedience as lesser soldiers and other auxiliary people moved around them.
Even then, that time was an eternity in a battle like this. The reddish-tinted smoke wasn’t vanishing, instead, it was starting to join together into a giant cloud about the city, radiating the same disgusting magic that Sam faced not long ago.
As Sam got near the roadblock, he was instantly spotted by warriors, their helmeted heads snapping in his direction (not that he was hiding from them), so he jumped down from the rooftops where he was making use of his previous practice to shorten the travel distance and approached the official standing next to one of the Sunwarriors.
“HALT!” cried the man, looking Sam over. “Turn away or be destroyed! This area is prohibited from entering!”
Sam stopped and raised his hand to show it was empty. “Greetings! I have business at the Temple of the Sun!”
The official frowned and began to berate Sam.
“Now see here! I said no entry, then no en---” however, he was interrupted by the Sunwarrior holding a metal gloved hand in front of his face.
The face hidden behind the helmet watched Sam for a moment, and then they heard a low, rumbling sound.
“Speak!”
Sam smiled a little and slowly to not spook the people warily watching him, reaching into his inventory and retrieving the symbol.
Instantly, the entire street was bathed in warm sunlight, while several lines on the nearest Sunwarrior’s armor began shining with the same light.
There were several cries of surprise and wonder, and Sam also spotted a person breaking into tears.
The giant warrior spent a moment scrutinizing the item shining in Sam’s hand before nodding. Then, to everyone’s surprise, he opened the roadblock for Sam to enter, then he physically picked up the official and put him out of the way.
“Go!” he rumbled, and Sam was off.
Once inside the area protected by the famed warriors, countless soldiers, and servants, it was rather peaceful. Hell, there were even magical enchantments in place that filtered out of the cries of the dying people.
Even then, as he approached the temple, he immediately noticed he wasn’t alone. Countless people, in very expensive clothing, were gathering around the entrance as one of the priestesses was trying to keep them calm.
As he slowly approached the crowd, he mostly heard prayers for salvation, doom on the attackers, and everything in between.
Not wanting to go through a crowd of rich and entitled people, he simply took out the shining symbol from his inventory, held it high, and began to walk forward.
Instantly, people began to back up as soon as the light touched them, some out of fear but some out of awe. A few people even fell to their knees and rapidly began to pray.
It didn’t take long for the priestess to notice him, not with him playing the part of a mobile lighthouse and barely another second to recognize the item. Her face fell, and tears began to fall from her eyes as she watched Sam approach.
He stopped in front of her, a step lower and very aware of the people watching them, he bowed a little and held out the symbol silently.
The priestess opened her mouth and gently reached for it, before stopping herself and shaking her head.
Instead, she gave Sam a weak smile and motioned inside the temple.
“Come with me,” she spoke, her voice barely above a whisper.
He nodded and followed her inside while another priestess, this one much meaner looking with some impressive muscles, showed up and took the previous one’s place.
Sam was led inside, the light shining from the artifact in his palm reflecting perfectly from the walls of the temple, fully illuminating the entire space with the warm light of the sun, chasing away the gray melancholy.
They were soon joined by other sad-looking priestesses, and the one who escorted him stepped next to one of the older women and spoke up.
“Sister, he has brought…”
“Shh…sister. I know what he has brought,” she shushed the first one and then looked into Sam’s eyes. “The only one who is missing and not dead is Asa. Did she…?” she asked without being able to finish the sentence.
Sam nodded and quietly explained what happened under the city, then his actions with the blood pool.
There were gasps of surprise and admiration around, interspersed with a few cries of Asa’s and her disciples’ names.
However, the artifact was still in his hand as none of the priestesses were seemingly willing to take it from him.
Then, as he was about to inquire about some possibilities, they were interrupted by a fearful cry.
“Look! The sky!” came from one of the women in attendance who was looking out of one of the windows.
Instantly, he felt a burst of magic emerging from the elder priestess, and the hole in the roof was covered by an invisible magical membrane. He gave her a quiet thumbs up and also started to look to see what the other priestess saw.
The dark cloud of reddish-black smoke that was created by the almost complete destruction of the city had evolved into a giant black cloud, that occasionally flashed dark blood. The worst was, however, that Sam could see small droplets of reddish liquid falling from it.
Sam watched curiously as the priestesses began to herd the crowd inside under cover, but still, they weren’t fast enough, so one of the droplets landed on an uncovered patch of skin.
