“The omnidragon has always been a mysterious being.

It can be born from anyone and anything, seemingly at random; it seems to remember past lives and, as icing on the cake, it mocks us humans with our same versatility, but with the unparalleled mastery of a monster!

Countless studies have been made upon it, but none of them has yielded any proper result as of yet. Mostly because every research team sent to investigate has been eaten, or worse…

Befriended.”

-Professor Alaric, from the beacon of Civilization.

Nashariel pov

Nashariel jolted awake, shielding her eyes from the sun. Did I fall asleep?

/You were utterly exhausted, primary mind. Worry not, I kept watching for you/

Thanks. Nashariel searched for her friends.

She heard them breathing softly right behind her. Someone had brought them on the solid ground, leaving only their bare feet submerged in the water. A quick shot of [Medical eye] revealed nothing new. Seems like this skill is too weak on its own, at least at this Tier.

Just as Nashariel debated if she should’ve come out of the absolutely warm waters or not, the temperature dropped considerably. “Well awake, Empress. Did the initial part of our deal satisfy you?” The Omen asked in her cold tone. How could she actually seem friendly with the utter lack of emotions and expression was a mystery worthy of an Inquisitor’s attention.

The dragokin examined her inner self. After a moment, she replied. “I think so, thank you. How are they doing?”

The ‘elf’ glanced at the Templars. “They are recovering well, we believe. They shall sleep for a day or two. The curse ran deep within them. We were mistaken; they wouldn’t have passed the week, were it not for these waters.”

Gods…“They would’ve died without your help, right?”

The Omen nodded. “We believe so.” She paused for a moment. “No, we are sure of it. Thank us not, for you bought their lives with your freedom, albeit temporarily.”

Nashariel nodded. “True. I was just asking myself, how are my services going to be of use to you? You are much more powerful than I am.”

“Correct, but we do not possess the power of ubiquity, nor we are permitted to meddle too much with our children’s lives.” Her eyes glinted again with a strange light. “Moreover, Empress of the many lives, we know that you’ll recover your powers or die trying. Such a powerful being like you is better as an ally than an enemy.”

Aaaaand here we go again with the interested part. Must everyone treat me like this? The omnidragon sighed. “I read about my past lives, but why my species is such a big deal? I faced red dragons near my level before. I… couldn’t do much against them. Like, not at all.”

“You have been raised amongst the kind ones. You have not experienced many fights worthy of a dragon, while a Clan forces them to battle since the moment they reach their Young stage. We shall fix this. We wonder if you'll ask this question again when Spring comes." She cocked her head.

Nashariel knew what the spirit hinted at.

In all her years at the Bastion, she had barely unlocked Metal and a few skills. After a real mission, she unlocked Mind and Lightning. In this forest, she had improved significantly.

Right, I still need to evolve Mist and Spirit. Nashariel smiled at the thought. Mom’s element, finally! Her smile dropped when she thought about using it with her friends. In the sense that she couldn’t without putting them at risk. “I get it, but what’s special about it? I’ll never be as good at an element as one that specialized in it for all their life.”

“We know that your kind has powerful racial skills. Sharing your status and progresses with us will help us know more about you. For the other matter, haven’t you noticed that all elements have a specific, glaring weakness? Mortals can partially fix those by buying other attunements. Monsters, on the other hand, cannot, even despite our superior mastery.”

Nashariel came out of the lake, sitting near the Omen. “We’ll see after winter’s over, then.” She shrugged. “That said, can you tell me what happened to the village? That Banshee read (Fairy twisted), and you talked about a game and a test for me…” Now that I think about it, perhaps I should’ve asked about this before accepting a deal. Nashariel mentally sighed. That’s what I get for acting without thinking! What if she was the necromancer?!

“Druids are the children that herd the others. As a last resort, they are granted the right to call upon a favor from a Court, depending on the nature of the help they require. When my Court answers, the child comes back as an undead, usually a Banshee for the female ones. This time, one of my sisters used this favor as an excuse to set up a game for her friends, and a test for the current Empress. Many bets have been placed upon your results. Many lost riches.”

“They tortured all those souls… for their amusement?” Nashariel felt sick at the thought.

The Omen nodded. “And to test you. It’s been quite a while since a young Empress visited us.”

“But you didn’t enjoy it.”

“We did not. While we share such curiosity, the warmth of our children shouldn’t have been sacrificed for it.” A cold wind howled nearby, freezing and pulverizing some of the nearby grass.

