A soft but painful swaying of my body is the first conscious sensation I experience. It’s dark, but Colt seems to be… Talking to someone? There’s a glowing purple stone floating in front of us.

“Take the path to the left next.” A strange voice echoes out from the crystal.

“Got it, thanks.” Colt grunts back to him, concern and anger fill his voice in equal parts.

“Morning sunsh-” SLAP! Colt is staring at me, fury filling his eyes.

“I am sick and tired of you risking your life like that, you’re not allowed to talk right now. I’m carrying you out of this cave.”

He whispers a word and my mouth seems to seal shut. His lips move once more. The world goes quiet. My cheek throbs where Colt slapped me.

In the silence, I’m left to only my thoughts. Guilty ones. ‘Man, I fucked up. Colt is pissed.’ Opting to distract myself from both the pain I’m in and all my guilt, I bring up menu after menu with The Construct to update myself on everything. The fight is highlighted finally.

Level up! For the creative use of your skills and perks, your Talent: Fledgling Anchorist has reached (30/50)!

For reaching your fifth Talent milestone in Fledgling Anchorist, you have been awarded applicable stat points to Strength, Endurance, Dexterity, Willpower and + 150 XP. In addition, you have been granted the Perk: Radar Sense

Skill level ups have occurred, check the Skills menu for further details!

Conditions Acquired: Severe Bleeding, Total Body Puncture Wounds, Compound Fracture - Humerus, Ulna, Radius, Scapula, Clavicle, Sternum, Ribs 1-5 Bilaterally, Punctured Lungs...

Conditions Cured: Severe Bleeding, Total Body Puncture Wounds, Compound Fracture: Scapula, Clavicle, Sternum, Ribs 1-5 Bilaterally, Punctured Lungs...

No wonder my arms still throb painfully.

Palemetal Sailfish defeated! 10,394 XP awarded!

Palemetal Sailfish dropped: Palemetal Scale.

Quest conditions complete! Return to Ilmarinen to receive your reward!

Level up! You have achieved level 14, you are awarded 5 unallocated stat points, +0.1 HP regen, +0.2 MP regen, +10 MP, +1 Strength, +3 Endurance, +1 Dexterity, +1 Intelligence, +1 Attunement, +1 Willpower, and +4 Insight. 8135/3043 remaining to level 15.

Level up! You have achieved level 15, you are awarded 5 unallocated stat points, +0.1 HP regen, +0.2 MP regen, +10 MP, +1 Strength, +3 Endurance, +1 Dexterity, +1 Intelligence, +1 Attunement, +1 Willpower, and +4 Insight. 5092/3457 remaining to level 16.

Level up! You have achieved level 16, you are awarded 5 unallocated stat points, +0.1 HP regen, +0.2 MP regen, +10 MP, +1 Strength, +3 Endurance, +1 Dexterity, +1 Intelligence, +1 Attunement, +1 Willpower, and +4 Insight. 1635/3913 remaining to 17.

For reaching your first stat milestone in Insight, you have been awarded the Perk: Shaper’s Insight

Staring at the rocks of the wall, my brain starts to hurt. If I focus hard enough, I can see the makeup of the rock, the alignment of all the atoms that make it up. It gives me a headache. Back to the checkup.

‘Status.’

Status:

Lucas Creo

Age: 22

Race: Human

Status: Compound Fracture - Humerus, Radius, Ulna.

Level: 16

Exp: 1635/3457

HP: 34/690 (3.2 HP/min regeneration)

MP: 12/645 (2.85 MP/min regeneration)

Strength: 37

Endurance: 46

Dexterity: 29

Intelligence: 25

Attunement: 33

Willpower: 31

Charisma: 11

Insight: 52

Stat points: 70

‘50 Insight must be the milestone. Talents.’

