Kala takes a moment and looks at her notifications. Killing that cultist leveled her up, but no new skill. Without thinking about it she dumps her ten attribute points into constitution and then pulls up her User Sheet.
Name: Kala
Age: 25
Gender: Female
Level: 11
Experience: 42%
Synthesis: 88%
Race: Human
Focus: Xoria Master
Fame: 1500
Health: 270
Mind Energy: 330 (247.5)
Stamina: 120
Health Regen/sec: .4
Mind Regen/sec: 1.1
Stamina Regen/sec: .31
Strength: 12
Constitution: 27
Endurance: 12
Dexterity: 16
Agility: 18
Intelligence: 33
Wisdom: 33
Luck: 20
Base Melee Damage: 12-22
Base Ranged Damage: 0
Weapon Damage: Variable
Base Mind Power: 33
Base Armor: 2 (10)
Afflictions Resist Chance: Physical (15%) Mental (100%)
Critical Hit Chance: 19.31%
Critical Hit Damage: 150%
Traits:
Rebirth: If death occurs you will be reborn in your unbonded form, all levels and memories gone.
Xoria Quickening: You have a deeper connection with the Xoria than most living beings.
Effect 1: Synthesis level will increase at an exponential rate.
Effect 2: Xoria Communion
Scar of Hatred: Permanent. The scar will burn with pain when in the vicinity of the one that inflicted Scar of Hatred.
Perks:
Iron Mind
Meditation
Skills:
Heal: Level 3
Flare: Level 4
Analyze: Level 2
Meditation: Level 500 (Upgraded to a Perk)
Unarmed Combat: Level 1
Swords: Level 1
Bows: Level 4
Medium Armor: Level 3
Stealth: Level 1
Sneak Attack: Level 1
Perception: Level 1
Xoria Communion: Level 3
Consume Core: Level 2
Find Nuts: Level 2
Herbalism: Level 1
Reset: Level 500
Astral Projection: Level 1
Shroud of Peace: Level 2 (Active)
Sighing again, Kala gets up and changes into a blouse and slacks, they are of a fine material, but provide minimal protection, she dons a new cloak that Max left for her. Her Archer Set Armor that Jax had made for her is trashed. Hopefully Max will help her out in that department. Kala steps out into the hallway.
"Good morning, my lady." A guard addresses her. "Max has asked me to escort you the armory and then to the diplomat quarters within the keep."
"Thank you." Kala forces a smile for the guard. He looks familiar.
The guard hands Kala three dark-blue tokens, there is a different symbol stamped into the metal on each token. "Look at you, lucky. Those can be redeemed for one rare weapon and two rare pieces of armor."
Kala looks at the tokens in confusion.
"Just hand them to the Master of Arms and she will sort you out." He informs her.
"Ah, okay." Kala knows she should feel more excited about free loot, but all she can manage is a faint smile. She feels trapped in her own life. People keep herding her along, making choices for her. "Maybe I should just go along with it. I was created to serve..." Kala mumbles.
"I'm sorry, I didn't quite catch that, my lady." The guard looks at her strangely.
"Nothing. Don't mind me, I'm just talking to myself. It's been a long week." Kala forces another smile.
They walk through a maze of hallways and stairs for a few minutes.
"Max asked me not to speak of this, but I must. I remember you, my Queen. The whole kingdom mourned your death. I'm still stunned to see you again. I had no idea you had such power, to even overcome death. My heart leaps with joy to see you returned." The guard stops and then kneels in front of Kala.
Kala feels embarrassed and unsure as to what to do. "Please. Don't do that." Kala offers him her hand to help him back up. "I...don't know what to say...thank you. I'm not sure I am worthy of such things."
The guard pales, "My Queen..."
Kala holds up her hand, "Please, do not call me that. Just take me to the armory. Uh...your name is?"
"Barris, my lady." The guard tells her.
"Yes, that's right. You helped Max rescue me from the cultist. Well, Barris, lead the way." This time Kala offers him a genuine smile.