Nashariel shivered. “I’m sorry, Omen of Winter.”

“Existing isn’t anyone’s fault, Empress.” The wind died down. “But we appreciate the intention behind your words.”

Nashariel decided to change the topic. "So, for my part of the deal…" she trailed off.

“Are you healed, Empress? If so, we would gladly look into your status.”

The omnidragon shrugged. “I feel fine, but I don’t know if I’m fully alright. I’ll read everything to you.”

“We can directly be in your inner world, should you wish to invite us in. We would prefer so.”

Right, demigods can do this. “Sure.”

Throwing a last glance to her still sleeping friends, Nashariel fell into her status.

As always, the plaza welcomed her, unchanged. As opposed to the other times, the mild perpetual fog was a bit more bluish. The Omen stood nearby in her true form, taking the surroundings in.

“We expected something more… royal.” She finally said, looking at her.

Nashariel shrugged. “My status and you keep calling me Empress, but I never felt like one. I’m Nashariel, nothing else.”

“A mistake that one day will fix itself. You shall see, Empress.”

The dragokin wasn't convinced but didn't say anything. "I gave you my name, what about yours?"

“Names have power, Empress. Do not gift it lightly. Yet, you may call us Fel, if you so wish.”

Nashariel nodded, then approached her slate, followed by Fel.

* Phantom/Torment/Sound-Fairy twisted Banshee Lvl 200 has been defeated.

Rewards assigned.

Omnidragon Lvl up!

Mist and Spirit affinities are available for evolution!

Ice attunement unlock cost reduced to-> 36

Sound attunement unlock cost reduced to-> 38

All fire attunements are easier to unlock.

Name: Nashariel Holyshield

Race: Omnidragon (young)

Age: 18

Current humanoid form: Human dragokin

Current attunement: -

Level: 111-> 114

Available stat points: 128

Available skill points: 102

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 12-> 19

Omnidragon adaptability Lvl 5-> 6

Draconic breath (II) Lvl 20-capped-> Omnidragon’s breath (III) Lvl 3

Draconic fighting style (II) Lvl 20-capped

Draconic Aura (II) Lvl 14-> 17

Draconic hoard Lvl 13

Draconic presence Lvl 12

Air:

Improved flight Lvl 20-capped

Draconic feathers Lvl 20-capped

Decreased air resistance Lvl 3-> 5

Water:

Draconic venom (II) Lvl 1

Draconic dive (II) Lvl 8

Dragon’s sight Lvl 2-> 4

Improved grapple Lvl 16-> 20 (getting out of your hold becomes slightly harder)

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 18

Dark:

Nullify presence Lvl 15

Improved draining Lvl 20-capped

Shroud of darkness Lvl 8

Metal:

Metal manipulation Lvl 8-> 9

Metal creation Lvl 16

Metal armor Lvl 15

Sharpened wings Lvl 4-> 6

Manufactured weapon mastery Lvl 6-> 8

Metal dragon fighting style Lvl 13-> 15

Mind:

Intellect of the Mind dragon Lvl 9-> 12

Mind healing Lvl 7

Dual mind Lvl 10-> 15

Mental power generation Lvl 4

Mental empowerment Lvl 2-> 3

Body of the Mind dragon Lvl 3

Lightning:

Body of the lightning dragon Lvl 6

Voltage generation Lvl 8-> 9

Lightning creation Lvl 3

Lightning manipulation Lvl 2

Lightning empowerment Lvl 6-> 7

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-> 4

Curse:

Body of the Cursed dragon Lvl 1-> 6

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 8-> 14

Aura of Radiance Lvl 6-> 13

Radiant light Lvl 1-> 3

Radiant infusion Lvl 5-> 11

Radiance empowerment Lvl 1-> 12

Shine generation Lvl 1-> 6

Radiant armor Lvl 1-> 4

Poison:

Create poison Lvl 1-> 2

Generate virulence Lvl 1-> 2

Refine toxins Lvl 1 *

Nashariel had expected Radiance’s massive improvements. It had been almost the only element she used in the whole village, after all. The new version of her breath weapon was only Lvl 3, but she had expected it since it had gone up by a Tier. “What do you say?” Nashariel asked the Omen.

“How have you not unlocked all your attunements already?” The spirit asked. “Have you been forbidden to improve?”

“Astill’s mercy, not at all! It’s just that they cost a lot, and I’ve been busy since awakening. We were supposed to start doing some Quests just now, but…”

“What was more important than rebuilding your might?” The spirit asked, sounding slightly perplexed.