Talents:

Fledgling Alchemist (14/50) - Applicable stats: Dexterity, Intelligence, Attunement, and Insight

Fledgling Anchorist (29/50) - Applicable stats: Strength, Endurance, Dexterity, and Willpower

Fledgling Chef (2/50) - Applicable stats: Dexterity, Endurance, Charisma, and Insight

Fledgling Enchanter (8/10) - Applicable stats: Intelligence, Attunement, Willpower, and Insight

Fledgling Mage (13/50) - Applicable stats: Intelligence, Attunement, Willpower, Insight

Fledgling Blacksmith (6/50) - Applicable stats: Strength, Endurance, Dexterity, Insight

Fledgling Craftsman (5/50) - Applicable stats: Strength, Endurance, Dexterity, Insight

‘Looks good. Perks.’ With mental focus, I bring up only the new ones I haven’t seen before.

Perks:

Inscriber’s Touch

Description: Your flesh works as well as an inscribing pen. Enables you to channel your mana and Willpower to inscribe enchantments upon any material. MP regen increased by 0.2. +0.2 MP regen per level up.

Radar Sense

Description: Your mind operates like a radar, sense the area around you by sending out radar pulses. Insight increased by 2, +2 Insight per level up.

Shaper’s Insight

Description: Gain insight into the makeup of the world. You now can focus and understand an object at the atomic level. Higher Insight levels allow for easier understanding. Insight increased by 1. +1 Insight per level up.

Shaper’s Instinct

Description: You now instinctually understand the space around you. With focus, you can determine precise measurements of the environment around you. Capabilities increase with higher Insight levels. Insight increased by 1. +1 Insight per level up.

Tempered Body

Description: Your flesh and bone have been tempered. The natural durability of your flesh is enhanced. Your bones can handle significantly more tensile strength. Endurance increased by 2. +2 Endurance per level up.

‘Is there a whole series of ‘Shaper’ perks? Skills’

Skills:

Batten Down - (Level 7) - Summon the visage of your vessel. Like battening down a ship in the storm, this skill will protect the user and those included inside from outside forces. Initial cost: 37 MP. Sustained Cost: 2 MP per 5 seconds. MP costs scale with force sustained.

Crashing Wake - (Level 25) - Move with the force of a ship on the water. Leave a wake of water in your path. This water is magical and will fade minutes after use of the skill. Initial cost: 12. Sustained Cost: 1 MP per 5 seconds. MP costs scale with speed of travel.

Devastating Impact - (Level 27) - Empower your blows with the force of mana. Dramatically increase the weight behind your attacks and improve crushing power. Cost: 10 MP

Geokinesis - (Level 2) - Control the earth around you. With the power of one’s mind and will, the earth can be shaped. Cost scales with quantity and complexity.

Hydrokinesis - (Level 2) - Control the element of water. Use the power of your mind to shape and control water. Cost scales with volume and complexity.

Pressure Shot (Level 2) - A pressurized beam of water. Cost scales on the volume of water and force applied.

Mana Manipulation (Level 14) - The innate control of the mystical energy, Mana. With one’s mind and will, this energy can be shaped to any specific need. This skill governs all subskills under it in terms of control, growth, and strength.

Mana Bolt (Level 5) - A ball of mana with explosive power. Cost: 5 MP Mana Bubble (Level 4) - An augmented form of Mana Shield that covers the entire body in a bubble of mana. Decreased overall protective force but grants full body coverage. Initial Cost: 10 MP Sustained Cost: 3 MP per 5 seconds. MP costs scale with force sustained. Mana Bullet (Level 6) - A mana bolt condensed into a small area giving it higher stopping power. Cost: 5 MP Mana Dart (Level 12) - A mana bolt condensed, thinned, and pointed at one end. Lowered impact damage but increased piercing. Cost: 3 MP Mana Shield (Level 8) - Mana condensed into a flat disc. Able to be moved with force of will. Initial Cost: 7 MP Sustained Cost: 1 MP per 5 seconds. MP costs scale with force sustained.