Barris' face lights up with a return smile, then he looks like he got a sour taste in his mouth. His eyes twitch as they glance at the scars on Kala's face. "Nasty bunch, those cultist. Especially that Mira. We believe she has the Stalker focus, but those Shadow Chains are something different..." Barris looks around nervously, "My apologies, I should not be speaking of such things out in the open." He fidgets for a moment, "Yes, um...if you would follow me, I will escort you to the armory."
They walk up to a large room, Barris holds his arm out to stop Kala. "This is as far as I can go. If you have any skills active, please deactivate them." He points to a silver metal that runs throughout the floor, walls, and ceiling of the room. High grade Suppression Security System."
Kala peeks into the room, there is a large desk with a...Kala whips her back around the corner to hide. "Is that a Langhu?"
"Yes my lady, that is the Master of Arms, Meela'los." Barris replies.
"You do know I can hear you both?" A woman’s voice says from inside the room. "Is that you Barris? Who is with you?"
"Yes ma'am. I have a special guest that Max sent to get equipped." Barris says with a smirk on his face.
"Well, stop squawking about out there and send them in." Meela'los yells.
Kala musters up her courage and walks into the room. She feels her connection to the Xoria suppressed.
Meela'los chuckles, "Well...I'll be damned. Just like Max to not let me know he was sending down our dead queen." Meela'los has deep red-purple skin, golden fine hair that is cut rather fashionable, with small horns peeking through on the top of her head. Her eyes are red and almond shaped with smoky makeup. She is wearing a black and red battle robe with black knee-high boots. Meela'los is one of the most striking women Kala has ever seen. Both terrifying and gorgeous. She smiles at Kala with a mouth full of wickedly sharp teeth. "Are you just going to stand there gawking at me, or do you want to hand over those tokens you have in your hand?"
Kala blushes and snaps out of her shock. "Sorry. I... um, I have..."
Meela'los stands up, a tail swishes behind her as she saunters over to Kala. She does a small bow to Kala, "My queen. I heard of your power of rebirth... quite amazing."
"Did we meet before... when I..." Kala tries to ask, but she falls all over her words like a toddler walking for the first time.
"No. I came to this kingdom a little after your passing as a refugee. I was the Master of Arms for my city..." Meela'los looks pained as she remembers her past. "...but The Caste destroyed everything. Killed my family. The Master of Arms for Tola'Val was killed with the rest of the Royal Family on that horrible day. I was taken in and worked my way up to where I am now. I recognize you from the statue in the courtyard."
"I'm sorry, Meela'los. I know all too well what monsters The Caste are." Kala says.
"Yes, Max informed the council of what happened in the village you were at." Meela'los and Kala stand there in silence for a moment regarding each other. Then Meela'los backs up a little, "Well, let me have a look at you."
Kala blushes as the striking woman looks her up and down.
"What is your focus? Well, wait. I'm getting ahead of myself. Let me see what tokens you have there." Meela'los holds out her hand.
Kala drops the three tokens into the woman’s hand. "I'm a Xoria Master."
&nb
sp; "Rare items. Wait, what are you? Never mind, are you mental, physical, or both? Or do you have a non-combat focus?" The horned woman asks.
"Well, I guess my main skill would be stealing the skills of others." Kala says.
"Hmm... like a Mimic? That's quite a difficult focus to work with. Years of study to absorb a skill." Meela'los walks back toward a vault door, her muscles bulging as she opens the thick metal door. She looks back at Kala, "Well, come on. Just don't touch anything, unless you wish to lose an arm."
Kala walks over and steps into the vault and gasps. There are rows and rows of armor, weapons, and many other items Kala can't identify.
Meela'los chuckles, "Looks like you appreciate loot just as much as I do."
"Um, I'm not a Mimic. Most of my skills rely on mental energy, also I'm level 11. I could probably use a chest piece and boots. As for a weapon...I'm not sure. I have an epic Alvinius bow already. I don't have a good bag and my Flux Inventory is almost full." Kala tells her, while ogling the items around her.