Nashariel briefly summarized her years at the Bastion.

“So, no one taught you how to be in your true self.”

“Well… no, not really. I learned with bouts and in my free time.”

“… We wonder, have you been kept this weakened on purpose?”

“What do you mean?” Asked a startled Nashariel.

“From what you have told us, you have been denied almost everything you truly needed to grow powerful. For example, we know that several dragons are Astill’s faithful. How come that none of them had been called to teach you?”

“Well, the existence of omnidragons is not public in Varastill, and the Grandmaster ordered me to keep my nature hidden to avoid attracting dangerous… attentions.”

Fel cocked her head. “A valid reason. However, that does not justify the… neglect you’ve been subjected to, Empress.”

Nashariel violently shook her head. “I’m sure that the Grandmaster has his reasons.” Whatever they may be… whispered a voice in Nashariel’s head. The dragokin squashed it. “What would you recommend to improve?”

The other stared at her for a moment, then returned her gaze to the slate. “Without your elements, you are incomplete. We suggest fixing that, as we are not dragons in nature, so that style of fighting is unknown to us.”

“Fair enough.” She stopped to do a quick count. “How do you intend me to acquire a thousand points or so for the rest of my forms?”

“We’ll talk about that later, Empress. For now, we advise you to save all your points, unless there’s something you believe necessary to acquire…?”

Nashariel swept her gaze on the various chambers. “Not for now, I think. No promises, though.”

The other nodded. “Then enjoy some rest for today. We shall be back tomorrow.” Fel vanished.

The omnidragon stared at the statue of the giant dragon in front of her. Secondary mind, what do you think? About home, I mean.

/I do not know, primary mind. The facts lead me to agree with the fae, but, as you said, we haven’t the full picture/

Nashariel sighed. She recalled what the first fire dragon she had faced told her about… about getting killed as soon as she wasn't useful anymore. Will they do that, if I become too powerful?

Distressed, she exited from her status, staring at the lake. They wouldn’t do that… wouldn’t they?

Two hours later, someone approached, distracting Nashariel from her unpleasant thoughts.

Three Rangers respectfully bowed at her. “Templar, an Omen of Winter sent us. How may we be of further use?” One of them questioned.

Nashariel briefly explained their situation, then gestured towards her friends. "Their bodies need nourishment. Can you do something about it?" There were spells for that, but obviously, Nashariel couldn't provide them yet.

Another elf nodded. "With your permission, we'll take them inside the Sacred Oak. The waters of this lake run even within it, although weakened.”

Nashariel nodded, thanking them.

The elves gently grabbed an Astillian each, save for the dragokin, and did as they said.

An elven mage laid a glowing amulet on each one of her sleeping friends.

They had been placed on a soft-looking bed, one that emanated Light-attuned essence, inside an inn. The building itself resembled a Clinic, if a weird-looking one. Astillian influence from the war? Mused Nashariel. The water's lake has influenced the tree, making everything here some sort of sacred ground. I wonder if Healing is a popular attunement here.

“Thank you for your help.” She whispered.

The mage gave her a brief smile. “We owe Templars that much. If there’s anything you need, don’t hesitate to call us.” He said in the same volume. After that, he walked away.

Nashariel looked upon the others. “Whatever the truth is, you’re my friends.” She whispered even more softly. “The rest doesn’t matter.”

The next day, Nashariel was sparring by herself in her dragokin form. The physical activity had helped to put some order in her thoughts.

She resolved to see Grandmaster Antoine's reaction to her massive increase in power, before jumping to conclusions. It only seemed fair towards the wise man.

“Well awake, Empress.” Fel said, accompanied by the sudden and familiar drop in temperature.

Nashariel finished the exercise, de-manifested her weapon, then turned. "Fel, welcome back." She replied with a friendly smile. Whatever the fae's opinion was, she had saved her friends' lives.

The fairy opened up another Shortcut. “Please, follow us." She stepped to the other side.

Nashariel followed.

She found herself on a mountainous peak, surrounded by snow and ice. Despite her resistance, something in the environment allowed the cold to sink inside her. "Where are we?" Nashariel asked loudly, forced by the strong winds. The portal behind her closed off.

“This is the place we have first visited once we first traveled between realms. It is our home, you may say.” The Omen answered in her true form. Despite the howling of the blizzard, she didn’t need to speak louder. “And here you shall receive our first lesson. Please, Empress, make yourself home.”