Marlinspike (Level 2) - Send out condensed mana in the form of a marlinspike to tear apart bindings. Cost: 15 initial, scales with difficulty of binding.

Meditation (Level 8) - Allows one to go into a state of serene calm that increases mana regeneration by 0.8/min. Cannot perform any other actions while meditating.

Mooring (Level 7) - Causes an Anchorist’s anchor to form a rope of mana which will ensnare those it is thrown at. Can also be used for mobility. Cost: 43 MP

Plot Course - (Level 24) - Allows the user to set beacons at set intervals, plotting their course to their destination. Moving towards a beacon grants a quick burst of speed. Only the user of this Skill may see the beacons. Cost: 3 MP

Pyrokinesis - (Level 6) - The element of fire is at your command. Enforce your will over flames to shape and control them. Cost scales with size and complexity.

Candlelight - (Level 1) - Produce a small flame on the fingertip. Initial cost: 0.1 MP Sustained cost: 0.1 MP per 5 seconds. Flame Swathe - (Level 3) - Unleash a stream of flames from your hand in a targeted direction. Cost: 24 MP Fireball - (Level 5) - Produce a ball of fire with explosive force. Cost: 25 MP

‘Damn, my anchorist skills are leveling up like crazy. I need to practice my magic more often.’ Setting that as a goal, I look up and note that I can see light. Finally, we've reached the exit of the cave. Sound returns to my ears and my lips unseal. Colt stares at me, looking slightly guilty.

“Sorry I Silenced and Deafened you. It’s Fae magick I gained when I um, leveled up. ...I was really pissed. Lucas, please don’t do something reckless like that again. Now, let’s see if I have enough Wild Magick left to get those arms back in working order.”

He casts several Stardusts on my arms. It hurts but the bones shift back together as my HP rises and falls. I’m assisting the process with Echinodermal Flesh, which has HP and MP costs.

“I think I’ll be fine for now at least, they’re not totally healed but they’re better. ...Thanks for carrying me out of there.” Colt looks into my eyes for a moment before looking away.

“You’re welcome.” His voice is almost a whisper. ‘Jeez, I really upset him this time.’

Our trip back to Ilmarinen’s is blessedly uneventful. About halfway back, I question Colt about the floating purple crystal.

“W-what do you mean, I-I don’t have anything like that!” I give him a long stare.

“I saw it when I woke up, right before you Silenced and Deafened me.” The gears in his mind are clearly spinning behind his eyes.

From his pocket, the same voice as before resonates out. “It’s fine Colt, tell him.” I raise an eyebrow at him. He blushes green.

“Oh uh, THAT crystal! I thought you meant… Something else.”

Colt raises a hand, the purple crystal floats out of his pocket and projects a purple image of a man. “This is Pasivier Heliothyst, before me, he was the Last of The Fae.”

Pasivier bows to me. “The pleasure is all mine, Lucas Creo. Colton here has told me plenty about you. I’m his mentor.” Colt mumbles something about how he told Pasivier to call him Colt.

“Well, now I know why you were spending hours outside training!” Colt seems confused.

“You’re not… Mad? I kept this secret from you.” I laugh at him before stopping because laughing hurts right now.

“No! I’m not mad! Dude, this was a secret you needed to keep, it wasn’t yours to tell. I understand. We’re cool.” He’s looking at me, guilty this time.

“But are you su-” His words are cut off as a roar shakes the trees near us. A figure leaps out.

Compressursus

Traits: Compression

Description: This bear has the ability to compress air using the gem on its body. It can use these air constructs offensively or defensively.

The colossal, greenish-yellow bear begins barreling at us, a gem of the same color glinting on its chest. “Colton, I shall protect young Lucas here, show me what you have learned.” In a swirl of purple and yellow light, Pasivier is next to me.

He grins at me and a field of energy surrounds me. “Can’t have you interrupting, sorry!” Colt looks annoyed, but it seems that it’s typical behavior for his mentor. He turns to face the giant bear.