"An epic item? At your level? That's pretty unheard of, but being as you are who you are, I'm not terribly surprised. May I have a look at your bow?" She asks with a raised eyebrow.
"Sure." Kala removes the bow from her Flux Inventory and hands it over.
Meela'los takes the bow over to a raised platform that has a table on it. "Splendid. Yes... as I suspected...Second Tuqal Dynasty, Northern Alvinius..." Her tail swishes back and forth a little faster. "Would you consider trading this in? Seeing as you do not have an archer focus. I can give you a full set of light armor, all rare, plus I'll throw in a special bag." Meela'los gives Kala a predatory grin.
"Uh... you want my bow? I don't know... you said I can have a rare armor set?" Kala asks, considering the offer.
Meela'los laughs, "Oh goodness no, my sweet child, not an armor set. One epic can't cover the cost of something like that. I meant I could outfit you from head to toe, with different rare pieces, but not all from the same set. Do you understand?"
"Yes, I think so. Can you bring me the best stuff you think would work for me. Then I'll decide if I want to trade in my bow." Kala tells her.
"Have a seat. This platform allows the identifying of type of skills, but nothing else. Do you mind if I use Observe on you, so that I have a better idea as what to get you?" Meela'los asks.
"You aren't a secret agent with the Cult of the Wanderer are you?" Kala asks.
"Bah! As if. They don't allow non-humans into their special kind of crazy." Meela'los laughs.
"K, just checking. Go ahead." Kala says, she is starting to like this woman.
"Hmm...a Master focus, of course, why am I not surprised. You are... were the Queen. Not a lot of offensive skills, Flare has potential at higher levels. Consume Core, wow... that has good synergy with Reset, used properly you can gain two new skills a day. But... just because you can have a bunch of skills doesn't mean you will be more powerful. You need to find the right skills. Find Nuts?" Meela'los laughs. "I've never seen that one before, I bet that’s real useful." She says sarcastically.
Kala pulls out a few of the rare nuts she found.
"Rare nuts? You're going to make me eat my words?" The horned woman grins. "Alright, have a seat. I'll be right back."
About ten minutes later, the beautifully scary woman returns and lays out an assortment of items. Before Kala can start to inspect the items, she gets a pop-up window, and judging by Meela'los' face, she got the same notification.
New World Event Alert:
WAR
The Caste has invaded the continent of Ala'vis. Commanders are now able to access the War Menu. Gain allies, defend those that cannot fight, and triumph!
Quest Type: World Event
Difficulty: ????
Rewards: ????
Do you accept this quest? N/A*
This event is broadcasted to all, enemy and ally alike. The message will differ, depending on your side and your world view. You may choose to not participate, but this notification will not disappear until the event is over.
"Well damn. Looks like we need to cut this short." Meela'los says with a stricken face.
Chapter Sixteen: Sarvina Uils
~
I'm sorry...
I wake to Kala's sad voice, ringing in my ears.
"I'm sorry."
Coming out of the hazy realm of dreams, I realize I can't breathe. I go from hazy to violently alert, the instinctual animal part of my brain taking over. Sarvina is on top of me, choking me with her hands, an insane look on her face, a vein on the side of her head throbbing.
"I'm sorry."
I try and pry her hands off, but she is surprisingly strong. Then her face changes and she looks around confused. "What..." She releases her hands and I take in a deep ragged breath. Sarvina notices she is straddling me and rolls off. "I'm sorry."
"Y..." I try to say and then cough, my throat sore. "You said that a few times already." I say after I rub my neck.
"I was her for a moment..." She says, staring into the dying coals of the fire pit. She turns her head and meets my eyes. "The Cursed."
After a few minutes I stand up, dusting myself off. The trees around us drip with water from the storm that raged throughout the night. A pop-up window suddenly appears.
