Congratulations!

You Aged Up!

Aster awoke to a message he wasn’t expecting, ‘Is it already the 8th of Warduna?’ He double checked his profile and sure enough there was a 20 next to his age now. That would also mean today was Sovesola, the beginning of the week and that tomorrow would be the Masquerade of the Hunt. This celebration was in honor of the Warden and there would be feasting, drinking and of course, hunting. The Warden was the deity of Earth and was a symbol of stability, territory and protection. This would be a blessing and a curse for them. The upside was that they could walk around town today in masks as most everyone else would be doing. That would help Aster blend in more by hiding his new and rare Spirit mark. The down side was that there would most likely be a ton more people out and about preparing for the festivities.

As he sat up and stretched his arms, he found Saelak already awake and preparing to leave while Donoma was snoring away. “Sun’s salutation, Saelak.” He gave a yawn and stood, stretching his back and legs now, “I can’t wait to reach an inn and take a hot bath.”

Saelak chuckled, “You do like to indulge in those, don’t you? We should be arriving in Ahtil in just a couple hours. We can restock on supplies and sell the furs and animal bits we hunted on the way.”

“Don’t let them rack up the price of things on you, the Mask Hunt is tomorrow and I’m sure the vendors will try to take advantage of the spike in demand.” Aster cautioned as he began preparing some breakfast for them.

Saelak frowned slightly as he mulled over Aster’s words, “I’ll try to not get taken advantage of.”

Aster chuckled, “Maybe Donoma could help you haggle? I think she’d be able to barter pretty good, being older and more experienced in the world than both of us.”

Saelak glared at him, “I’m not a kid anymore, Aster. I don’t understand why you keep thinking that when I’m just a year behind you. Unless you think you’re also a kid?”

“Ha! I wish sometimes. Being a kid is a lot easier, usually. Anyways, let's wake Donoma and get going quicker. The crowds are gonna make finding a place to stay harder.” Aster warned and went over to wake the sleeping elf.

Aster realized a little later as they were walking down the road that he’d need to get into town to buy a mask before he could hide his mark with it. Saelak shook his head a little and held a hand up, forming a delicate looking half-face mask that would cover his eyes and mark with frosted ice. Aster just stared at it for a moment in awe. “Could I do something like that with Fire Bending?”

Saelak shrugged, “I’m not sure. I know Fire Blessed can create permanent fires that feed on ambient mana but I can’t recall items like this. It’s easier with an element that has solid form like ice, earth, wood or metal. I could try making a water version but it’ll cost me more mana to try and make it hold it’s form permanently.”

Aster nodded as that made perfect sense to him. He looked forward to collecting all the elements now to create new things with. Saelak made all of them masks but cautioned that they weren’t the sturdiest items and they’d still be cold so finding some proper masks while they stayed in town would probably be for the best.

As they got closer more and more people were appearing on the road and the gate to the city was backed up with travelers. Many masks were worn and the guards were trying their best to be vigilant and get people through in an orderly manner. Inside the gate was a throng of people and noise and bright clothing and masks. The air itself seemed charged with excitement for tomorrow's celebration.

“You two go find better masks for yourself, I’ll go find us lodgings. You two go try and find a buyer for these furs and I’ll meet you in the main square around sun’s peak.” Saelak turned to part and paused before adding over his shoulder, “and at least try to stay out of trouble.”

Donoma stuck her tongue out at him, “Okay, mum.” she retorted sarcastically. He rolled his eyes behind his glasses and went on his way. “Come on, Aster. Let’s go shoppin’,” she said excitedly as she pulled him along with her following the crowds towards the markets.

The city of Ahtil was a fairly large city and acted as a trade hub for the area. It lay on the border of Kaeland and Rudná Ríša, which was Dwarven territory. The people there were a broad mix, while a lot were dwarves and humans, there were plenty of other races such as Beastkin, Halflings and even some Silkfolk. Aster couldn’t help turning his head side to side trying to take in everything. It was one thing to read about it and a whole different thing to experience it and see it all for himself.

