“Well that explains that.” Saelak said and grimaced slightly, “It also explains why nobody would think you were a Spirit Blessed and why you wouldn’t know how to trigger it.”

“There were definitely signs though.” Donoma interjected a little excitedly, as though solving a great mystery, “All da animals that ‘ave been flockin’ ta ya… it be almost as if they were subconsciously beggin’ for ya ta bond with ‘em.”

“It seems so strange to me that you would gain an additional Blessing that you’ve never had before. I’ve never heard of someone gaining a Blessing like you did with Fire.” Saelak said, thinking aloud.

“Me clan ‘ad tales o’ great heroes that impressed da Divine Ones so much that they were Blessed by others who wanted ta lift them up further. This was long ago though, none are livin’ today that I know of.” Donoma elaborated to them. It seemed similar so at least it wasn’t unheard of.

Saelak spoke as if coming to some conclusion, “We might be able to find out more at the Grand Library, since we’re heading there anyways it doesn’t change our immediate plans much, correct?”

Aster nodded in agreement. Donoma spoke up again, changing the direction of the conversation once more, “So ya said ya can communicate with yer Soul Bond? How does that work? And how do ya gain ‘em? Is it like da Covenant Blessed when they create contracts?”

Saelak interrupted this time, “This seems different from that. Covenant magic binds people and creatures to their words… I’ve never heard of one contracting someone’s soul before. Though I’ve heard of Warlocks and Summoners that have bound creatures, it’s never been quite like this where they literally absorb the other.” Saelak seemed at a loss for words as he looked around as if the surroundings would offer the missing idea.

“So can he summon ‘em like a Summoner can?” Donoma offered up.

“Maybe. I don’t know if he can if they are now a part of him. Do they even have bodies anymore?” Saelak asked. His brain was working overtime trying to make sense of his best friend’s new ability.

Donoma turned to Aster excitedly, “Oh, why don’t ya give it a try, Aster?”

The half-elf just stared at her for a moment trying to process what she had said as he too had been lost in thought and re-reading his ability. “Try what?”

“Try summonin’ yer new lil bunny buddy.” She said with a little giggle.

Aster shrugged and said simply, “Sure, why not? Guess it couldn’t hurt anything.” He slowly stood up now, testing out his balance and then doing a few stretches. He could tell that he had been laying down for far too long and his muscles ached. “Alright,” He shot his hand forward dramatically and cried out, “Come forth, crazy fire bunny!”

Nothing happened in the small clearing. There was a long moment of silence before both Donoma and Saelak burst out laughing. Aster flushed red in embarrassment before promptly ignoring them and continuing by thrusting his hand now into the air over his head, “By the power of greyskull!” Again nothing happened. He slammed his fists together yelling “With our powers combined! Wonder bunny powers activate!” Yet again the only sound in the area was the peels of laughter coming from his two companions. “Go Go Gadget-Rabbit! It's morphin' time! Bunny Prism Power Make-up!” Saelak was clutching his sides now and Donoma was actually rolling on the ground laughing her arse off.

He gave a heavy sigh, and checked his profile again, looking for anything he might have missed. The last line of his ability seemed to offer his only clue though: ‘You can communicate telepathically with your soul bonds.’ He closed his eyes and tried thinking towards the mental image of the bunny girl he had met, ‘Fire Rabbit?’ nothing. Then he tried again, this time remembering the creature’s name, ‘Hitsuki?’

‘MASTER!’ he almost fell over in alarm at the sheer volume that had yelled back at him in his mind. ‘Master! I’m so very glad you’re talking to me! Do you, like, need me? Oh! Can I help you? What do you, like, wanna do first?’ Aster was strangely reminded of Donoma at that moment but the voice was much younger and didn’t have the same accent; the energy emanating from it however was almost identical.

‘Uh. Hi there. Um, is it possible to summon you? Also, you can just call me Aster, no ‘M’ required.’ It felt weird to him to talk by thinking even though it felt much more natural when using the party ability, he assumed it was because he could actually see Saelak and had visualized speaking at him just without actually opening his mouth. It was harder when he couldn’t see the rabbit he was trying to picture.

The pause was so long that he almost thought that he had messed up sending that message when he heard, ‘Here it is! Check your class options, silly master!’ The way she had said that actually struck a chord with him and he remembered what her way of speaking reminded him of. It was that classic valley girl stereotype from his old life on Earth. He shook his head wondering if that was just the type of bunny she was or if his own memories had somehow embedded themselves into her. ‘Just Aster, silly bunny’ He brought up his class list, looking over the list of mundane options, in his opinion, until he spotted a new one at the very bottom.

Class

Choose one from the following:

Single Focus:

Fighter [ Ubiquitous ]

Specialize in weapon-based Combat. Battle your enemies and spar with your friends.

Requires: Initiate rank in a melee combat skill.

Laborer [ Ubiquitous ]

Specialize in Athletics. Work, work, work, all day, every day.

Requires: Initiate rank in the athletics skill.

Scout [ Ubiquitous ]

Specialize in Perception. Keep an eye out for the unexpected.

Requires: Initiate rank in the perception skill.

Blacksmith [ Common ]

Specialize in Blacksmithing. Stoke the fire, swing the hammer, quench and repeat.

Requires: Initiate rank in the blacksmithing skill.

Cook [ Common ]

Specialize in Cooking. You put the spice in life and food.

Requires: Initiate rank in the cooking skill.

Leather Worker [ Common ]

Specialize in Leatherworking. Making carcasses fashionable.

Requires: Initiate rank in the leatherworking skill.

Scholar [ Common ]

Specialize in Reading. Life is learning and the key to learning is reading.

Requires: Initiate rank in the reading skill.

Double Focus:

Messenger [ Common ]

Specialize in Athletics and Perception. Find your target, make your deliveries, and speed away before you get shot.

Requires: Initiate rank in athletics and perception.

Armorer [ Uncommon ]

Specialize in Blacksmithing and Leatherworking. The sharpness of your sword, the potency of your magic, the strength of your kick; none of these matter if you're already dead from the first hit you take. Your armor will surely save lives.

Requires: Initiate rank in blacksmithing and leatherworking.

Bladesmith [ Uncommon ]

Specialize in Blacksmithing and Bladed Combat. Knowing your tools gives you the edge in battle. The sharper your tool the better you fight.

Requires: Initiate rank in a blade-based combat skill and blacksmithing.

Researcher [ Uncommon ]

Specialize in Reading and Perception. Parsing information and making connections of bits of data may unravel mysteries and answer questions no one knew the answers to.

Requires: Initiate rank in reading and perception.

Unique Focus:

Soul Tamer [ Artifact ] [ Unique ]

You are a Deviant Spirit Blessed. Your unique Soul Bond ability allows you to tame an endless amount of souls and add them to your own. Collect souls and grow your powers. Make new friends to destroy your enemies.

Requires: Soul Bond Ability

‘Artifact?!’ Aster was staring wide-eyed at the dark red label next to the Soul Tamer class that was now available to him. Donoma asked what was wrong and he read the class out loud to them.

Saelak smiled at him, repeating what Aster had initially told him about his own class choices, “You’re incredible, Aster.” then he repeated his own advice back at him, “So Soul Tamer, obviously. Were you seriously pondering?”

Aster laughed at him, “I guess it’s not really much of a choice is it?” He mentally clicked on the Soul Tamer option.

Congratulations!

You are now a Soul Tamer!

There is only ever one binder of spirits, only one master of minds, only one tamer of souls! You are Unique in the world, an Artifact of the Age, a power unto yourself. The only thing unbound in your life is your potential.