New World Event Alert:
WAR
The Caste has invaded the continent of Ala'Vis. Commanders are now able to access the War Menu. Destroy your enemies until not a single one lives. Show no mercy!
Quest Type: World Event
Difficulty: ????
Rewards: ????
Do you accept this event quest? N/A*
This event is broadcasted to all, enemy and ally alike. The message will differ, depending on your side and your world view. You may choose to not participate, but this notification will not disappear until the event is over.
"The Caste? This world has changed so much. Those sniveling servants dare to attack my homeland?" Sarvina says with a tone that only the supremely rich and privileged have.
"I must leave. I had hoped to use you to further my own power, but I can't trust you with that other woman living inside of you." I say, picking up my bag and walking away.
"Wait!" She yells.
I turn around and look at her.
"I can help you. We must stay together. I know so much, plus from your face I can tell we both have a shared hatred of The Caste." Sarvina says with a bit of desperation.
I narrow my eyes, "Why do wish us to stay together? You almost wiped out my group, and you were only level one. I'm sure you are much more powerful than I." I look at the strange alien woman, or I guess I am the alien, this is in fact her planet.
She sighs, "We have met before? You killed me?"
I hesitate, should I tell her the truth? She is now the same level as I am. Power is relative, a level 11 ant is still no match for a level 11 bird. "Yes, we found you in a Progenitor ruins. You were in some kind of stasis. You left us no choice but to kill you."
"I must have been her. Please, forgive me?" She asks me.
I stare at her coldly, "It is of no consequence, I have no use for forgiveness. I only seek to become stronger and destroy The Caste." I turn to leave again.
"There is a way for you to trust me." She yells at my back.
I wait, my back still turned to her.
"I will become your Companion. That will insure that I will be unable to harm or deceive you." She tells me.
"I already have a Companion." I say to her.
"Where? You seem to be alone. I'm sure there are many questions you must have about the Progenitors? My mind is fragmented, damaged and unstable. But I believe once our Companion bond grows I will become more stable and remember more." She stands up and walks over to me and turns me around to face her. "I noticed how you looked upon my body. I will be yours completely. I do not know if our bodies are compatible sexually, but I am confident I can please you." She steps closer so that we are almost touching.
&n
bsp; I grab her wrist and squeeze, she flinches with pain. "Do not try to manipulate me. Why did you seek me out?"
She smiles seductively and looks down at her wrist that I am squeezing. "You see, we both enjoy pain. I can see it in your eyes. There can be greatness from pain. I sought you out because I wandered this world for the last few months, lost. My people gone. I was alone. I stood before a great canyon, ready to throw myself into the jagged mouth of rocks below me. My foot hovering over the edge, even though I knew I would just return from death, I didn't care. Then I received a personal quest. A quest to find you." She steps closer to me, our bodies now touching.
I absently look down at my hand hurting her wrist. It's like my body acted on its own accord. Why was I driven to cause pain? I was never like this before. Was this...enjoyment for pain always there, or was it developed and twisted from my experiences?
I squeeze and twist her wrist harder and she lets out a sound of both pain and pleasure. She licks her lips, "Yes...I think we will be quite wonderful together. You may be saying no with your words, but your body is most certainly saying yes." With her other hand she grips my rock-hard manhood pressing against her. "Yes, I believe our bodies will fit together."
I step back from her, releasing her wrist. "How do I make you my companion?" If what she is telling me is true, I can still use her.
She smiles, like a cat who just caught a mouse. "First, tell me, how did you become a Thrall? I am...was, a member of the Royal Family. I could invoke my right to compel you, but that sounds so very boring, and I need the stability that the Companion bond will grant me."
"I do not know how I became a Thrall. I just came from a huge Progenitor facility that seemed to be some kind of military base. What does it mean that I am a Thrall?" I ask her.
"Hmm...I am so turned around. This world has changed, I do not recognize anything anymore." She looks around at our surroundings. "A military base, you say? Were there Personal Multi-Purpose Utility Pods?" She asks.
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