Nashariel shivered, but sat on a rock. The snow unnaturally wrapped around her, burying her in moments except for her face. She repressed her panic.

“We have a question for you. What does an element want?”

Nashariel threw her a confused look. “What do you mean?”

“Each element has a purpose and a way to achieve it. You have unlocked some skills; haven’t they talked about their attunement?”

“Like how Radiance wants to destroy evil at all costs?”

“Precisely. The more you understand an element, the more you grow closer to it. It’s not by chance that it’s called ‘Attunement’. For you, Empress of the many lives, it means that your body needs less assistance from the system to reawaken that part of itself, for you innately are born with them all.”

Nashariel’s eyes widened. That’s why Cores help me so much! They give me essence and comprehension! Nashariel’s thoughts ran at the Torment Core.

Initially, she had attributed the almost instant free unlock of her Cursed Aspect to the higher Tier spell. But by reading the Body skill, and listening to the fae, the experience had taught her about the purpose of the Curse line.

Pain.

“I think I get what are we going to do.”

“Good. Now, please, tell me about the purpose of the cold. We shall help.”

Suddenly, the snow around Nashariel grew extremely cold.

Every inch of the dragokin's body was getting frost burns and healing them at equal speed.

Ignoring the chatter of the teeth, Nashariel closed her eyes.

What does the cold want? The girl asked herself. Despite having endured some cold attacks, the question was tricky, as she didn’t have the skills to tell her directly. She shifted into her Mind Aspect, thinking quicker.

“Don’t. Every element has its own view of the world. You must be impartial.” The Omen chided.

Grumbling, Nashariel returned to her gray self.

She thought about the fairy herself. She often spoke about warmth… Nashariel analyzed how the snow was damaging her. It sapped her heat, freezing her body. “The purpose of cold is to steal the warmth.” She declared.

“A fine enough answer for the first Tier, Empress. Now, deepen that comprehension as much as you can.”

For a time, Nashariel did as asked. The moment she realized that the snow wanted all to sleep forever under a blanket of ice, she felt like she hit a wall. “I think I’m done.” She said, yawning.

The snow fell, freeing her view. A few icy spears floated around the Omen, all aimed at Nashariel.

“Good. As our children say, half the lesson is theory, the other is…”

“Practice.” Concluded Nashariel, gulping. Duck me for agreeing to this!

Nodding, the spirit started her bombardment.

It lasted for quite a while.

*Ice affinity is now free to evolve! *

Nashariel wasn’t exactly feeling as cheerful as the message itself. Ouchie…

After an hour of pause, during which Nashariel healed herself, Fel decided to start again.

“We can only provide Gale, Wind in your case, Empress. Are you ready?”

Nashariel stopped drawing snow angels, more like snowy abominations-looking things, and sat upright once again. "I know that Wind is based on being as fast as possible." Or so my Aspect selection says.

“Wind is as simple as that.” Fel agreed with a nod. “But now answer: How, exactly?”

The blizzard around Nashariel grew much more intense, so much that the dragokin was almost sent flying.

She debated if returning in her true form could be of help, but she figured that the powerful fae would simply increase the wind’s potency.

Something that jumped to her mind was that the wind's quickness also translated into strength. Then… what? Some snow hit her in the face. Flight? The currents help me to fly faster and better… “Wind is… movement. Air can stand still, but Wind must always be on the move. Simply speaking, the faster, the better.”

“Quite an accurate insight, Empress, almost worthy of Gale.” The blizzard stopped. “Now deepen it.”

Satisfied with herself, Nashariel did as asked.

She helped herself by thinking about the times she flew with her friends or raced against Veliel. The priestess often beat her, that feathery, speedy, overgrown duck! Nashariel smiled at the memories.

After some time, she still didn’t feel the block. She reported so to Fel.

“It is quite normal.” The Omen replied. “It simply means that you aren’t fully attuned to the element, yet. We suggest flying against currents or doing crazy acrobatics. It helped us, a long time ago.”

Nashariel nodded, returning to her true form. "Will it help if I stay in my Air form?"

“It might, but we suggest once again to remain neutral. Your impartiality is your greatest tool, and it must remain sharp at all costs.”

The dragoness nodded again, then rose in flight.

At first, she flew without a worry.

Just at that moment, Nashariel realized that she hadn't done that in… quite a while. The moment she and her friends had found themselves stranded in Lyah’thien, the dragoness had flown only with a purpose and hurry. Or avoided it altogether, since Phillia’s warning.