“Come at me you giant fucking tennis ball!”

His eyes seem to detect something I can’t see. A wall of earth rises in front of him and shatters as an invisible force hits it. “Ugh, wind magic, so troublesome when you can’t see attacks coming. Not a problem for our little Colton though, eh?” Pasivier smirks at me and turns back to the fight.

The bear swipes a paw, colliding with a summoned mass of vines and roots. Colt performs a back handspring, gaining distance from the bear. Midair during his tumble, he punches several compressed stone bullets with his gauntlets.

They pelt into the bear causing it to roar. “Since when could Colt do acrobatics?” Pasivier glares at me.

“Since I taught him. A Fae is to fight with style, poise, and grace.” He scoffs and turns away.

With a continued charge, the bear is chipping away at Colt, using various air constructs to do so. His movements to dodge are filled with grace. His feet dance across summoned vines. He practically skates along a spire of earth. It’s not enough, however.

The bear is gaining on Colt, breaking through his quickly-made defenses. Bullets of air pelt into his body. He grits in pain but lifts two fingers at his side. Spires of earth slam into the bear, toppling it over. “Graceful finish, Colton! Show me your Magnum Opus!”

Colt glares at him but jumps into the air. Wild green energy swells around him. He pulls out the dagger I made him. “Realm of Brambles: FAE THORN!”

His body blurs forward with his swing. A large thorn forms around his arm. He meets his target. An explosion of magic and force tears apart the bear’s body. Brambles and thorns cover the entire area.

“Bravo Colton! Bravo! Lovely finish!” Pasivier is clapping thunderously and then holds up… A scorecard?! “I give you an… 8.2 out of 10 for that performance!”

Colt is breathing heavily, pale and exhausted from that last attack. “As a reward, I shall restore you both.” With a snap of his finger, stars of yellow and purple light twist around me. My HP returns completely to full alongside my MP. My arms snap back into place.

Conditions Cured: Compound fracture - Humerus, Radius, Ulna.

Your arms have broken and healed many times, but they are stronger for it. You have gained the perk: Reforged Arms.

My arms feel more… Pliable? Giving them a few test movements, they feel better than new. Colt looks equally restored. “...Thank you Pasivier, I appreciate the healing.”

He looks at me for a moment, turns to Colt, and promptly ignores me. “What a splendid performance Colton! I’m proud to call you my apprentice!” Colt blushes and acts dismissively.

“Nonsense you were fantastic. For now, let's return you to that dreadful cephalopod.”

He flicks his hand towards us. His celestial energy surrounds us, the world shifts and my stomach turns.

Landing on the ground, we’re in front of Ilmarinen’s house. I retch, teleporting feels horrible. Colt looks completely unaffected. “How are you not… How did it not?” He stares at me, confused.

“What do you mean? I didn’t feel anything. ...Let’s just get inside, you can rest in there.” The door to Ilmarinen’s house slams open, he’s standing at the door. He looks extremely on edge.

“What was that presence I detected? That power… That was something far higher level than I.” He looks legitimately scared.

Deciding distracting him may be best for now, I pull out my bag of holding. “No idea. Ilmarinen look, we got what we were looking for!” The contents of my bag immediately grab his attention once I pull out an enormous white metal scale.

“That… I knew there was rare metal in that cave but… This be Palemetal! A lost art!” Running his arms over the scale, he takes it from me. He closes his eyes for a moment, a pale energy slides over the metal.

“This be true Palemetal, not a fake.” I stare at him for a moment.

“Okay, that’s neat and all, but what is Palemetal?”

Ilmarinen looks downright offended at me. “The best metal to grace the world! It be an alloy of adamant, mithril, and orichalcum! The art for alloying this here metal be long gone! Lost to time!”

