Dave looked upon the Weapons of Power vault. As the various fighters had made their way in, he and the other Dwarven Master Smiths had also ventured into the room to look upon the items that they and past masters had worked on, as well as look for inspiration for later projects.

Even as the Dwarven Master Smiths smiled and talked in excited tones to one another, there was a shadow in their voices and eyes.

They all knew what opening this vault meant, the impact that it would have on the world.

Dave heard a commotion as a few items were knocked over.

“Where is he? I can sense him!” An old voice said. Just by the tone of the voice, one could tell that the person speaking was slightly eccentric.

A staff flew out from between the racks.

Dave’s eyes widened at the staff.

With his Touch of the Land, he could sense the Mana that seemed to pour from the staff.

Its body was made of crystallized Mana. Along its length, there were carved scenes from every Affinity: flames, thrads of light, waves, bark, smooth stone and rough as raging air currents. These six different surfaces all intermingled together, coming to form six different pillars that extended out of the top of the staff, turning into red, green, black, white, blue and gold creating a cage around a perfectly spherical grey crystal.

This staff halted in mid air, pausing before rushing towards Dave.

“You’re not him! Who are you?” An old voice filled with suspicion came out of the staff as it stopped in front of Dave, starting to revolve around him, studying Dave.

“A talking staff?” Dave muttered to himself, studying the creation in front of him.

“Archmage Jekoni, this is Dave Grahslagg,” Kol, who was nearby, said in a respectful tone, seeing Dave at a loss of what to do.

“Why can I read Jung Lee’s Mana signature on you?” A light was emitted from the staff, displaying a wizened old Gnome who was about five foot tall with a classic wizard hat and robe who then floated up to look at Dave face to face.

Dave’s eye twitched at the Gnome’s appearance.

The robe was much too long and the Gnome, while trying to be serious, had to flip his head so that the tip of his well used wizard’s hat didn’t fall in his eyes.

“Even in my damned spiritual form, this hat can’t stay straight!” The Gnome pulled the hat off, throwing it on the floor.

“I’ll deal with you later!” He pointed at the hat. It started to use the brim to try and escape!

Even the damn hat’s animated!

Dave looked to Kol in confusion.

“So, Jung Lee, where is that medicinal nut?” Jekoni asked.

“Umm, err well, we rescued him from the Six Affinity Temple,” Dave said.

“Rescued him?” Jekoni frowned.

“He was trapped there with six different free Affinity spirits fighting for control of his body,” Dave said, recovering from the shock.

Just then, the hat started to climb his leg, as if hiding from Jekoni.

Dave shook his leg, but the hat clung on for dear life.

Jekoni’s face was dark as he stroked the faint hairs that made up the wisp of a beard he had.

“Well, let’s go see the old bugger. Been awhile since I was able to talk to anyone from my time period! Those old Elves have always been an uppity and boring bunch. You Dwarves only got interesting after the last couple of centuries. Quite the improvement if I do say so myself!” Jekoni announced.

Dave looked to Kol.

“Best to go take him to Jung Lee. He’s harder to reason with than an enraged Goblin,” Kol advised.

Dave made to open his mouth.

“We can handle the rest here,” Kol said, waving down his words.

“Well, let’s be about it! Also, have you got any soul gems. Old charge is a bit low,” Jekoni said.

Dave sighed, feeling something on his shoulder.

The hat was now resting on his left shoulder, seeming completely happy with itself.

Dave pulled out a grand soul gem and passed it to Jekoni.

Jekoni didn’t make any sign of taking it. Instead, a force pulled the soul gem to the staff, the glow of the grey crystal and blue staff became brighter as a stream of multi light was pulled from the soul gem.

The soul gem was exhausted in a few moments.

“Hmm, interesting, a rechargeable soul gem. Holds a bit back to maintain the structure of the soul gem. Smart that. What is this? Magical circuitry, or some kind of variation?” The soul gem rotated in front of Jekoni as he stared into the depths of the soul gem.

“It’s called magical coding, a simplified version of magical circuitry,” Dave said, a smile appearing on his face under Jekoni’s words.

