The metal hallway went about fifteen feet before it changed to the smooth stone that lined the ventilation room. After they all crossed that threshold, Dnoeth stopped and looked back. Roxy stopped and looked back over his shoulder, down the passage she could see the solid steel elevator cage suspended above the hole.

Dnoeth turned his head to the side as if listening to a faint noise. He raised a hand to the passage and said, “I need to close this until we come back.”

Roxanna and Ramal were still waiting for an explanation of what exactly had happened to him and Roxy took the opportunity to ask, “How do you know that? And what exactly did that liquid do to you, other than change your eyes?” She felt confident that he wasn’t somehow infected by it, but none the less, she wanted an explanation.

“Right! Sorry, yeah. I’ll explain, give me just one sec, they really want this passage closed if we’re not using it.” As he said that the liquid metal flowed back into the hallway in the same wide tubular rush in which it had drained out. Roxy and Ramal started at the sudden impact of the metal splashing against an invisible wall right in front of Dnoeth.

In seconds it was once again a solid wall of metal, although Dnoeth stood there for a bit longer until he was satisfied that the entire passage was refilled. When he dropped his hand the steel lost its wet puddle appearance, reverting to a dull sheen.

“Ok bub, I want an explanation.” Roxy said with her arms crossed.

Dnoeth smiled at her, “Ok. So, I’m not sure how or why this happened, but somehow I formed a link with... metal?” He said the last sounding unsure. “I’m not sure if that’s quite right, but I can communicate with this metal now. It’s actually running through me. Hold on, I think I can...” He held out a hand and metal pooled in his palm and then ran over it, encasing his arm up to the forearm.

“Hahaha! Look at this!” Dnoeth exclaimed. “I’m like a metal man!” Roxanna’s eyes went wide at the display, and she lifted a hand to touch his metallic arm, then pulled it back remembering what had happened the first time. Dnoeth held it out, palm down. “It’s fine. It’s part of me now.”

She ran her fingers along the top of his hand, and it felt cool and hard, not at all like skin. Ramal stepped up beside her and did the same. “That’s a great trick. How hard is it, can it deflect a sword?” Roxanna blinked at the question, still a bit taken aback by the transformation.

“I don’t know. It’s pretty hard though” Dnoeth replied, then he balled his hand and knocked on the stone wall like it was a door. It sounded like steel rapping on stone. He knocked harder, then he pounded on the wall, the sound was like that of a hammer, it reverberated down the corridor and Roxy covered her ears.

He looked to them both with an eye-twinkling smile and playful eyebrow waggle. Then Dnoeth punched the wall with a solid right cross. Clank! Rock chips sprayed from the impact.

“Hehehee! Nothing!” He exclaimed. “I can hardly feel that.” And beamed at his companions. Roxy was cringing but gave him her best fake smile and nod. Ramal on the other hand looked wide-eyed between the wall and his upheld fist, nodding appreciatively.

“That’s amazing.” Ramal said, “Reminds me of my Texier body suit, but harder. Mine’s got some give, so I couldn’t chip stone like you just did. I also can’t do a partial deployment like that, just cover an arm, that would be pretty useful.”

He looked from the arm, meeting Dnoeth’s gaze. “I saw you absorb that stuff, there was a lot of it. A lot more than that. You absorbed enough to cover your whole body. Can you use all of that? Cover your whole body?”

“Let’s see.” Dnoeth held his other arm out and closed his eyes. After a moment both arms covered with steel and it ran up under his shirt. He opened his eyes and regarded his arms with a big smile, then pulled his shirt over his head. The steel covered both arms up to mid bicep.

“That’s all I can do right now. But I’ve got some system notifications to review, maybe they’ll explain more.”

“Still pretty amazing.” Ramal commented.

“It’s... unreal.” Roxanna said, running a hand up his arm, then resting it on his shoulder. “Your skin still feels warm and soft, but the metal is cool and hard.” She was relieved to feel the warmth of his skin and it helped ease her anxiety.

