Second Skin: Unified: A litRPG Adventure (Second Skin Book 3)

by M Damon Baker

  Control – Effect varies, applies to all Sintári Abilities. – 37%

  Protector Abilities

  See Truth – Once per day, the spoken words of your target become visible to you, allowing you to see the truth held within them. Strength and duration of this effect increase with proficiency. Cost – 60 Aura. Modifier – Wisdom. – 21%

  Spells

  Enhanced Sight – May be cast on self or ally. Improves visual acuity of the recipient in dark or obscured conditions. Cost – 20 Aura. – 47%

  Create Trap – Place a magical trap upon an area. Size, type and trigger of traps is determined by your proficiency. Cost – 40 Aura. – 53%

  Elemental Arrow – Your next arrow is imbued with elemental energy and causes additional elemental damage accordingly. Cost – 30 Aura. – 28%

  Bolt – Release a Bolt of pure Lightning at your target(s). Cost – 40 Aura. – 24%

  Find Weakness – Highlights vulnerable points on the target. Modifier – Intelligence. Cost – 80 Aura. – 10%

  Summon Elemental – Summons an Elemental creature. If you succeed in binding it to your will, the creature will serve you faithfully until the spell’s expiration. Modifier – Charisma. Cost 100 Aura. – 18%

  Shield – May be cast on self only. Manifests a forward-facing barrier against incoming projectile attacks. Duration and resistance of the barrier are based on proficiency and modifier value. Modifier – Constitution. Cost – 80 Aura. – 1%

  Skills

  Bow – 54%

  Critical Hit – 42%

  Blades – 34%

  Long Sword – 37%

  Short Sword – 29%

  Dagger – 26%

  Critical Hit – 29%

  Two-Handed – 30%

  Pole Arms – 14%

  Spear – 23%

  Armor – 32%

  Medium Armor – 37%

  Perception – 45%

  Environmental – 46%

  Identify Enemy – 48%

  Identify Person – 39%

  Combat Dodge – 25%

  Subterfuge – 30%

  Stealth – 35%

  Find Trap – 11%

  Disarm Trap – 8%

  Set Trap – 10%

  Manipulation – 38%

  Persuade – 50%

  Barter – 31%

  Survival – 24%

  Tracking – 26%

  Identify Creature (Beasts) – 19%

  Skinning – 16%

  Field Dress –15%

  Alchemy – 19%

  Herbalism – 31%

  Potion Craft – 27%

  Lore – 3%

  Identify Magical Item – 5%

  Gaining four full levels from the battle was pretty astounding. The Commander’s Bonus meant I was going to receive an incredible amount of XP from any battles we engaged in. While I hoped to limit just how many of those we were forced to fight, it wouldn’t take too many of them to elevate me to a truly high-level status. Even now at level thirty-one, I was well-beyond the lower levels and comfortably within the mid-tier range, and I was already beginning to almost abandon some of my original talents in favor of focusing on my more advanced skills. As I closed the window to my personal sheet, I wondered idly over the possibilities of the even more powerful talents I might uncover in the future.

  You have chosen the armor bonus for me, Sintári. Why did you do this? I thought we discussed this before?

  ‘We did, Bane,’ I sent back to him. ‘But my other options were not as compelling this time.’

  He started to glare at me, and I responded by stroking his head and neck while pressing him back down to lay upon my chest. He gave in reluctantly and resumed his soft purring after only a moment of hesitation. After the incredibly taxing day, Tási had already fallen asleep and Bane and I soon followed her into slumber’s soft embrace.

  9

  The next week seemed to pass in a flash as we not only continued our repairs, but also began the important work of establishing our community. Ilvain put together a team of carpenters and began building homes and farmsteads within the valley. His efforts were aided immensely due to his foresight in bringing all the necessary equipment for a small sawmill with him. The tools allowed him to quickly process the huge pile of timber Ridge had gathered and that our logging teams continued to add to.

  A group of dwarves had also ventured into the valley to inspect the caverns Tási and I had discovered there. When they reported finding plentiful metal deposits within both of them, two separate mining teams were dispatched to begin harvesting the resources. Although Hilgreth and Renn still had plenty of metal to work with for now, the supply of scrap we had obtained after the battle would eventually be exhausted. Having our own mines would be invaluable for us to maintain a ready supply of material for their forge.

  For their part, Hilgreth and Renn worked tirelessly to reforge not only the parts needed to create a new drawbridge, but to also fashion a new portcullis to replace the badly warped and damaged one we had lost during the battle. I tried to inspect their progress repeatedly, but the two of them insisted that I wait until the project was completed before they would reveal their work to me. They had done so much for our community that I was compelled to abide by their wishes and stopped trying to sneak a peek over their shoulders—or at least I did after Hilgreth caught me the first time.

  Ridge’s repairs only took him a day or so, as the damage was not as bad as we had feared. Once he had restored the stone passageway, he began constructing the additional above-ground barracks for our non-dwarven defenders. The two buildings took longer to complete than I would have thought, but I realized why when I reviewed the plans.