Jekoni made an impressed noise. With a wave of his hand, the soul gem disappeared. A ring around the shaft of the staff glowed. It was an integrated spatial ring within a smooth area on the staff that someone could hold onto.

Dave was impressed with the staff. Even with his current skills, making something similar would be a massive undertaking.

“Lead on to Jung Lee! Been in here too long,” Jekoni said, his eyes moving to the hat on Dave’s shoulder.

“Hat!” Jekoni said in a firm tone.

The tip of the hat moved from side to side giving off the feeling of a petulant child saying no to it’s parent.

“Hat,” Jekoni said, snapping his fingers as his voice lowered.

The hat resisted for a few moments before reluctantly leaving Dave’s shoulder and floating over slowly to Jekoni. It felt as if it was pouting the entire way as it landed on Jekoni’s head.

Jekoni settled the hat on his head when the tip of the hat promptly fell down in his face.

“Hat!” Jekoni complained, flicking the tip out of his face, only to have it come back and fall on his face again.

Jekoni mumbled some angry curses and promises before the hat reluctantly flipped the peak backwards and out of Jekoni’s face.

It seemed to be amused with itself and Jekoni’s reaction.

Dave sensed Jekoni’s annoyance and moved to leave the vault. The staff floated next to the Gnome, following Dave.

Dave nodded to the Dwarven Masters guarding the door. Their looks turned slightly fearful as they saw the staff following Dave.

These Hidden Masters that could have been the top fighters in the Dwarven Tournament shivered in the mere presence of the staff and accompanying Gnome.

They quickly moved back through Aldamire. Jekoni looked around the mountain, an unreadable expression on his face.

Dave also looked around. The city within the mountain was suspended on wires much like the Dwarven Benvari Mountain.

There were refineries that added a deep orange glow to the lowest levels in the mountains.

Greenhouses coated the inner walls of the mountain, while light was reflected through a series of mirrors and tunnels into the light globes which were glass spheres with metal fragments held within.

They created miniature suns that lit up the inside of the mountain.

Unlike Benvari Mountains, there was a greater number of armed shield bearers wandering around. Aldamire might be the greatest stronghold of the Dwarves, but that didn’t mean it couldn’t run without the support of a dozen War Clans.

If one was to look closely, they could see where the massive Dwarven artillery rested, hidden within the mountain so that they couldn’t be seen by approaching armies.

Aldamire had one of the longest histories on Ashal. Few people could live on Ashal without being overturned, either by a beast horde or an opposing force.

“Things have certainly changed while I’ve been relaxing in the vault, going over the Dwarves’ information,” Jekoni said. Instead of sounding pensive, he seemed excited, as if once again returning to a world filled with new experiences and adventure to be grasped.

Dave looked at Jekoni with interest as their elevator stopped, a large corridor leading to the exterior of the mountain and the areas where the final arenas were located.

“It is indeed a strange and wonderful place,” Dave said, walking forwards.

Jekoni floated alongside him, the staff to his side.

As the doors opened, Jekoni’s eyes seemed to shine with joy, the corners of his lips turning into a smile.

Realizing his facial expression, Jekoni’s face changed once again into a gloomy expression.

Dave smiled slightly and led Jekoni towards a restaurant that Party Zero and their friends said they’d be eating at. There were people all over the place, partaking in the festivities at the end of the Dwarven Tournament.

Dave passed through the crowds, people remarking about Jekoni and the staff as they passed.

While some coveted the staff with their eyes, seeing Dave’s necklace that displayed his status as a Dwarven Master Smith made them quickly avert their eyes.

Dwarven Master Smiths were rare and revered people among the Dwarves. Taking something that belonged to a Master Smith or their friends while within a Dwarven Mountain was just asking to get your ass kicked.

Dave’s smile grew wider as he heard Dwayne, Josh, Kim, Alkao, Steve, Anna, Gurren and Lox all in a loud argument about the last fight in the Dwarven Tournament.

They were sitting outside, enjoying the warm early summer weather, half of the table in quiet conversation and nibbling on food, while the other side argued and counter-argued about how the fight could have gone differently or how it would have had the same result regardless.

Jekoni’s eyes thinned, looking through the group before his eyes fell on Jung Lee’s back.

