Lianna glared at the clerk. “How much longer are you planning to stall us out?” She asked, doing little to hide the hostility in her tone.

He flashed the falsest smile that Lianna had ever seen in her life, one that she got used to in their forced permanence in this ruthless place. “We found a pretty massive array of errors in your last document. I’m sorry, but we…”

“Again?!” She almost growled. “We followed every single instruction, and you say it’s wrong again?”

The other shrugged. “Not our fault if you Astillians are incapable of such a simple matter.”

Pushing down the heated reply she felt rising in her throat, Lianna stormed out of the office, hearing a ‘barbarians…’ muttered behind her.

Once they had identified the culprit of the Bloodbay, it was only a matter to go and apprehend them.

The city didn’t like getting invaded by a small army of Templars. Understandable, but they didn’t care in the slightest.

Three months of fighting the atrocious burocracy of Aldrastor’s believers, the Aldranians, then six more to capture up until the last person that participated in that cursed day. After that? They were fighting against the city’s Judge, who simply wanted to regard the incident as little more than a conflict between companies. He wanted to fine the culprits and nothing else. The same ones that sent a bomb to the port. Those ‘fine gentlemen’.

Obviously, the Templars and Lord Seaweaver had all disagreed, and found themselves submerged in endless papers for the trouble.

When thinking about her child using her body to protect those innocents, Lianna was this close to drowning the city in her mist.

Once the priestess got back to the inn she and Thalom shared, she instinctually knew that something was amiss. She hurried back to their room, finding Thalom clenching both of his fists.

He told her what happened to Nashariel and her team.

The floor beneath her seemed to sway, and Lianna found herself held by her husband. “Our little girl… lost?”

He caressed her head. “She’s a strong kid. I’m sure she’s more than fine.” Despite saying that, his voice trembled.

Shaking her head, Lianna stood upright. “We must go back immediately.”

“We can’t, love. If we do, the time we spent here will be for naught.”

He was right. Even in her temper, Lianna could easily see the ruthless guild’s lawyers using that as an excuse to set themselves free. That was also unacceptable.

She let out a smile, the kind that only her husband had ever seen. One from her before. “I’ll be right back, my love. Tell everyone everything. We’ll be ready to set sail the day after tomorrow.”

“Lia…” He extended a hand towards her, retracting it after a moment. “Be careful.”

“Always.”

Lianna walked alone in the night. The few people meeting her were quick to change streets. Perhaps the ominous mist kept them at bay, perhaps her expression. She didn't care either way.

The priestess walked and remembered.

She remembered when Nashariel, her little girl, had just transformed into a dragon. She found her crying in their garden, covering a bruise.

Lianna asked her what had happened, and Nashariel told her that her classmates were scared of her, and one of them pushed her away. This had never happened before when her draconic traits had been only a few.

The priestess could still remember her baby asking her with those big eyes of hers if she was to be alone from now on. Obviously, Lianna had answered that she and Thalom would always be near her.

Always.

And now she was alone.

Like her mother before her… before Thalom.

Lianna sighed. “We’re coming for you, my little, brave Templar.”

In the meantime, she had secrets to uncover, things that people wanted no one to find out and make public.

Jokes on them.

Mist enters everywhere.

With a thought, Lianna lost her corporeal form. What would she say… time to hunt?

Nashariel pov

Nashariel didn’t utter a word about her nightly encounter.

Her friends woke up at dawn fully rested, if a bit chilly. They said that they had rarely slept so deeply. She subtly threw a shot of [Radiant sight] at them, but her mana remained full.

With a fresh mind, they invested their points. Nashariel decided to look a bit more into Radiance. As narrow in scope as it was, this attunement had been invaluable until now.

She bought [Radiance empowerment], [Shine generation], and [Radiant armor].

*Radiance empowerment Lvl 1

Radiance fights the darkness away, aiming for purity of soul, body, and mind. With this skill, this task will become easier and the results will speak for themselves.

Your radiance you wield become more.

All your radiance attacks are slightly empowered. Effect increased against dark beings. Effect furtherly increased against inherently dark beings, such as undead.

Upgrade cost: 2 points.

