Chapter 36- Black Goo 2.0

Morpheus sprouted his wings and flew over the mangrove with Fuzz on his shoulder, he didn’t trust the ground with one bare foot.

Eventually they found a Bulgur circling around a mound in the swamp, littered with trees. Morpheus brought down Fuzz from his shoulder.

(Bulgur, Level 113)

“Ok Fuzz, bulgur.”

Fuzz transformed into the gooey bulgur, it really was disgusting. The black goo seemed to be liquid like but stuck to his skin.

Fuzz in bulgur form opened his mouth and the tentacle slowly came out with its flaps open. Morpheus placed his hand on the bottom of the tentacle and stared into Fuzz’s eye.

“You good buddy?” He asked.

He got a gurgle in response.

“Sweet.”

Morpheus and his new pet bulgur crept slowly towards the green bulgur. Morpheus crept while Fuzz seemed to slosh the water around his feet, creating more noise than bulgurly possible.

This caught the enemy bulgur’s attention and it let out a screech in their direction.

Fuzz stepped in front of Morpheus and two tentacles shot out of his mouth, aiming straight for the bulgur’s legs.

It tore them both off completely and the enemy bulgur fell down, black blood sprayed everywhere.

Morpheus snapped out of the quick performance his shadow just performed. He used Arcane Step to get in close and enhanced Pride of the War Orc with Arcane Strike, he brought his axe down across the mouth. The bulgur went limp.

Amazing! You have slain (Bulgur, Level 113) For killing an enemy 20 levels above your own additional experience has added.

You have levelled up Arcane Strike Level (20) (Evolve possible)

You have levelled up Level (83) (2 stat points available)

He looked up to see Fuzz absolutely ripping the poor bulgur in pieces with his tentacles.

“Hey buddy it’s dead.”

Fuzz gurgled and carried on, Morpheus just sat down on the mound trying to ignore the gruesome sound. He assigned his two points into agility, as the stat still didn’t sit right compared to his other stats.

He could now evolve Arcane Strike, he racked his brain to think of what it could evolve into. ‘Absolute Strike, Heavy Arcane Strike, Killer Strike’ He thought.

He just suggested yes.

Skill evolution in progress, achievements and stats have been analysed.

Skill transformed to UNIQUE.

‘Congratulations’ you have created a new passive skill called ‘Viking Blood Axe’. You may apply a ‘Blood Axe’ mark on any type of axe.

Viking Blood Axe

The edge of your axe becomes coated with the blood of your enemies, the more enemies slain, the sharper and stronger the weapon becomes.

Would you like to apply the Viking Blood Mark? Y/N

Due to creating your own skill you have been given the Title ‘Skill Creator’ +10 Intelligence, +5 Wisdom

Morpheus was speechless, he had just created a new skill. A Viking skill of sorts, Loki had told him he had Viking heritage but he was still shocked.

He picked up Pride of the War Orc and placed it on his lap. He suggested yes and his right hand began to glow a golden red.

A rune began to form, from the glow around his hand. It was one of the magnificent things he had ever seen. It was the Norse Mythology symbol, the three triangles encased by a tree which bent around it in a circle. It was in front of his palm, only an inch away. He moved his hand slowly and the rune followed it, he scrutinised the edges and the intricate details of the symbol.

He was brought back to reality by the sounds of Fuzz’s tentacles slurping on the corpse of the bulgur.

“Hey Fuzz cut it out.”

Fuzz stopped and transformed into a shadow, he bounced over and onto Morpheus’s shoulder.

Fuzz too became fixated on the symbol.

Morpheus took a deep breath and placed the rune on the blade of Pride of the War Orc.

It glowed brightly, almost blinding Morpheus. The axe began to get hot, hot enough it melted the skin on his legs. The young chimera jumped up and the axe fell on the mound with a thud, it even began to cook the dirt beneath it.

A few seconds later the glow died down and Brevair’s axe was no more, the colour and details had completely changed.

The shaft was patterned with red and black leather, leading up to the top. At the top were two sharp knives pointing away. The two circular blades had a deep purple colour, and stained on one of them was the symbol.

He looked close into the haft and saw multiple images, war orcs, himself and the battle of the bording.

He gently picked it up.

‘Blood Axe of the War Orc’ This is a unique weapon moulded by the achievements of Morpheus Nvos. This item is soul bound to Morpheus Nvos. This item is linked to the skill ‘Viking Blood Axe’, in order to evolve this axe you must absorb the blood of 10,000 enemies. Self regenerating. Cost~Unknown, Rarity-Unique, State-New.

0/10000 enemies slain.

“Holy fuck, what I have I just made.” He said out loud.

The axe felt sturdier in his grip, the axe felt heavy yet fluid and the edge was much sharper.

The young chimera quickly flicked through the rest of his messages, trying to find more details about his new axe. His eyes landed on soul bound, ‘could no one else use this’ he thought.

“Hey fuzz, Pilocal.”

“Ok, now try to hold it.” He said.

Fuzz held out his two little paws above him, Morpheus gently placed the axe between both his hands, but still held his hand close just in case something happened.

The axe just fell under Fuzz’s paws, he quickly grabbed it before it crushed his shadow.

Morpheus slightly smirked. ‘A knock off Mjolnir.’ He thought.