  The structures were not merely housing facilities, but they also contributed to the garrison’s defenses as well. The roofs of both buildings needed to be heavily reinforced as they were designed to serve as platforms for a pair of catapults. The weapons supplemented the ballistae on the walls and in the towers, adding their incredible firepower to our defenses. When it was completed, the armory’s roof would also be home to a defensive weapon, in its case, a trebuchet that could fire large projectiles high over our walls and into the midst of any approaching force.

  The array of weaponry was impressive, but would not be the end of the enhancements that our first line of defense was destined to have. The elf King’s plans called for a pair of watch towers to be added atop the cliffs, providing a commanding view of the entire countryside. Alongside those towers, and well outside the reach of any opposing force, would be a battery of siege weapons that could rain death and destruction down from the lofty heights. Those defenses were a long way from being built, however, as were any of the plans involving the additions on the plateau high above us, but once they were added, I doubted anyone would be foolish enough to assault our position again.

  Ridge had almost completed construction of the second barracks, and the stonemasons were smoothing out the rough edges on the first by the last day of that week. Most of the elves had retreated into the valley, moving their temporary camp to the green lands they found so much more comforting than the rocky confines of the canyon. Many still remained behind, however, honoring their commitment to share the hazardous responsibility of manning our defenses. I was heartened to see my people taking their shared responsibilities so seriously, and it gave me hope for the future.

  Between rushing about and following up on all of the details that the construction and improvements required, my companions and I might have had little time together. However, once I saw how well our first day went, I insisted that we halt our errands in the late afternoons and spend the rest of each day together. We were no longer under any imminent threat, and our citizens were more than capable of overseeing much of the work themselves, and I refused to let the opportunity to be with each other pass without seizing upon it.

  We spent our time together training and talking about the various issues of that particular day. Our discussions not only helped coordinate our effort
s but also reinforced the bonds of our friendship. Between our physical separation and the demands on our time, we had spent too much time apart, and the simple sharing of our days with each other quickly brought us all back together again.

  The time spent practicing my talents was also extremely helpful for me as well. During that week, I was able to raise all of my proficiencies to the maximum limit of 20% that training allowed. The advancement put me in as good a position as possible for the next challenge we might face, and I truly appreciated my companion’s willingness to help me get there.

  The days flew by, and I realized that our celebration was rapidly approaching. Tási and I had agreed to wait until after the party was over before delving into her in search of whatever lay dormant inside her, but before either of those events, there was one urgent task that I was determined to see to.

  Early one afternoon, I surprised Venna as she was organizing her makeshift infirmary. The last of the wounded had long ago been healed, and she was simply making sure the place was generally in order. I passed her the large basket I was carrying before taking her by the hand and leading her outside.

  “Where are we going?” Venna asked, glancing at the basket and then back at me again in confusion.

  “Lunch,” I smiled back at her. “Just you and I.”

  We walked through the canyon and into the valley beyond. As I guided her to our destination, we passed a few of the elves who were busy planting the first few crops and building their new homes. The sight of my people starting their new lives brought smiles to both our faces, and we continued on our way happily.

  With no impending threats, we had taken to wearing just our simple clothing and carried only a pair of daggers between us. In our light garments, the slight afternoon breeze kept us cool and made the long walk pleasant.

  Eventually, we came to the peaceful offshoot of the valley where we had discovered the elf King. I had declared the area off-limits to anyone but my companions and myself and knew that we could spend our time there undisturbed.

  I led Venna to a small clearing beneath the trees where the sunlight played among the shadows from the leaves above. It was the perfect location for our picnic lunch, and we spread out the large blanket I had packed away before laying out the food and wine.

  We shared a light meal of fruit and cheese, washing it down with the strong elven wine. Venna looked at her glass curiously after taking a few sips, and I answered the question that I knew was on her mind.

  “Yes,” I said as I held her gaze. “It’s the same wine.”

  The last time we had shared a bottle of wine was back in Oróna, when she had unsuccessfully tried to arrange a tryst for us. I had to resist her at the time, due to my lack of control back then—something that was no longer an issue for me.

  Her eyes widened as she realized the true reason I had led her to the secluded location. Almost reflexively, she took another deep sip of wine and her hands trembled as she set the glass down.

  I slid closer to her and gently stroked her cheek. Even though I held back my impulses, Venna’s eyes stared back at me and I saw the conflicted look within them, as her desire fought with apprehension in her gaze. She had tasted the power I held within me, and while it certainly enticed her, it also made her wary.

  But I had learned how to moderate the harshness of that power and gained a large measure of control over its wilder nature, so as I trailed my fingers across Venna’s face, I let the slightest tendril of my desire filter into her. Just like with the orb of emotion I had used before, I stripped the harshness from the tiny rivulet, and left only the warm sensation of my craving gently flowing into her. Her warm breath brushed against my face as she exhaled a deep sigh of longing, and I felt the desire building within her through the tiny stream of passion as I gently guided her down to lay upon the blanket.

  I sat beside her and let the tips of my fingers trace along the gentle curve of her face, channeling the thin tendril of passion as I followed it’s contours down to her neck. She was an amazingly beautiful woman, and it required no special powers for me to feel attracted to her, but despite how much I’d anticipated this very moment, I reined in my own desires, choosing to focus on Venna’s pleasure instead.