Shine generation Lvl 1

Radiance is the most brilliant element of all, but what can call itself sacred if it doesn’t spread light? With this skill, you'll shine bright enough that even the smallest blob of darkness will be forced to yield.

You gain another resource bar, called ‘Shine’. This bar act similarly to mana and stamina.

This bar starts at 20 +5 Lvl units and decreases with its usage.

When used, this resource improves all Radiance-based skills’ damage and purposes.

Alternatively, you can use this resource to largely improve the radius of a Radiance-based skill, forgoing all harmful effects.

Once this resource is emptied, your light diminishes, and the benefits of this skill become negative.

Upgrade cost: 4 points Lvl.

Radiant armor Lvl 1

Wicked creatures find all possible ways to snuff the lights out. As a Radiant dragon, it's your duty and pleasure to repay the favor in kind and bring a light so powerful to burn such evil beings in a quick, decisive, and merciful way. Summon this armor, and this purpose will become reality.

You summon an elemental armor, entirely made of mana.

This armor intensifies your power and awareness, especially so against Dark-attuned creatures, but you gain no benefits versus Light-attuned beings. Your resilience is decreased.

Your auras are emanated through this armor, making them more efficient and extending their range slightly.

Dark beings, such as the undead, are damaged when touching you.

Mana cost: 40% upon activation, 5% per minute after.

Upgrade cost: 6 points Lvl. *

Every ducking time I close the shop, I tell myself that I have all that I needed. Nashariel sighed. And then I need even more. I guess that being able to afford it is a good problem to have.

Nashariel summoned her status.

*Name: Nashariel Holyshield

Race: Omnidragon (young)

Age: 18

Current humanoid form: Human dragokin

Current attunement: -

Level: 110-> 111

Available stat points: 42

Available skill points: 192

Strength: 550- 1100

Power: 400 - 800

Resilience: 700 – 1400

Vitality: 700 – 1400

Dexterity: 400 - 800

Awareness: 450 - 900

Essence: 500 - 1000

Endurance: 500 - 1000

Hp: 14.000/14.000

Mana: 10.000/10.000

Stamina: 10.000/10.000

Skills:

Racial:

Omnidragon kin (minor) Lvl -

Omnidragon might (II) Lvl 20-capped

Omnidragon physique (II) Lvl 11-> 12

Omnidragon adaptability Lvl 5

Draconic breath (II) Lvl 20-capped

Draconic fighting style (II) Lvl 20-capped

Draconic Aura (II) Lvl 13-> 14

Draconic hoard Lvl 13

Draconic presence Lvl 12

Air:

Improved flight Lvl 20-capped

Draconic feathers Lvl 20-capped

Decreased air resistance Lvl 2-> 3

Water:

Venom Lvl 20-capped

Draconic dive (II) Lvl 8

Identify Lvl 20-capped-> Dragon’s sight Lvl 2

Improved grapple Lvl 16

Mana efficiency Lvl 20-capped

Water dragon fighting style Lvl 8

Body of the water dragon Lvl 3

Earth:

Improved burrow Lvl 20-capped

Increased size Lvl 20-capped

Increased body density Lvl 20-capped

Earth armor Lvl 16

Hunter senses Lvl 20-capped

Earth manipulation Lvl 5

Fire:

Fury Lvl 20-capped

Sharpened natural weapons Lvl 20-capped

Improved Aoe Lvl 20-capped

Light:

Improved healing Lvl 20-capped

Light’s refuge Lvl 20-capped

Taunt Lvl 17-> 18

Dark:

Nullify presence Lvl 15

Improved draining Lvl 20-capped

Shroud of darkness Lvl 8

Metal:

Metal manipulation Lvl 8

Metal creation Lvl 16

Metal armor Lvl 15

Sharpened wings Lvl 2-> 4

Manufactured weapon mastery Lvl 6

Metal dragon fighting style Lvl 13

Mind:

Intellect of the Mind dragon Lvl 8-> 9

Mind healing Lvl 7

Dual mind Lvl 9-> 10

Mental power generation Lvl 4

Mental empowerment Lvl 2

Body of the Mind dragon Lvl 3

Lightning:

Body of the lightning dragon Lvl 6

Voltage generation Lvl 8

Lightning creation Lvl 3

Lightning manipulation Lvl 2

Lightning empowerment Lvl 6

Lightning infusion Lvl 4

Lightning dragon fighting style Lvl 4

Ease conductivity (other) Lvl 5

Spreading lightning Lvl 7

Paralyzing lightning Lvl 2

Lighting armor Lvl 2

Gray lightning Lvl 3

Curse:

Body of the Cursed dragon Lvl 1

Protection:

Defender’s aura Lvl 4

Body of the defender dragon Lvl 3

Damage storage Lvl 6

Defender’s armor Lvl 3

Improved retaliation Lvl 5

Defender dragon’s fighting style Lvl 4

Radiance:

Radiant sight Lvl 1-> 8

Aura of Radiance Lvl 1-> 6

Radiant light Lvl 1

Radiant infusion Lvl 1-> 5

Radiance empowerment Lvl 1

Shine generation Lvl 1

Radiant armor Lvl 1

Poison:

???

??? *

I'm starting to have a long skill list… when I'll have some more time, I need to take a look at some merges. The –empowerment series looks absolutely perfect for merging together. She mused, longingly remembering the Quest she hadn’t been able to complete by a single objective. That would’ve come in handy. Merging the resources could be fun too.

Closing off everything, she nodded at her friends. They had been done already.

The team exchanged their respective improvements, together with their progress.

“You didn’t have the basic skills up until now?” Asked Dorel, raising an eyebrow.

Nashariel shrugged. “I hadn’t the need at the time, and I can’t focus very well in a dangerous situation. Shall we head on?” Secondary mind, what do you think about that? She asked, referring to the quickly growing list.

/Our memory and experiences suggest that that is the best course of action. Of course, you might need to unlock every other element first, primary mind. I would suggest starting with Healing/

Nashariel internally groaned. Since her friends were about to get ready, she quickly checked the secondary mind’s theory by using [Omnidragon kin] on her last purchase.

She had been half-right.

Nashariel needed at least 20 –empowerment skills to start the merge. The lack of a cost implied that the resulting skill would be an Omnidragon-one, at least. I guess I got lucky at the start when I needed only six elements to merge. Now I must unlock everything, or I'll be heavily stumped the longer I go on. Damn…

The dragokin sighed, closing her status once more. The others were watching her. “Last check about something, sorry.”

They chuckled. “Needed to prepare some more?” Teased Dan.

Nashariel nodded, faking a grave tone. “You’re never too prepared.”

Her friends rolled their eyes.

The Templars got to work.

They went out of the city, facing a group of Burned phantoms, much to Dan's annoyance. The poor souls got incinerated when they tried to get out of the city and, as one of Nashariel's skills once said, they hadn't been able to outrun a dragon.

The spirits’ demise had audibly shrunk the curse’s size. From outside the village, the curse resembled a light-green dome embracing the totality of the city.

The Astillians tested that they could get in and out freely, thankfully.

Nashariel’s Sight sensed another power, so they went to investigate. This time there was no specific undead, just a large, large mass of zombies.

The vision told them that they died either in the fires or got crushed by the falling of their homes. Their defeat had required the total destruction of their bodies, as the orb had been equally distributed in each corpse. Nashariel simply powered her auras to the maximum, and everything around her had vanished. Easy win, for once. Poor souls…

The new resource was as powerful as Voltage had been. It had significantly improved her skills, even if her friends had been momentarily blinded by it. I guess it’s called Shine for a reason.

Still, more powers remained to be dealt with, but Nashariel’s skill noticed that the curse sometimes flickered to nothing. We must be close to ending this madness!

Most of the city was now a smoking ruin, with only two places left unnaturally intact. They pulsed with power as if the remaining magic focused on those locations.

As the group came closer to one of them, angry whispers filled their minds. Nashariel recognized the echoing voice as the one belonging to the necromancer. “Why won’t you leave!? Why do you wish to shatter our peace!? GO AWAY!!!”

They all clutched their heads at the scream.

“This isn’t peace, but an eternal torment!” Shouted Nashariel in turn.

“We live, thanks to Her grace! You have no right to undo this gift, outsiders!”