Morpheus swung his axe around, it moved with such passion, Valkyries Flow made his movements even more graceful.

“Hey fuzz, wanna test it?” He asked.

Fuzz transformed into the bulgur and gurgled happily.

“You’re getting better bud.”

The two set off into the swamp, Fuzz taking the lead. Morpheus listened out for other adventures fighting or taking, the young chimera feared for them rather than Fuzz.

The two hunted for the rest of the day, the bulgurs didn’t stand a chance against Fuzz’s new form. It was definitely handy having a mutated bulgur taking their legs out and Morpheus with his new axe cutting deep into their body.

Morpheus grew wings and Fuzz transformed into a bird and flew with him over the swamp and towards Southcross.

He got a lot of looks as he walked through the city with just one bare foot but at least they weren’t staring at him because he was a chimera.

He found his way back to Celene’s house, to find a group of people in the courtyard.

The guard looked happy to see him which was strange.

“Sir Morpheus, welcome back.”

“It’s nice to be back, what’s with all the people?”

“The other candidate is here, for the one fifty place.” The guard said.

“Who is it?” Morpheus asked.

“A noble’s child from Fort Cidra, as you can see he travels with a large entourage.”

Morpheus just raised his eyebrow

“What’s with you being so nice to me?”

The guard looked down slightly embarrassed.

“Tim told us when you left that you are the Chimera of the Bording.”

“Oh yeah, you don’t want to piss me off. I’ll send a three hundred alpha war orc to your house.”

The guard froze.

“I’m fucking with you, he’s really nice actually.”

The guard let off a slight chuckle. “I heard that thier village is going to become a standpoint in the Bording.”

“That is great news actually, and is that Draghaul guy coming?” Morpheus asked.

“Yes, Celene told us that you will be all going to her restaurant and he will be there. What I would do to shake that man's hand.”

“Is he that famous?”

“More infamous for causing absolute chaos in the brothels and taverns in Southcross.” The guard said while smiling.

“You’re making me nervous now.” Morpheus said.

“Anyway, good luck tonight. Miss Crownwell came in an hour ago.” The guard said while opening the gate.

“Thanks, how am I meant to introduce myself to this noble guy?”

“You better get changed first.” He said while looking down at his bare foot and laughing.

Morpheus rolled his eyes. “Bulgur.”

“As I imagined.” The guard said.

Morpheus walked past the gate and tried to make his way around the group of twenty people with boxes of cargo around the front door.

They all looked at him extremely oddly, since his bare foot and cheap armour didn’t really suit the whole feel of the wealthy.

Nevertheless he walked passed with his head held high and entered into the house.

He walked in to find a man with slicked back blonde hair talking to Celene.

Celene looked at him but quickly looked away as he was in a state.

He quickly walked around them and out into the wooden house at the back. He found Tim placing tea and food on the table on the patio.

“Hey Tim.”

“Good afternoon Morpheus how are you.”

“Good good, I was wondering if you had any spare shoes? I just don’t want to meet anyone noble looking like this.” Morpheus asked.

“Of course.” Tim said looking down. “I’ll fetch them for you in a moment. May I suggest you wear the clothes I gave you.”

“Yes I definitely will.” Morpheus said, and walked off towards the house.

Morpheus quickly got changed into a lilac and black suit and he looked in the mirror in his room.

His face looked slightly more manly, a slight stubble had grown on his face. His body matched the sharpest of his jawline, he just smiled to himself. Even though his red tinged hair did not match the lilac and black suit, he couldn’t really care.

A knock came on the door and Tim handed him a fancy pair of black shoes. Ones he defiantly wouldn’t wear for fighting.

“Do you have any boots as well? Sorry to be a pain Tim.”

“Morpheus it is my job to serve, I’ll leave a pair of our finest in your room when you go to meet the other candidates.”

“That’s brilliant thank you.”

Morpheus quickly changed into the fancy shoes which were comfy, but he still much preferred his boots. He followed Tim to the patio where he saw Celene chatting to the nobles child.

“Ah Morpheus, you must meet Charles the nobleman. The candidate for the one fifty.”

Charles stood up and extended his hand for Morpheus to shake it.

Morpheus did. “Nice to meet you Charles, I heard you came from Fort Cidra.”

“Yes indeed, and I heard you come from Paradisio Island.”

Morpheus looked confused but a side eye from Celene made him realise that he was indeed from Paradisio apparently.

“Yes, a wonderful island it is.” He said.

Celene interrupted them. “I’ve closed down the Golden Hare for a meal, would you like to come as well. Draghaul will be there as well.”

“Yes indeed, I would like to meet Draghaul. I’ve heard a lot about him.” Charles said.

Celene cracked a weak smile.

“He is very famous amongst the people of Southcross, he lives up to his name.” Celene said weakly.

“Well I will freshen up for the meal now, it’s nice to meet you Morpheus, and thank you for the opportunity for me to represent House Baylor, Lady Celene.”

“It is my pleasure Charles.”

Charles walked off and began barking orders to his entourage in the hallway.

“You ok?” Morpheus asked.

Celene sighed. “Fine, thank you for changing as well.”

“First impressions matter, do you know where Rose is?" Morpheus asked.

“Upstairs on the left, furthest room down.” Celene answered.

“Thank you.”