The pair of them made their way through the streets lined with vendors selling their wares. They were able to find a couple of mask vendors and Aster found a colorful rainbow mask that reminded him of Pride parades back on Earth that he had enjoyed going to. He swapped it out for a silver coin, glad to be rid of the constant brain freeze. They found a buyer for their furs and animal bits like claws and teeth. They hadn’t had anything to preserve the wet things that could be used as alchemy ingredients and Aster resolved to find something, as well as look for a spacial bag. He had read about the bags and chests that Spacial Blessed mages could create that Aster mentally equated to bags of holding. He knew Saelak even had one that he was keeping a lot of their gear and food preserved in, but he needed one. Lugging around all these animal parts and the heavy bedrolls, especially with winter right around the corner, he needed a better way to carry and catalog all these trade goods. A larger city like Ahtil was sure to have some, he just hoped he’d be able to afford them. It would be a good investment though even if it would be expensive.

They unloaded their furs for gold, which Aster was grateful for being able to barter for 11 of the pieces. Apparently, the spike in demand was a good thing for him in this regard and his new title probably helped play a part. It did seem to make the crowd a bit more aware and wary of him though and he decided to switch back to ‘Party Goer’ while in town.

They headed towards the center of the city, looking for the main square to meet up with Saelak, when they found it. Aster was displeased to find himself staring at another large stage with dozens of cages off to the side holding a variety of rare creatures. Another Soul Auction.

Donoma saw the look on his face and carefully said, “Why don’t we go back ta da vendors a lil ways over there, ya? It’s not sun’s peak quite yet and there’s nothin’ here for us…”

Aster nodded and was about to turn to leave when the announcer on the stage cried out to the audience, “And now! A beast so fearsome and bold, it’s very capture being a great risk as it is one of the fastest creatures on land or sky! Behold! The Air Gryphon!” The announcer yanked on a large rope that pulled up the curtains revealing a large cage and a Gryphon inside it glaring at the audience as it paced back and forth. It was slightly different from the eagle/ lion combo that Aster remembered reading about. This one looked more like a falcon mixed with a cheetah, it’s black feathers tinged with teal tips and tan fur with black spots rustling as though wind blew through them but there wasn’t a strong wind in the packed square.

Aster was mesmerized by the sight of the majestic creature. He had never seen something from the fantasies he read about back on Earth before. Most creatures here were just elemental versions of the more mundane animals that he had seen. This gryphon though was fantasy come to life. He hadn’t even realized he was walking closer to the stage till Donoma had yanked him back hard enough to cause him to stumble.

“Aster! Let’s get outta here, you’re actin’ awful odd!” the elf hissed between her clenched teeth. She seemed nervous now and was looking around to make sure they hadn’t drawn any unwanted attention.

“Come now, beast! Show the crowd how mighty you are!” Aster heard the voice over the crowd just before a piercing cry rang through the square as a Lightning Rod was pressed against the caged creature.

Donoma couldn’t stop him from rushing the stage at that point and yanking the rod from the announcer’s hand.

Alert! Combat initiated with Cameron, level 9 Flash Auctioneer!

Strength check successful; you successfully disarmed Cameron.

“Hey! What the abyss do you think you’re doing?!” the announcer yelled at him, trying to grab the rod back, “Guards!”

Aster almost growled at them, “Free this creature at once! How dare you attack a helpless being!”

“It’s just a beast!” the Auctioneer replied angrily, “A mindless monster that terrorizes the skies! And a big payday for me, now get out of the way!”

“From where I’m standing you’re the beast,” Aster said disgusted with the torturer, “A monster is someone who enjoys hurting others and you’ve proven yourself adept at it.” Aster threw the rod off the stage and started walking towards the large cage. The gryphon had been watching him this entire time with a wary gaze and as Aster lifted a hand, trying to reach out to the creature as if to calm it, he felt hands grab on to him pulling him backwards.

Alert! Company: Ahtil Guards joined combat!

Reflex check failed; you are grappled.

He struggled against them, reaching for the gryphon who surprised him by moving forward and stretching its head through the bars, placing its beak into his outstretched palm.

Time seemed to stop as Aster felt himself arrive in his Soul Space, in front of him was the giant creature, looking down at him with piercing teal eyes that were glowing slightly. He had a moment to glance around, noticing Hitsuki standing behind him wide-eyed and watching.

“I am Aster.” He spoke automatically but he didn’t feel as afraid this time.

“I am an Air Gryphon,” the room filled with a deep voice, though the gryphon’s beak didn’t move.

“With this bond, you are no longer your own, our lives intertwine, we are more than we’ve known.” Aster felt a pull from the center of his chest as the ghostly light purple chain burst from it and stopped halfway between the two of them.

“With this bond, our blessings combine. You grant me your blessing and I grant you mine.” the beast responded and a teal chain whipped forth to connect with his own waiting one.