Wait, is she not the necromancer? “Who did this to you?”

“Dragons, like you! They torched us, all because I denied them! But She… She told me the truth, last night! It was all your fault! ALL YOUR FAULT!!!”

The illusion around them warped. All the innocent Echoes stopped, then glared at them. Black mist seeped within their spirits, presenting itself as a series of black streaks across their 'bodies'. Their appearance warped, showing clear signs of wounds not dissimilar from the zombies the Astillians faced not long ago.

The monsters wailed in agony. The sound waves resembled thick blades made of night, traveling towards the Templars at great speed.

Dorel dropped his shield, grunting. Since the spirits surrounded them, he used a skill to cover his friends with a white dome of light. The defense held without trouble.

The talks are over, then. Nashariel activated [Radiant aura] pumping a small trickle of Shine in it. The undead shrieked, covering their eyes with their hands. Some of the black essence leaked out of their bodies in the form of dark mist, much like Nashariel’s Dark skills.

*Spirit/Sound-Wailing phantom Lvl 86 (Cursed)

Elves that died a violent death and resented their killers originated this undead. As the spirit was unable to go on, it remained in this plane to be corrupted by the Curse magic permeating this area. Once unchained by their master, these spirits look at their enemies with hatred, crying for the loss of their lives.

They are extremely sensitive to sacred light in any of its forms, but they are otherwise immune to every form of non-magical physical attack. Cover your ears! *

Nashariel smirked. “Dan, hold back for now. Veliel, power up!” The priestess sang a song about the might of the sun, using her wand to double its effects. “Everyone, cover your eyes!”

As soon as her friends did that, Nashariel poured mana into her auras like a torrent. The brilliant light simply seared the closest spirits to nothing, while greatly burning the others.

The necromancer (?) shouted too, her presence suddenly vanishing from the area. The spirits also lost their fighting spirit, returning simple echoes.

What? Already? A bit hesitant, Nashariel dropped her aura, noticing that the pacified spirits weren’t affected by it. Nothing suddenly jumped at them, which was also welcome news, for once. "Well, now we know to proceed." She commented.

Dan clicked his tongue in annoyance. “No weak points, no poison for the spirits… damn.”

Nashariel sympathized. She didn’t like to be the one left out either.

/We have two free skills in the Poison attunement. Maybe we can help him/

Thanks for the suggestion. “Dan, is there something I can buy for you? I have two free skills available.”

He frowned in thought. “I don’t know… the problem is that I can’t apply it in this kind of situation. I think that’s something for higher Tiers or a Soul-thingy. Other than that? You do you, Boss.”

/Checked. Unless it’s an advanced skill, he’s right. I failed to spot any skills that can afflict the disembodied undead. Perhaps [Create poison], [Refine toxins] or [Generate virulence] may be of help for normal corpses… and maybe upgrading [Venom]to the next tier might yield some results, but I wouldn’t count on that, Primary mind/

That was quick! The secondary mind improved by the day. Nashariel decided that her analysis was worthy of an additional investigation. Dan deserved as much, regardless of the results.

*Create poison and Generate virulence have been granted for free. Refine toxins has been bought.

Create poison Lvl 1

From mana, everything comes and everything returns. Creation Skills like this one apply this belief in full, or, maybe, they originated it.

Poison hides within many creatures and plants, unseen, waiting for the incautious that will host it one last time. Toxins are many preys’ only salvation from the strong who would submit them without mercy, and this world so full of hunters requires as much poison as possible to thrive.

You can sacrifice mana to create a wide variety of toxins. You may also sacrifice health, but doing so forces you to create poison within your body.

Warning: You still need blood to live.

You must deeply comprehend a particular toxin or have substantially suffered its effects if you wish to replicate it.

You instinctually know which toxin you are creating in every detail.

Upgrade cost: 6 points Lvl.

Generate virulence Lvl 1

Only the fools think of poison as one singular, big substance instead of a world’s worth of wonders. Every single poison has its own method of submitting its victim, lethal or not, and this skill will make sure that your enemies know every smallest tinge of it.

You gain another resource bar, called ‘Virulence’. This bar act similarly to mana and stamina.

