It didn’t appear Lao was a fan of salty language. His face scrunched up and he pulled out his sword and shield. Only it wasn’t the sword Deacon remembered him having. This sword had an odd red glow to it. Lao plunged his sword into the side of the building and slowly lowered himself down leaving a scorch mark trail as he slid. Elle quickly told Deacon that it looked like an enchanted weapon.

“Not so mouthy now are you. I had my mage whip up a little something special for you. You see I’ve killed many magical beasts in dungeons, and they always seem to need a little something special to damage. I’m willing to bet you have some item or ability that makes you the same.” Lao said with the smuggest look on his face that Deacon had ever seen, “How’s the shoulder?”

“Can you hold him in place?” Deacon asked Elle.

“He’s got a fire sword, he’ll cut through my vines pretty quickly.” She replied.

“Hey, no whispering. I thought we were having a conversation.” Lao yelled.

“Bitch, keep quiet. Adults are talking.” Deacon yelled back, “all I need is a few seconds.”

“Get ready.” Elle said.

Deacon started to circle around to the left side of Lao hoping his new sword would give him the urge to strike out and leave him off balance. Unfortunately, his guess was right. Lao shot forward glowing sword outstretched aimed directly at Deacons chest. Deacon burned up a spectral dodge to get around Lao expecting the backhand shield move, he ducked under it and went for Lao’s legs. Lao hopped up scoring a glancing slash along Deacons back taking ten percent of his health with it. Getting hurt sucked. Deacon stumbled forward righting himself to face Lao and took a shield uppercut hit to the jaw. No damage this time but it was certainly a set up blow. Deacon spectral dodged back yelling, “NOW!”

Elle plunged her hands into the dirt making several lines of earth crack and fracture toward Lao. Vines shot up from underground holding Lao in place. All he did was laugh as he started hacking at the plant matter to free himself. Just then he noticed it getting brighter. Five feet away stood a tired and panting Deacon eyes shining like emeralds, left hand outstretched in a closed fist. Just above him and to the left there was a tear in the fabric of space. Cold air was pouring out creating a low rolling fog. The rent in space was widening faster and faster. Lao began furiously hacking at the vines. Typhus, Armand, and Robert came around the corner with townfolks in tow. Apparently, the fires were distractions to scatter the population while they robbed them. They all stopped when they saw what was happening in the street. A gigantic semi-transparent armored left arm came shooting out of the portal with such force Lao was just a red smear on the street and the building he originally jumped off was in splinters. Blood ran down Deacons left arm as the ghostly appendage pulled back into the portal. He received an urgent message from his slate.

VENDETTA complete: New ability unlocked SAYance- this ability will let you speak to souls. If these souls are consumed, you may temporarily use an ability they knew at the cost of their soul. If the soul is non sentient you will be able to delve into its memories. Be warned, the older a soul is before moving on the less sane it will be so information may no longer be reliable.

Deacon read over his new ability and started to laugh. They must be kidding right. A little on the nose. Then he read his remaining notifications he ignored before the long run back to town.

You have killed a level 20 Mage and marauders of various levels. You have earned two levels. You now have two skill points to distribute.

You have learned the ability- Gate Crasher…You do not meet the prerequisites for this…Rule Breaker has removed the class and level requirements for this ability. Trailblazer has modified this ability to be used with your class, Gate Crasher has changed to Strike of the Phantasm Knight.

Strike of the Phantasm Knight- this ability summons a giant armored arm of a phantasm knight from the frozen Nether plane. This ability converts soul energy into holy damage x10. It can only be used on a stationary target and will consume health if insufficient soul energy is available. It is suggested that the user transcends the mortal limit before use.

You have killed a level 20 Soldier. You have earned a level. You now have 3 skill points to distribute.

“I knew it. This will make a fine vessel.” That voice in Deacon’s head started speaking again but faded away mid-sentence. A problem for another day. Wow 3 skill points. This seems like it worked out for him, Deacon thought. So why is darkness creeping around his peripheral vision. A quick look at his health and he realized he’d spent too deep. Deacon began to sway on his feet. Typhus was the first to get to his side.

“You alright lad?! Dear god what was that thing?” Typhus asked as he lay Deacon down gently.

“It’s a good thing no one was in that house huh?” Deacon croaked out.

“Yea well there are at least parts of Lao in the rubble. How in the hell did you do that?” Typhus laughed.

“I think I know. Did you use that siege breaker manual?” Armand said as he lowered himself down to the two.

“Maybe.” Deacon said coughing up some blood.

“That should be impossible but like everything else with you it clearly isn’t.” Armand said while he wrapped a blanket around Deacon.

Elle was calming folks down and tending to the wounded. Armand asked for help getting Deacon down the road to the Inn. Typhus was more than happy.

“You know, after that fuck off arm smashed through that guy all the glowy stuff you do just winked out.” Typhus said.

“Good to know.” Deacon replied weakly.

“You’ll need a bit of rest. We know Elle can’t heal you with her magic. Maybe the next town will have an alchemist. Then we can get you some potions.” Typhus said to the void since Deacon was out cold.