He raced forwards, a mischievous smile on his face, his staff following.

Jung Lee frowned, making to turn around as he heard a voice from behind.

“Where is that homework, Mister Jung! I thought you said you’d have that thesis on the combination of medicinal formulas and strength increase over time on my desk three centuries ago!” Jekoni said in a furious tone.

Jung Lee whipped around, spilling wine that he had been drinking.

“Archmage Jekoni?” Jung Lee said, his eyes latching onto the floating Gnome before he let out a hearty laugh.

“Looks like your spiritual integration worked, you gnarled sapling!” Jung Lee pronounced, his proper manner of talking disappearing in front of the Gnome.

The Gnome let out a laugh, his lined face breaking into a smile.

“Was a right pain in the flesh, but once I started, I finished!” Jekoni’s eyes narrowed as he looked over Jung Lee with interest. “It’s as the boy said, I can sense all of the Affinities and none of them within your body. Seems that you’ve kept your youth!”

Dave’s appraisal of the Gnome went up slightly when hearing these words. Even though Jekoni knew that Jung Lee had every kind of Affinity within his body, much like Dave, he couldn’t sense their power or type.

It took not only mastery of arcane sight but arcane skills to be able to see Jung Lee’s Affinities.

Jung Lee simply nodded, scratching his head awkwardly.

“Looks like you suffered greatly to command that power,” Jekoni said, his tone becoming soft.

“It was a long time,” Jung Lee replied with a sad smile. “What great things do not come with great suffering?”

“Hmphf, sounds like you’ve become a bit more refined in your time away. Bit too boring for my tastes!” Jekoni said.

“I’ve spent enough time in one place. If it was not for this upcoming event, I would be wandering freely. In fact, my friends have been helping me to understand what is going on in Emerilia,” Jung Lee said waving to the people at the table.

Jekoni had a thoughtful expression on his face.

“I have heard something of this event,” Jekoni’s tone was dark.

“It will indeed be a battle the kind that we have not seen before,” Jung Lee’s face was solemn, though there was a hint of excitement in his eyes.

Jekoni tugged at the corner of his mouth, a fire in his eyes as his staff started to vibrate with power.

“Well, I couldn’t let you have all the fun. It’s been some time since we went into battle. Shall we do it again?” Jekoni asked.

“You’re a spiritual body,” Jung Lee said, confused.

“I’m also a Weapon of Power,” Jekoni smiled as runes started to glow over his hat as it went upright.

The hairs on Dave’s neck rose as Mana gathered in the air. People looked over in interest as a glow started to envelope the magical staff.

The cage of different colored Affinities opened, releasing the grey sphere.

As it separated, a domineering feeling of wild Mana filled the air.

Dave recognized this feeling, it was the same as his own Affinity! Wild and Affinity-less Mana.

The staff shook as the crystal started to move and change shape, as if it was a liquid.

The staff formed into the shape of a sword with only one sharpened edge and curved at the end. It looked like a thicker katana, with no guard between the blade and hilt. The blade was covered in a sheath that matched with the hilt. Where there would have been a string for grip, now there were six different threads, each the color of a different Affinity, as they reached for the end of the weapon. The six pillars that made up the grey sphere’s cage extended as the grey sphere turned into an ovoid, inserting itself once again into the cage, embedding itself into the blade’s hilt within the six pillars.

The sheath made from crystal dimmed as there were three lines on either side, each showing the same symbol of the threads.

Jekoni looked much older after the light dimmed and the sword moved to Jung Lee.

Jung Lee received the blade with both hands.

“Well what do you say?” Jekoni asked, his breathing hard as the runes on his hat dimmed and the peak slowly started to fall backwards.

“Are you sure?” Jung Lee asked.

“You were a good student. Even though you didn’t aspire to be a mage, you went further than many that underestimated you to develop the field of alchemy. I am an archmage that has practiced with grey Mana for three lifetimes. Where am I going to find another student able to learn how to control all of the Affinities with ease and with the drive to persevere?” Jekoni asked in a soft voice a smile on his lips.

Jung Lee’s hands tightened around the sword, Jekoni’s life’s work and the container for his spiritual body.