  I had waited a long time for this day to finally arrive, the day when I could let Venna truly know how I felt for her. Not just my raw physical desire, but the deep feeling of love I had for her as well. I was not going to let these precious few moments we had pass too quickly either—I fully intended to make every second count, to draw out her pleasure and ensure that she sensed my desire flowing through her during every single moment.

  Venna let out a soft moan as my fingers trailed down her neck. Her soft skin magnified the power of the subtle ecstasy I was trickling into her, and I felt the heat building inside her as she responded more fervently to my touch. When my hand grazed the collar of her shirt, I gently tugged at the button until it came free between my fingers.

  As the fabric of her shirt parted for me, I let my fingers continue on their inexorable journey down the center of her body. One by one, her buttons yielded, and Venna’s passion grew more intense as my fingers slid slowly down along the smooth skin of her chest.

  I didn’t pull her shirt open; instead, I left it to simply drape over her, exposing just a thin strip of bare flesh down the center of her torso. Venna’s desire burned hotly within her as my fingers trailed lower and I unfastened even more of her buttons. I felt her urging me on, craving even more from me, but I wanted this to last, to prolong her ardor for as long as possible, so I resisted her impulses, and kept to my slow, deliberate pace.

  Watching her body react to my touch stirred my own passion. Although her responses were subtle and languid, they were filled with a desperate sense of desire that only spurred me on and kindled my own passions even further. Seeing her quiver and writhe in response to the delicate web of passion I weaved along the soft contours of her body fueled my own cravings as my hand brushed across her flawlessly smooth skin.

  Venna’s body trembled beneath me as my fingers strayed across the firm muscle of her abdomen. Her anticipation grew intense as the final button of her shirt came loose and my fingers brushed across her midriff before sliding beneath her waistband. Her disappointment was palpable when I didn’t unfasten the clasp there and traced my fingers along her waist instead, but Venna’s passion flared instantly as I let my hand slide beneath the fabric of her clothes, grazing along the edge of her undergarment as I followed the contours of her body.

  Venna responded powerfully to the experience of my touch in such an intimate area. Her hips rose, and her body shivered in ecstasy, and I had to soften the intensity of the desire I was sending her to prevent it from finishing her too soon. She let out a soft gasp as she recovered, and I felt the mixture of frustration and longing within her as I withheld her pleasure. I kept my hand still for a moment, pressed against her skin, giving her the time she needed to regain herself before letting my fingers wander again.

  Venna began trembling beneath my touch as soon as my fingers traced across her skin once more. The tight muscles of her stomach quivered in a near-desperate sense of anticipation while I let my hand glide over her body, until my touch grazed along the narrow outline of her waist.

  The movement of my hand had pulled the tail of Venna’s shirt along, and it fell from her as I reached across her body, exposing her shivering stomach and the slight curve of her hip. I began trailing my fingers up her torso, following the arc of her skin and pulling her shirt free as my fingers traced along her side. Venna’s body was slowly revealed to me as the shirt fell away, and when I finally traced along the outline of her collarbone, the entire side of her chest lay naked before me in the dappled sunlight.

  Sunlight and shadow played over her silky skin as I stopped to simply take her in. I had seen her naked only once before, and that was all too briefly. Now, lying on the blanket in the quiet little glade, I stared at her openly, admiring her perfectly sculpted beau
ty.

  Venna’s eyes opened slightly and she looked up at me while I was admiring her. She knew exactly what I was doing, and a smile curled up the corners of her mouth as she reached one hand up to pull off the other half of her shirt for me. The sight of her slowly revealing herself almost caused me to lose control, and I struggled to keep my own passions in check. It took just a moment for me to regain control, and once I reined myself in, I began to finish what I had started. I had carefully planned out exactly what I wanted to do, and I was anticipating the finale I had in store for her.

  My fingers slowly resumed their exploration of Venna’s body, gradually wandering down her chest before tracing the outline of her breast. I let my passion flow into her just a little more as I caressed her delicate skin and gently tugged at her nipple.

  Venna’s body responded immediately, trembling with desire as the passion inside her began to burn. The subtle parting of her lips as she let out a soft moan was too much of an enticement for me, and I leaned in, pressing my mouth to hers, and kissed her deeply. Her tongue slid over mine like soft silk, and I fed even more of my passion into her through our kiss. I had driven her right to the edge of release before, and the overwhelming flow that coursed through our lips drove her well beyond that limit.

  Venna shuddered as her climax came over her and she pulled her mouth away from me and buried her face in my chest, stifling her cries ecstasy. Our lips pulled apart, but my hand still cupped her breast as I continued to feed into her orgasm, only letting the passion slowly fade when I felt her reaching her limits.

  When Venna let out a final sigh and collapsed onto the blanket beneath us, I laid down beside her and wrapped her in my arms. She returned my embrace, and we held each other for a while as the sunlight and shadows played over the two of us.

  “Is it always like that?” Venna whispered to me softly after a while. “So… intense?”