Gods, I missed flying just to… fly. Nashariel inspired deeply the pungent air of the mountain she was circling. She enjoyed doing all the air-stunts that her parents bleached at, like speeding against the ground as fast as possible, just to change course at the last second.

Maneuvers impossible for her just a few months ago came as easy as breathing to her, thanks to her improved experience and dexterity. She flew faster and faster, letting out a mighty roar against the world. Astill’s mercy, I love flying!

While she had that thought, the blizzard intensified.

A ton of snow blinded the dragoness, forcing her to rely on her instinct. She felt the currents pushing her against the ground, so the girl beat her mighty wings with all her strength.

The wind pushed harder.

Nashariel gritted her teeth. Something in her instincts whispered her to stop opposing. Trusting the thought, she did just that.

The dragoness fell inexorably. Her heart thumped quicker and quicker in her chest. Just as she was less than five meters from the ground, Nashariel angled her wings, letting the wind pass right under them, speeding like an oversized arrow.

She tried to land correctly, but the snow didn’t let her.

Nashariel slipped, and smashed against the rocky wall of the mountain, causing all the snow above to fall upon her. The wall rumbled.

Once Nashariel managed to get out, she erupted in a booming laugh.

The blizzard stopped, allowing the omnidragon to spot the Fel nearby. “Having fun, we hope.”

Nashariel chuckled. “I missed doing this. Thank you, Fel.”

The Fae’s eyes glinted mischievously. “It is our pleasure. Again?”

The dragoness let out a full-toothed grin.

*Wind is now free to evolve! *

Nashariel curiously looked at the notification. “How did we go from 50 to zero? You didn’t even attack me.”

“We heavily influenced your flight. Not all practice needs to come from enduring direct aggressions.”

The monstrous duo was resting atop the peak. Well, Nashariel was, while the Omen kept her company. The fae still looked un-winded. Nashariel snickered. “That’s a relief to hear. For the other elements…?”

“The dangers we’ll ask you to deal with will provide the attunements you lack.”

Nashariel sighed. “Fair enough. And their comprehension?”

“Their nest will facilitate it. Otherwise, you may also reflect on the element’s purpose somewhere else, even if comprehension may come slower. We suggest, if not hurry, a respectable amount of alacrity.”

The omnidragon nodded. “Thanks. Should we go back, or is one of such dangers nearby?”

The Omen chuckled, the sound resembling many small bells jingling together. “This is our home. No monster threat nearby but you and us. We shall be back as soon as you solidify your evolutions.”

Nashariel grunted in agreement. She lied down on the snowy ground, closed her eyes, and accepted all her new forms.

*Mist Attunement is unlocked.

May your enemies be forever lost in your mazes, young omnidragon.

Spirit attunement is unlocked.

May your ethereal might bring your enemies on their knees, young omnidragon.

Ice attunement is unlocked.

May the unmoving ice freeze your enemies and shield you from harm, young Omnidragon.

Wind attunement is unlocked.

May the joy you feel when flying be spread among all those you call friends, young Omnidragon.

Evolving…

Evolving…

Evolving…

Evolving…

Evolution complete!

Evolution complete!

Evolution complete!

Evolution complete!

2 free skills per attunements have been granted. *

“Just 22 attunements more and I’m done.” Nashariel chuckled, as soon as she came out of her status.

“And yet, not as hard of a task as you imagined, Empress.”

“True, true. Any skills that you recommend with the free ones?”

“We suggested acquiring all elements before any other skill, free or not. We are sure that you’ll accomplish that shortly, relatively speaking.”

Nashariel made a face. “Can you tell me how many dangers I’ll face, again?”

“We did not yet say.” The fairy replied with another chuckle. She opened another Shortcut. “We think that you’d like to go, now.”

The dragoness returned dragokin, then stepped on the other side with the spirit.

Once there, she was greeted by the scorching sun. The temperature difference had Nashariel steaming.

“How cold was that, by the way?”

“A mortal of your level would have become ice in minutes. Without our presence, that is.”

Holy duck, that’s cold. A splash of water attracted her attention. Nashariel smiled from ear to ear.

The rest of the gang was bickering amongst themselves.

She silently took flight.

Then, as soon as one of them called the others out, Nashariel dropped inside the sacred, holy lake, flooding all of them at once.

She hoped that the paladin that sanctified the ground wasn’t able to see her.