“If you would teach me, I would be honored to be called your student,” Jung Lee said, holding the sword out as he got to both knees and bowed his head.

Jekoni smiled and coughed, Dave saw the flash of emotions on Jekoni’s face before he was able to hide them.

“Get your knees out of the dirt, will you,” Jekoni grumbled, but even his serious tone couldn’t hide the glow in his eyes.

Jung Lee rose to his feet.

Jekoni’s hat flipped over, falling in his face.

“Oh, you damn hat! I’ll recircuit you, I swear!” Jekoni yelled, pointing at the tip of the hat, cross-eyed as he looked at it.

It flipped back over as people laughed at the comical sight.

Jekoni glared upwards, an annoyed expression on his face.

Jung Lee laughed, his eyes filled with mirth.

“I can’t believe you added in Hat to your spiritual body. I knew that you couldn’t part with that thing,” Lee grinned.

“Damned nuisance is what he is!” Jekoni said.

The tip of the hat stood up from it’s slumped position as if arguing with the indignant words of it’s owner.

Lu Lu squawked as if agreeing with the hat.

Jekoni’s eyes swept through the bar, looking at where the noise had come from.

His wrinkled face went flat as his jaw dropped.

Faster than one could blink, he was next to Suzy and Lu Lu.

“A lightning phoenix. I only heard of this in lore passed down by the Pantheon and the Grey God!”

Jekoni looked over Lu Lu that was eyeing the spiritual body of the Gnome in confusion, cocking her head to the side.

Jung Lee smiled and shook his head. He pulled out his old sword from his waistband.

He smiled, putting it into his pouch of holding.

He pulled the new blade free from its sheath, its blade looking like it was made from a soul gem. It glowed with moving motes of light.

There was a sharpness and strength to the weapon, despite its beautiful and fragile appearance.

Many people around the Stone Raiders’ table looked on in envy at the magnificent blade held within Jung Lee’s hands.

Dave pulled out a couple of grand soul gems as Jung Lee studied the blade, weighing it in his hands.

Jung Lee looked up from his daze.

“Looks like it could use a charge,” Dave said with a smile.

“Would you do me the honor?” Jung Lee said returning the smile.

“Are you sure?” Dave asked.

“We both know you’ve wanted to study this blade as soon as it was made,” Jung Lee laughed.

Dave didn’t try to deny it as he held out his hands. Jung Lee passed the blade to him. Dave looked it over a screen appearing in his vision.

Blade of Grey

Formed from the Staff of Grey, this legendary item was created by Archmage Jekoni from his own spiritual body’s container. This weapon is best suited for a six Affinity user, or grey Mana practitioner.

Quality: Weapon of Power

Abilities:

Can retain spiritual body of holder. Current spiritual body: Archmage Jekoni and companion ‘Hat’.

Increased command of all Affinities making up the sword (+20%)

Wielder’s Willpower increased (+25%)

Spells are 5% more powerful when used with the Blade of Grey. Affinities stack (i.e., using 2 affinities = 10% power increase, all Affinities = 30% power increase).

Grows in power through use

Soul Bound

Two as One (Legendary ability)

Charge: 15,700/1,000,000

Durability: 1,247/1,247

Dave looked at the blade in shock. Even with his mastery as a blacksmith, he wasn’t able to understand the material that made up the blade. He saw elements of heavy metals as well as soul gems and mana. It was as if someone had taken solid Mana, and melted it together with a soul gem to contain the power and heavy metals to direct it. He shook his head.

Even with everything I know and have done, I still don’t know everything.

Dave smiled to himself, taking the grand soul gems, pouring power into the staff, bringing it up to half charge.

He didn’t notice Jekoni that looked over as his staff, now sword, was getting charged, a look of interest on his face.

Dave handed the sword back to Jung Lee once he’d charged it.

“Thanks for letting me study it,” Dave said sheepishly, knowing his face had probably been filled with childish awe as he looked over the sword.

“With all of your machines and different items you and the others have been able to show me, it feels good to surprise you,” Jung Lee chuckled.