His excitement is visible. He rushes over to his blueprints, pulling out several until he finds the one he wants. “This be the one. I shall make ye the finest anchor man has ever seen! I may not be able to make my own Palemetal, but I can smelt this down!”

Colt sheepishly walks up to Ilmarinen. “I got a few things too… If you still could make me something?” He shows Ilmarinen the gem from the compressursus and the tempestwing bat leather.

Ilmarinen takes them off his hands. “I have a few ideas lad, I shall make ye something fine! There should be enough Palemetal left over that I may use it for this as well!” Colt looks excited at the prospect.

“Thank you Ilmarinen! I really appreciate it.”

With Ilmarinen distracted, Pasivier’s teleport spell is forgotten. He’s too excited to be working with Palemetal to remember or care now. I turn to Colt.

“Can we make dinner? I’m starving. Ilmarinen’s jerky makes my mouth feel like a barren salt flat.”

Colt smiles and laughs. “You’re right, it does, I’m starved myself. Also, I get the memo, I’ll go make dinner.”

“Thank you!” I give him a big, cheesy smile.

Resting on the couch in the main room, I finally relax for a few moments. Colt has a mentor, and I have a mentor. Things are looking up for us. My anchor may be shattered but my spirits aren’t.

Besides, Ilmarinen is going to make me a kickass new one out of some strange, magical metal. In moments, however, my thoughts turn hazy. I wake up later to Colt kicking me.

“Hey, captain asshole, while you napped I slaved away in the kitchen and made you dinner.” He indicates to the table where some kind of bird is sitting for once instead of fish.

Dashing to the table, I start digging in, thanking him through a mouthful of food. Our dinner goes quietly, we’re both too tired to talk.

After dinner, Ilmarinen approaches me. “Lad, I’ll be needing yer help after ye get a night’s rest. Rarely does a blacksmith work with Palemetal even in their lifetime, I shan’t let you miss this opportunity.”

Nodding to him, my excitement grows. “I’d be honored to help out! Thank you, Ilmarinen!”

“Yes yes very exciting, now go wash, ye stink!”

Smelling myself once more, I gag, it’s a mix of blood, sweat, and various other odors of nature and water. Grabbing myself a new pair of clothes, I walk into the bathroom.

Lost in thought, I reach for the knob only to have my hand meet another hand. “Oh! Colt!” We stare at each other for a moment before aggressively entering into a Rock, Paper, Scissors contest. In the end, I win with an unexpected Paper call.

“Damnit! I wanted to shower first!” Colt looks defeated. Giving up, I step aside.

“You go first, those puppy dog eyes are killing me.”

He looks at me like I’m an angel descended from the heavens. “Thank you.” He says quietly as he steps into the bathroom, slams the door shut, and I hear a series of locks click into place. I think I even hear a chair skid across the floor and get placed under the knob.

It’s probably an hour and a half later when Colt finally leaves the bathroom, looking highly refreshed. I glare at him from across the room. He feels my stare, turns to me, sticks his tongue out, and walks into the bedroom. “Asshole.”

Walking over to the bathroom, I step into the wall of steam, enjoying the heat. Taking my time, I enjoy the blisteringly hot water, letting it soothe my tense muscles.

I don’t know when, but I eventually wake up to a poke on my arm. Colt is standing in the bathroom, shielding his eyes with his hand, poking me with a stick.

“Ilmarinen said you need to get out, you’ve been in here for two and a half hours. He sent me in to get you. I was sleeping!” Noting Colt’s clothes, he’s in the cotton pajama pants that Ilmarinen provided us.

“Oops, sorry, I’m exhausted.” I go to stand up before he exclaims.

“Woooooooah dude, let me leave first.” He sprints out of the bathroom and slams the door shut. Was he blushing?

My skin feels weird from soaking too long, so I grab a towel and dry myself off. After getting dressed, I head into the shared bedroom, I’m asleep as my head hits the pillow. Tomorrow, work on my weapon begins.