“AARGH!” came the pained yell as Sam and the others watched as the affected skin began to turn dark red then black. “I can’t feel my arm! I can’t feel my arm!” the man cried as his arm indeed uselessly flopped around while his face was etched with worry.
Sam threw up a quick shield to protect those not under cover and watched worriedly as the red rain began its deadly concert over the city of the sun.
Owed bonus chapters: Three (3)
Titles:
[Apprentice: You are an apprentice learning under a master. Increased experience point gain in the key skill of the apprenticeship.]
Magical Items:
[Ring of Minor Health Regeneration: A small ring, made from subpar materials, with a low-quality magical gem. As long as the gem holds mana, it aids with health regeneration. Can hold 100 Mana Points, and regenerates 10 Health Points for every point of mana consumed. Current Mana: 100/100.]
[High-quality Troll Leather Armor: Created by a journeyman crafter employed by your own company. They worked extra hard to make sure to return your goodwill. Excellent quality, given the materials and the crafter. Enchanted to decrease the sound it makes during movement, as well as has increased durability. Thanks to the substance it was impregnated with the troll leather it lacks its customary weakness to fire.]
*Not actually bottomless.]
[Ring of the Shadow Fang: Made from shadow metal and accented with white moon-silver, this ring allows the wearer to summon a dagger made from shadow. The strength of the dagger depends on the wearer’s shadow mana control. The distance the dagger can move from the wearer depends on the mana control of the individual.]
Quests:
Active quests:
[Just walk in there!]
[Prove yourself!]
[Peaceful land, peaceful mind]
[Deli-Very!]
[Longing for the sun!]
Failed quests:
[Friendlessly into the depths!]
Finished quests:
[Monster Parade!]
[Topping the tree!]
[Reap what you sow!]
[Seaside opportunity]
[Another seaside opportunity]
[The booty of mystery!]
[Demonic demonstration!]
[The Test of the Survivor!]
[To the city you go!]
[Eternal Vigilance!]
[Returning Champion]
[Volatile Valley]
[Ride forward to be not killed in nasty ways!]
[Location, location, location!]
[Call to action!]
Skills:
Mana Skills:
[Mana Body: Level 7/100 (21%) (Passive) Your mana permeates your body, enhancing and improving it. The better your control of your mana is, and the more mana you have, the bigger the effect is. For every 100 Mana Points, it grants you 1 Base Health gain. For every skill level, it increases the Health Regeneration by 0,1.]
[Mana Shield: Level 99 (99%) Using mana, you can form a simple shell around yourself, which decreases the damage you take. Damage decrease depends on the amount of mana invested. For every unit of Mana invested in the spell, the shield will protect you from 9,9 (physical) damage.]
[A/N: Currently: WIS: 55 / MAG: 50 = 1,1 --> +2,1 Mana Regeneration per skill level]
[Mana Flux: Level 10/10 (MAX%) (Passive) The resonance between your skills is enough that if you cast more than one spell or use more than one skill at the same time, then they may induce each other. This induction allows your mana to gain a unique property. This property allows your spells to slip through magical shielding. Effectiveness depends on the strength differences between you and the target. Your spells gain 1% True Damage per skill level.
[A/N: Currently: WIS: 55 / MAG: 50 = 1,1 --> +3,1 Mana Regeneration per skill level]
Neutral Mage skills:
[Mana Unraveling: Level 14/25 (19%) (Active) You can spot even the smallest imperfection in the weave of the mana. If your control is better than the one who wove the spell, then you can attack those imperfections and unravel the spell or magic in front of you.]
[Spell Matrix: Level 40/100 (4%) (Passive) You mastered layering spells as very few have before. You can layer ( or connect any other way) together as many spells as you can. The cost of this action is increased by 5% (cumulative) for every two layers or spells.]
[Solid Spell Foundation: Level 5/5 (MAX%) (Passive) Your foundation is solid and unshakeable. The stability of layered spells is increased.]
[Mana Construct: Level 84/100 (22%) (Active/Passive) You can create mana constructs over your weapons. These constructs cannot be separated from your weapon. You have total control over their shape and size. For every level in the skill, the mana cost is decreased by 1% and the damage inflicted by the skill is increased by 1%]
[Simplicity: Level 5/5 (MAX%) (Passive) The simpler your creations, the less mana it costs.]