Virulence goes up to 20% +5% Lvl of your vitality. You can consume this resource together with a toxin to make it particularly virulent, making it much harder to overcome with a powerful constitution or healing magic.

A Virulent Toxin has all its purposes empowered, such as a sleep agent becoming much more effective at putting the victim to rest, without it becoming a permanent one. It also lasts for longer, but you must activate this skill once for each target.

If you run out of virulence, all your poisons will be weakened.

Upgrade cost: 4 points Lvl.

Refine toxins Lvl 1

Poison is all about cunning, adaptation, and patience. Its users don’t usually brute force their way to the kill, preferring instead to carefully prepare the perfect concoction for their chosen prey. This skill will provide such service for you.

The toxins you produce are less riddled with impurities and are easier and cheaper to create.

Upgrade cost: 3 points.

Are you sure to break Venom’s cap?

Y/N

Venom evolves into-> Draconic venom

Draconic venom (II) Lvl 1

It’s true that venoms are mostly the weapon of the small ones, but did this simple notion discourage dragons? Of course not. From a tool of self-defense to a cruel but effective method of attack, this skill will cut down your enemies without mercy. It only takes a small, unnoticed wound.

All your natural weapons can naturally produce a necrotic toxin commonly known as ‘Dragon’s flame’. This venom quickly travels within the victim’s bloodstream. With the right skills, this venom’s properties can easily be manipulated.

The glands hosting your poison enlarge, and your control over them increases. Your natural weapons host much more poison and can deliver it quicker. You can control the rough amount of release.

You can burn Hp to increase this skill’s potency.

This skill no longer scales with your power, but vitality.

Upgrade cost: 5 points Lvl.

Points reduced to-> 169 *

Nice effects, but not what we needed. Nashariel shook her head, deflating a little. “No luck on my part, sorry. I thought the second Tier could do something more…”

Dan stared at her. "Did you just casually break through a capped skill?"

“That I did.”

He flushed slightly. "Thanks, boss, but you shouldn't have…"

“Nonsense! It’s the least I could do!” Nashariel grinned. And my new Venom seems promising.

/Its effects are similar to the swamp’s poison. Maybe we could refill Dan’s reserves?/

Brilliant idea! Nashariel shifted in her Watery self, willing out a single drop. “What do you think?”

The Inquisitor and friends carefully examined it. Dan let out a pleased grunt. “Not as powerful as the swamp’s, but it’ll do nicely. Thanks, Nashariel.” He smiled.

I guess that I’m a Tier below… and just starting out. Eh, whatever.

Veliel and Dorel stood watch, as Nashariel filled to the brim Dan’s empty vials. Useless as it may have been against spirits, this poison could weaken corporeal undead. Probably. Better than nothing?

The Templars resumed their march toward the necromancer.

The wind howled with thoughts about lost warmth and broken memories, heavy with dark power and melancholy. The strongest for lasts, uh?

The group had traveled under the watchful gaze of every remaining citizen, who followed behind them as a sort of spectral procession. The funeral kind. Us or theirs? Thought Nashariel, grimly.

Her skill had directed them to the last intact building remaining in the city, a temple dedicated to Lyah'thien wrapped in an unnatural light. It resembled a Hunter’s Hut, only much more filled with green vines than pelts. A solitary woman stood watch, giving her back to the group. She wept, softly but consistently.

So it was her…

“Leave… don’t kill us once again…” Dahlia, or what was left of her, whispered without stopping her cry.

Her real, echoless voice sunk deeply in Nashariel’s heart. It was filled with… sorrow, the empty, hopeless kind of sorrow that saps everything out of you. “Spirit, we can only free you from this torment. Nothing more.”

“No, you can also leave. I won’t give you another chance to be free.” The woman’s cry suddenly stopped. “Go or stay forevermore.”

Nashariel watched her team, receiving firm nods back from each one of her friends. She commanded her secondary mind to prepare all her radiant skills. "Everyone in here will be free once more. Everyone."

Dahlia dropped her head low. "And so a dragon hunt us… again." She nodded to herself. "How foolish of me to hope for a different ending. She was right…" The elf turned towards them.