“That reminds me, when we were attacking the Six Affinity Temple a second time, when we got to the Affinity spirit controlled shades, they attacked us outside of their range,” Malsour interrupted.

Jung Lee tilted his head looking to Malsour.

“I think it might have been because I wasn’t there. Was there someone on the throne?”

Malsour looked to Dave who closed his eyes, thinking backwards to what his Touch of the Land had sensed.

With his high Intelligence, his mind was like a computer with past saved files of all he’d done.

“I think that there was,” Dave said after a moment.

“When I was sitting on the throne, I had some command over the Affinity spirits. There was less control over the free Affinity shades as they were stronger and had more will.

I never tried to exert any control over these creatures as I was fighting my inner Affinities. However, if someone has spawned in to take my place on the throne, then it might be said that they could control creatures of less power than themselves. While the free Affinity spirits are indeed powerful, they are not sentient. If they were, they would have left the Six Affinity Temple long ago. They are strong beasts with incredible reflexes and power. As with all beasts, they submit under the power of the strongest.”

Dave and Malsour glanced at one another.

“I wonder what the mob that replaced you would be like,” Dave said.

“What would happen if you were to return in your current state?” Malsour asked.

Jung Lee opened his mouth to reply, before closing it. It was some time before he replied.

“I am not sure,” Jung Lee shrugged. “I might be able to exert some control over the creatures that reside in the Six Affinity Temple. I might equally have to fight them in order to gain access to the temple once again.”

“Controlling them, could you possibly move them out of the way?” Dave asked.

“It is possible,” Jung Lee said, not sounding as if he truly believed his words.

“Would you be willing to try?” Anna who was nearby asked.

“For those that rescued me from that prison, I owe many favors. I would do this for you. It would also give me an opportunity to vent my inner frustrations,” Jung Lee said.

“However, I have one condition.”

“Name it,” Anna said.

“I am new to my current body and power. I might have to go all out to test it out and remove the one at the peak of the temple. I do not want too many people to see my new true strength. As such, I would only like the people of Party Zero to be with me,” Jung Lee said.

Dave looked to Anna and Malsour in the conversation, all of them nodding to the other.

“We can agree to these terms. The rest of the party will agree, too,” Dave said, vouching for the others that had become akin to his family. He would naturally know their reactions.

“I look forward to it,” Jung Lee gave a faint unsmiling smile, a hint of coldness in his dark eyes.

Finally, after uncountable years, he was going to be able to unleash his strength and vent his rage at the very place that took his freedom away for so long.

Jekoni was circling Steve, his eyes glowing as he did so.

“I never thought that so many things would change while I was within the vault,” Jekoni said tapping his chin as he inspected Steve.

“Who’s the floating midget?” Steve said, a big finger making to push Jekoni’s head away. Instead, his finger went through Jekoni.

A complicated expression appeared on Steve’s face.

“You’re a ghost! I knew that they were real!” Steve cheered, jumping up and down, sending tremors through the restaurant.

“I am not a ghost. Those are just animated ectoplasm with a faint animalistic reaction system,” Jekoni chided. “I am a spiritual body incarnation.” Jekoni said in a haughty manner.

“Sooo, high class ghost?” Steve said a confused look on his face.

“If I’m a high class ghost, then you’re an upgraded garbage can!” Jekoni said, waving a thin and gnarled finger at Steve.

“That’d be cool, mean I’d get some more storage,” Steve grinned.

Jekoni let out a frustrated noise as Jung Lee cleared his throat.

***

First Elder Houx’Rei looked up from her meditation as a bright golden light flooded her senses.

Who dares attack me within the First Elder chambers of Markolm!

It had to be known that in Markolm, the island of Elves, the majority of which were High Elves, was controlled by a council of Elders. The strongest and most powerful of which was the First Elder.

Every eight years, the position of first elder was vacated and one on the council of elders was elected into the position of First Elder. It was largely based on the strength of the Elf and their overall age.

A terrifying aura filled the floor, causing Houx’Rei to be unable to move from her seat.

If she had been standing, she would have been struck to the floor under the power of this aura.