[Infusion: Level 5/5 (MAX%) (Passive) Infusing different mana types into your mana constructs becomes easier.]
[Complexity: Level 1/5 (11%) (Passive) The complexity of your creations doesn’t detract from it. Usually, mana cost would rise when the complexity of your creation increases. For every level of this skill this increase in mana cost becomes less and less.]
Elemental Mage Skills:
Wind Mage skills:
[Wind Blade III: Level 9/10 (99%) (Active) A spell that allows you to launch a blade of wind. The cutting power and speed of the blade are increased. You have greater control over its movement after creation. Allows you to slightly control its path after launching the wind blade.]
[Wind Blade Storm: Level 6/10 (7%) (Active) A spell that unleashes a storm of wind blades around you. The damage of the released Wind Blades depends on the Wind Blade spell and your mastery over it.]
[Wind Bullet III: Level 9/10 (99%) A spell that allows you to launch a bullet made of concentrated wind. You have excellent control over the projectile’s speed, size, and path.]
[Wind Explosion: Level 3/10 (21%) A spell that allows you to create a singular bullet of wind mana, and then fire it, which will, upon impact, detonate. The strength of the detonation depends on the amount of wind mana channeled into the bullet and your mastery over the Wind Bullet spell!]
[Wind Movement: 39/100 (19%) (Active) You can use your mastery over wind to move in any direction you wish. Your movement speed is increased significantly. This speed boost is increased by 1% for each skill level.]
[Wind Edge III: Level 9/10 (99%) (Passive) A spell that allows you to enhance the edge of any bladed weapon you wield with the wind. Thanks to the spell, the speed of your strikes will greatly increase. The power and reach of the blade will be greatly increased further.]
[Wind Affinity: Level 61/100 (17%) (Passive) You have a good affinity for the wind. Beings born of the wind will be more favorable to you. The cost of the Wind-type spells and skills is reduced and their power is increased by 0,5% for each skill level.]
- Wind Flurry
- Wind Bullet Barrage
- Healing Wind
- Wind Jump
- Wind Drill
- Wind Blade I-III
- Wind Blade Storm
- Wind Bullet I-III
- Wind Explosion
- Wind Movement
- Wind Edge I-III!
Utility skills:
Companion skills:
Shadow skills:
(Shadow Cloak triggers this benefit.)]
[Shadow Affinity: Level 30/100 (14%) (Passive) You have a good affinity with the shadows. Beings born of the shadows will be more favorable to you. The cost of the Shadow-type spells and skills is reduced and their power is increased by 0,5% for each skill level.]
Physical skills:
[Basic Armor Mastery: Level 91/100 (6%) (Passive) You learned the basics of wearing armor. Decreases the Stamina consumption slightly while wearing any kind of armor.]
[Clean Armor: Level MAX (MAX%) (Passive) Your mana got used to a certain spell, so the waste mana radiating from you will, over time, permeate and clean your armor.]
[Resistant Armor: Level 5/5 (MAX%) (Passive) Thanks to your practice, you can fully utilize everything that your armor provides, granting you increased resistance against the environment. Grants 2% increased environmental resistance per skill level. Environmental resistance protects against environmental effects only.]
[Durable Armor: Level 0/5 (0%) (Passive) You learned how to roll with the punches. This includes knowing when your armor can take a hit and when it can’t. Increased durability for any armor you wear from incoming damage from non-environmental sources.]
[Epic Breathing Technique: Level 9/10 (99%) (Passive) You breathe, and the world breathes with you. You move along your own rhythm. Decreases stamina consumption even more during any activity and further increases stamina regeneration when not in a fight. Gain +2 Stamina Regeneration for every skill level.]
[Tranquil Heart: Level 11/100 (54%) (Passive) Your heart beats to the same rhythm as your body. It’s efficient and harmonious. You have an even easier time resisting mind-altering effects and a portion of of those effects are reflected back to the source. The portion is 1% per skill level. You also radiate an aura of tranquility that confers the resistance portion of the skill to your allies near you.]
[Flow: Level 77/100 (9%) (Passive) Thanks to being a natural sensor, you can read the flow of the mana. Increases your stability and the bonuses any movement or martial art skill provides by 1% per level in the skill.]
[Focused Flow: Level 5/5 (MAX%) (Passive) When focusing on any enemy beyond what is normal, your ability to read their flow becomes clearer and more precise.]