Her bright clothes fell like ashes, leaving the spirit only covered in a dull grey robe. A specular line of dark purple dropped from both her eyes looking like a perpetual river of tears. Dahlia’s skin impossibly paled, while she lost contact with the ground.

Nashariel widened her eyes. She remembered Phillia talking about this… the name was…

“Banshee, cover your ears!!!” Shouted Veliel. She quickly chanted a song about the joy of life.

Damnation! Nashariel let out her [Radiant aura] empowered by [Shine]. Secondary mind, do not let these skills drop for any reason! Banshees were… dangerous undead, to say it lightly.

/Acknowledged!/

The Banshee let out a sadistic smile. “Finally… fear…” She ignored their skills, her eyes glaring daggers at Nashariel. “They searched for YOU… they wanted YOU… and WE paid for it! Let it be dragons against dragons as it was always meant to be!"

The world broke like a mirror. For the last time.

Rarghak soared through the skies with his mate and son. Their Matriarch had received a vision from the Emperor, one that had revealed the return of the hated Usurper. In her vision, she saw the Usurper trapped in the elven forest, so the most promising of their youth had been sent out to hunt. Great honors awaited the Warband that brought back their corpse.

He, of course, found the restriction stupid. Why care about honor, if the Emperor himself demanded the Usurper's destruction? So he quietly went out with his favorite son and wife, searching for their target.

He was careful to ignore the tall trees, the ones protected by those eternal children, but spared nothing for the small settlements.

This was the fourth one that he visited. The others? Once he knew that the Usurper didn’t hide in them, he ordered his son to torch them to nothing. Good experience for him, system or not.

This time, the druid dared to spit on him. Spit! On Him! He couldn't hold back his flames. An elf that talks back to a dragon like that…

They set the whole place on fire without sparing their reserves. Usually, they didn’t care much about survivors, but this would hopefully teach the mortals their place.

At some point, his flame was sapped away.

Rarghak stared at his frozen aura, astonished. A small creature, biped and winged, giggled at him. Winter fairy…! Tension rose…

Without explanation, the small creature brought out a glacial scythe, severing the dragon’s vision in two.

The next thing he knew, his flame had turned cold… like his body… like his family.

The fairy whispered something in his ears, something that prevented the flame in his soul from being snuffed out completely.

The Usurper was coming.

The honor would be his and his alone.

As soon as Nashariel came back to reality, the illusion of perfection broke. The temple was burned to ashes, save for a solitary wall still standing upright, by some miracle. An earthquake shook her feet, forcing her to drop on all four to avoid rolling like a ball downhill.

The ground itself cracked, screaming like a tortured soul. As in one of Nashariel’s nightmares, three figures slowly climbed out.

Made of bones, decaying flesh, and broken scales, the sorrowful echoes of the dragons rose to meet Nashariel. Their azure gazes locked on her eyes in cold hate. As one, the dragons let out a spectral, echoing roar, more similar to an agonized request for help than a declaration of war. The earth closed up, probably relieved to not host such nightmarish creatures any longer.

Nashariel whimpered. Astill’s mercy, please help us all… at least, the Banshee was no longer in sight. “Dorel, taunt… the small…” As she turned to focus on her friends, Nashariel saw… no one.

A dome of solid mist trapped her with the spectral echoes. By herself. Again.

She growled, clenching both her fists. This shit needs to stop happening yesterday. With a glare, the omnidragon focused on her enemies. Dragon versus dragon, she said, right? Nashariel returned in her true form. She rose on two legs and let out all her frustration, anger, and, frankly, annoyance at this damned place as a whole.

Her roar utterly eclipsed those of the shadows of the past, demolishing even the last wall of the temple with air alone. They all flinched, seemingly almost bowing at her. The azure glow within them pulsed once, and they stood upright once more.

"Secondary mind, break through the third tier."

/Done/

Ignoring the changes in her throat, Nashariel snarled. She let gravity bring her back to the ground with another small earthquake.

Three versus one. This will be… interesting.

“Hold on tight, guys. I’ll come to you in no time.”

Only the sad mist answered her.

Astill, protect them! With the last prayer to her Diety, Nashariel launched into battle.