He continued the ritual, “I share with you my Spirit. In return you will share-”

“-My Air.” the deep voice rumbled and purple mist trailed from Aster down the chain to envelop the huge creature's form. Obscuring it from view then slowly shrinking and dissipating to see a tall man with long black hair, teal streaks swirling through it, Black feathered wings sprouted from his back and Aster noticed a cheetah’s tail hanging between his legs past his manly bits. His strong tan physique was fully on display as he lacked any clothing. “I thank you for your Blessing and my name: Kanati.” he said and then Aster suddenly remembered that he probably shouldn’t have tried triggering his Soul Bond ability while on a stage surrounded by guards and that this next part might not feel so great as a tornado of wind swirled down the chain and slammed into him.

You triggered the ability: Soul Bond!

Congratulations!

Soul Bond Acquired: Kanati the Air Gryphon

Kanati shared their Blessing of Air from the Traveler.

Your body will now undergo Acclimation to Air.

You are winded.

Aster screamed for a moment as the wind ripped around his body, knocking the guards away from him, before he felt the air escape from his lungs to join the gale surrounding him. He couldn’t seem to catch his breath as he gasped and fell to his hands and knees. Aster could barely hear the cries of the audience who were now thoroughly freaking out at the massive gusts of wind and the no longer present Gryphon that had just been inside the cage behind him.

Shouts went up and swords became drawn as the guards tried to fight back the winds and seize him thinking he was causing the gusts, which he guessed was partially true.

There were bright flashes of light all over the square and suddenly the wind seemed to calm down as the area filled with a dense fog and Aster was conscious just long enough to feel someone grab his arms and hoist him onto their back with another person helping to lift him from behind. Then he sensed nothing.

Combat ended.

You gained 11 experience.

Crimson Destiny gained 5 experience.

You are unconscious.

Saelak was berating himself and Donoma as he carried Aster through the fog he had cast, “Why didn’t you stop him?!”

“I tried! His strength attribute is higher than me own now! He ‘ad that trance look ‘bout him again and his eyes were reshing glowing, Saelak!” Donoma said slightly panicked and trying to help keep Aster from falling as they tried to move quickly through the alleyways.

Saelak grimaced as the sound of Aster’s labored breathing filled his ear, “What happened anyways? I only arrived after the crowd was shouting and saw Aster on stage.”

“Me thinks he did that Soul Bond thing with an Air Gryphon.” Donoma said with some slight awe.

Saelak stopped in his tracks and turned to look at her to make sure she wasn’t joking with him. “An Air Gryphon? Like the half-bird half-giant cat, terror of the skies, rip your head off with its claws and eat your entrails with its sharp beak, Gryphon?!”

She nodded emphatically, “Yup! That’s da one, ‘twas black, tan with spots and huge. As soon as it touched Aster, it vanished in a swirl o’ purple mist and then those massive winds flew outta him and he right keeled over.”

Saelak stared at her for a moment longer before Aster’s weezing caught his attention again and he made his way back down the alley. He thought about heading to the inn he booked but was afraid Aster might need some actual healing; so instead headed towards a temple he had passed on his way to them. “So this is the Air equivalent of what we saw with Hitsuki’s fire?”

At that moment Aster’s eyes flew open and his hand tapped on Saelak’s shoulder, “Hey, I have control now so you can, like, totally put me down and I can walk.”

Saelak almost dropped the half-elf; he was so startled by the sudden change. “What the resh? Aster?” He set his friend down but when he looked into his face he saw ruby red eyes looking back at him and a smirk.

“No silly, I’m, like, totally in Emergency Override now.” She gasped a little trying to take deep breaths, “Master is out cold and while it’s still a bit hard to breathe I can move him until he’s, like, finished acclimating.” She took another gulp of air.

Saelak nodded then gave a small wave indicating that she should follow him, “This way then, we should go to the temple and see if a healer can help.”

Donoma put a hand on his arm, “Uh, a moment, if ya will. I’m not sure that’s da best plan. What if they figure out that Aster’s da one who wrecked that Auction? We should lay low.”

Saelak shook his head, rejecting her idea, “I’m not gonna risk Aster’s life on the off chance he’s recognized. My magic can’t deal with Air like it could with Fire.” and with that he grabbed Aster’s hand and led Hitsuki to the temple, slowly dispersing his spell as they got further away from the main square.