Dnoeth sensed her discomfort. “It’s still me. I promise. I’m just improved.” He smiled warmly and her tension receded. Roxanna noted, not for the first time, that Dnoeth did not feel like her son her in Kuora. Even to think it felt off. He still felt like family, someone she could trust and loved, but without the concern of being his parent. In truth, Roxanna appreciated the change. And from his interactions, she could tell Dnoeth was similarly affected.

“Let’s have a look at these notifications.” Dnoeth said and his eyes focused on text the others couldn’t see. “Woah. I’ve got a bunch of these.”

His focus shifted back to them. “You know, we’ve got a decent piece of walking to reach the armory. This is some kind of back entrance with a long tunnel. So, why don’t we walk while I read, that way we’re not wasting time.” He pulled his shirt back on and looked at them.

“Sounds like a plan,” Ramal said, turning away and calling back. “Are there any turns or anything else we should know about?”

Roxanna followed Ramal and Dnoeth brought up the rear. “I don’t think so.” He replied to the question. “I don’t have a map. I just have a connection to the metal, and it has a sense of this place. So, I know it’s down this way and about a twenty-minute walk.”

“Good enough,” Ramal said.

Dnoeth pulled the first system notification back up and started reading.

Congratulations! You have resolved the Condition: Champion without a Cause. This condition was been transformed into the unique Aura, Bond of Trust.

Exp Gained: +2500

Aura (Unique): Bond of Trust – There is little that cannot be accomplished when there is trust between companions. When united by purpose, trust ensures that communication, creative thought, and action flow freely, unbound by the treacherous effects of doubt and withheld concerns. Your presence will subtly encourage this bond between yourself and your companions and all will gain as a result.

Effects: Those in your immediate vicinity are inclined to trust you. You may form parties with those that are trustworthy. Those in your party gain +5% to their primary attribute. You gain a buff in your primary and secondary attribute equal to 2.5% of the total gains received by all your party members.

Aura level: Basic

Basic Maximum party size: 10

Avatar Equilibrium Unlocked! Congratulations, you have unlocked a personal Equilibrium racial blend.

Avatar Equilibrium type: Electrum. Through a perfectly balanced mix of racial genetics that are tied indelibly to various beliefs, moralities, and principals, you have created an avatar made in the image of your personal truth. This blended race gains unique characteristics and benefits. You are uncommonly self-aware, in Kuora, the return on investments in yourself are measurable.

Avatar Equilibrium Modifiers:

+30% resistance to elemental damage

+20% elemental damage done

+20% bonus to all essential energy skill gains

+20% to all non-combat experience and skill gains

Awakened Ability (exceptional): Bonded Daedrium Elementalist – You have formed an elemental bond with the legendary Dwarven material, Daedrium. Created by the dwarves to forge weapons and armor for their Und Varden to fight against Lintarian Vox and his army, Daedrium is the only known metal that is impervious to the corrosive effects of corrupted void essence.

In addition, the structure of Daedrium allows for the storage of vast amounts of unbound essential energy. This quality was liberally used by the Dwarves to safeguard unbound essence from being corrupted during the Void war.

The Daedrium that you have bonded with has been absorbed into your body and become a part of your being. You now have a symbiotic relationship with this Daedrium. From you your absorbed Daedrium gains purpose. From it you gain power to pursue your purpose. As your bond grows your capability in yielding the power of Daedrium will also grow, in addition you will be able to absorb additional Daedrium.

Bond level: Basic

Basic Bonded capabilities: You can use 15% of your absorbed Daedrium to form armor and simple weapons. You may communicate with any Daedrium metal that is within arm’s length. Direct contact improves communication.

Dnoeth opened his hand and looked at the reflective metal surface.

Lips spreading, his cheeks bunched tight as a wicked expression of glee painted his face. To himself, he whispered, “Daedrium.”