Cold sweat ran down her back. She was a level fifteen hundred talent! Someone suppressing her to this degree must have been at least a hundred levels more powerful. Her eyes widened as the golden light faded slightly to reveal a woman that would have stirred many men’s hearts and a number of women’s with her beauty.

That outward beauty was only further refined by her serious expression and the displeased look on her face.

People would sacrifice their lives in order to make her smile again.

Her golden eyes looked upon Houx’Rei with distaste, her golden armor shining in the approaching nighttime.

Houx’Rei’s eyes were not wide because of her beauty or the armor that exuded its own powerful aura.

Her wide eyes were glued to the twin blindingly white and pure wings that extended above and to either side of the Angel.

“Khan...un..dra,” Houx’Rei said. The combination of massive wings, the three powerful beasts released from captivity, the woman’s beauty and power. All of these things allowed her to make this guess.

“Seems that you have not forgotten everything,” Khanundra sneered, as if looking at an unsightly blemish on an otherwise perfect landscape.

“I have come to pass on a warning,” Khanundra’s words were cold as she looked at Houx’Rei. Her aura decreasing slightly, leaving Houx’Rei panting.

“This warning is to all of the believers that have been turned away from the Lady of Light, the rightful goddess of Emerilia. They need not fear as their goddess has returned,” Khanundra’s eyes sparkled with fanaticism and belief in her goddess.

Houx’Rei had seen all manner of people. Of them, those like Khanundra were the worst in her mind.

They believed that everyone had been led astray from their right and proper religion. That once everyone followed the teachings of her deity, that they would be forever grateful.

They called it bringing people to their religion, finding them purpose. Instead, it was just their way of acquiring more power and feeling as if they had accomplished something.

They didn’t really care about their religion as much as they showed their devotion to it. They were devoted to the idea of power, power that came from having others follow their ideology.

If anyone was to argue against them, or take on another religion, there was nothing that would change their mind. They were losing the basis of their power! If they didn’t have it, then they didn’t want anyone else to have it.

Houx’Rei used mental controls to open her interface, unseen by Khanundra. It would record and transmit everything that she and Khanundra said.

“Those that follow the Lady of Light are free to do so, I will not tell them who to hold in their hearts,” Houx’Rei said.

Khanundra’s eyebrow rose as her golden eyes turned cold.

“Are you not the leader of the people on Markolm? Do you not command this nation’s armies and fleets?” Khanundra said, her voice icy.

“I might control the military power, but it is my position to try and carry out the people’s will. Not be the one to determine it,” Houx’Rei said, her voice becoming tight as Khanundra’s aura pressed down on Houx’Rei once again.

“The Lady of Light was right when she said that the people of Emerilia had lost their way in our absence,” Khanundra spat.

“We found it, out from under the control of the Pantheon and their tools,” Houx’Rei wheezed after spitting out the last word. Her body pressed into her chair once again.

“If you’re not with us, then you’re against us,” Khanundra said, slowly stepping forwards. Houx’Rei could sense the boundless anger she was faced with.

“In all that time, you still remained blinded. At least the Demons found their way,” Houx’Rei held a note of sympathy within it.

“Demons, you think Demons are better than me and my kin!” Khanundra yelled, her voice filling the room, her wings expanded out in fury.

“You may kill me, but you will not kill the spirit of my people. We might have been blinded in the past, but now we can clearly see. You and the gods do not determine our fate or our paths. It is our strength of will to fight against our circumstances, to push ourselves forwards that makes us strong,” Houx’Rei propped herself up on her seat, her calm and collected features now red as veins popped out across her forehead and down her neck.

“Then, there is no need for you,” Khanundra sneered, she turned her wing lashing out, its white feathers leaving a red line on Houx’Rei’s neck as she slumped into her chair, blood straining her simple robe.

The strike had been so fast that not a drop of blood had landed on Khanundra’s wing.

She looked down on the first Elder of Markolm as if wanting to spit on the dying woman’s body.

Houx’Rei never thought that she would die this way. Her thoughts ended with hope and anguish.

I hope my people and Emerilia are strong enough to resist these Angels and the monsters that will be released upon the lands.

With that, the First Elder of Markolm died, her lifeless eyes looking towards the ceiling of her office where she’d worked for her people for six long years.