[Controlled Flow: Level 5/5 (MAX%) (Passive) Your read of the flow is more controlled, allowing you to see the flow much better. Increases the flow visibility by 20% for every skill level.]
[Immersed Flow: Level 0/5 (0%) (Passive) When you start reading the flow a counter starts. After every ten seconds, the effect of the Flow skill increases by 1% for each skill level. Maximum 600 seconds.]
Parry: Level 24/100 (13%) (Passive) Decreases the stamina consumption of defensive weapon movements. It allows you to more efficiently and accurately parry incoming attacks. Decreases the damage of the blocked attack by 0,5% for each skill level at the moment of blocking.]
[Cleansed Body: Level MAX (MAX%) (Passive) Your body has been cleansed of impurities, giving you a more charming aura. NPCs and players will treat you slightly differently depending on their tastes. Gives a flat increase of +3 to STR, AGI, END. You can upgrade this skill by further cleansing your body.]
Resistance skills:
General skills:
[Dwarven Language: Level 5/10 (1%) (Passive) You managed to learn the basics of the Dwarven language.]
[Elven Language: Level 7/10 (8%) (Passive) You managed to learn the basics of the Elven language.]
[Dark Elven Language: Level 5/10 (1%) (Passive) You managed to learn the basics of the Dark Elven language.]
[Sarkan Language: Level 3/10 (42%) (Passive) You managed to learn the basics of the Sarkan language.]
Crafting skills:
Pet skills:
[Strong Jaw: Level Max (Passive) The jaw of the wolf is strengthened.]
[Lucky Aura: Level Max (Passive) Those who are in the same party as the wolf receive a buff to their luck. It depends on their luck how big the increase is.]
[Animalistic Mana Control: Level Max (Passive) The wolf controls the mana inside him based on animalistic instinct.]
[Animalistic Shadow Control: Level Max (Passive) The wolf controls the shadows around him just as easily as it breathes.]
[Shadow Spirit Body: Level Max (Passive) The body of the wolf is part shadows and part spirit, which makes it much more malleable.]
[Shadow Strike: Level Max (Active/Passive) All attacks started from the shadows receive bonus damage, and the wolf can clad itself in shadows, making its entire body into a weapon, while striking at an enemy increasing its range of attack.]
[Shadow Jump: Level 20/20 (MAX%) (Active) The wolf gains the capability to dive into your shadow and emerge from a different shadow. Range: 200 meters. Cooldown: 30 seconds.]
[Shadow Dash: Level 20/20 (MAX%) (Active/Passive) Wherever the wolf steps, he can leave small pools of shadows that the wolf can use to jump into. When diving into the shadows, the wolf can travel at an even greater distance with his speed increased by 2% for each skill level.]
[Shadow Claws: Level 20/20 (MAX%) (Active/Passive) Your companion’s claws are infused with the shadows. There is a low chance to leave behind shadow mana with each attack of their claws. Alternatively, they can actively increase this infusion of shadow mana and strike at their enemies with giant shadow claws.]
[Shadow Bite: Level 20/20 (MAX%) (Active) Your companion enhances their bite with shadow mana, increasing the area and strength of the bite.]
[Shadow Steed: Level 21/50 (3%) (Passive) Your companion has learned how to run while being ridden. Stamina consumption is decreased when being ridden and can carry bigger loads.]
[Shadow Bleed: Level 41/50 (8%) (Passive) Your companion’s claw has been enhanced by a chaotic shadow field which rends the area where the claws strike, causing extra bleeding.]
[Weakening Strike: Level 15/50 (21%) (Passive) Every strike of your companion's claw weakens the enemy's armor. The maximum stack of the effects is 3+1 per 5 skill level.]
[Shadow Heal: Level 21/50 (37%) (Active) Your companion can absorb the shadows hiding them to heal itself.]
[Runic Weapon: Level Max (Passive) The wolf’s claws and teeth are clad in runes that grant him a certain amount of ability to pierce through the impenetrable. Grants a 13% chance to do True Damage with the claws and teeth.]
[Runic Strike: Level 20/20 (Active) Lucky gains the ability to channel mana into the runes of his claws and teeth to enhance the damage theydo. The damage type depends on the type of mana he channels into it. Current natures are available to use: no attribute, shadow, or spirit.]