《Ashes of Hell》Chapter 17 - Training - part 7
Advertisement
Nestor was holding a piece of bread in his right hand, smelling its fresh scent, which reminded him of the wheat fields back in the countryside in Florence.
If it wasn't for its green shade of color and the few red stains over its surface, Nestor would have already taken a few bites.
"I see that the bread is making you hungry, why don't we go to the great banquet and grab something to eat. I have some spare change with me and I think you could utilize some food to refill yourself.
Tomorrow you'll have your first training, and I have some errands to execute for my mentor too."
Linneo's offer was well accepted by the happy monk.
"If you say so, who am I to decline haha!"
Nestor and the trusty knight had just got out from Levante's tent, as Nestor was observing the two articles he had picked up.
One was the piece of bread he was holding onto his right now, as from what Levente said, it wasn't anything like a normal piece of bread. Firstly one had to say that it would slowly regenerate as you eat it, thus one shouldn't eat it all at once.
Obviously, to regenerate itself, it consumed your very stamina. Yet eating it before cultivating your soul would amplify the effects of your training.
For the second gift, Nestor chose a one-time use soul scroll. Activating it didn't cost much soul power and its effect was quite simple yet effective in a difficult situation.
It would teleport him back to a pre-assigned location, given the fact that he wasn't using it further down than the first underground ring.
However, the best thing about it was that it could transport up to two other persons, who had to be in direct contact with the user.
Thus the duo planned to keep on their stroll through the many shops. While Linneo gave a few glances to the various stands, Nestor was already implementing the promise he made to Levante. Thus he wasn't even bothering to check his surroundings.
While speeding up their pace, since the banquets were in the opposite direction of the valley of avarice, a new question sprouted in Nestor's mind.
Advertisement
As he could now see the dark eyes of the colossus sitting on the stone throne in the center of the plaza. The hooded giant stood still, his right arm and finger pointed straight up to the white sun.
He wasn't anything handsome, he held a serious and impassive expression, firmly looking ahead. His eyelids were unflinching, his skin was light gray and his hair black. His body thought seemed to be in good condition, even boasting firm musculature.
"Do you perhaps know anything about him? Is he even still alive?"
Many questions were lingering on LInneo's mind too. As this giant was the first thing that made no real sense to him. In his homeworld, mysterious powers were quite common, as they used them to constantly fend off the cold and monsters that tried to claim his and his people's life.
However, from the rumors he heard til now, this person shouldn't be existing.
"I think I heard something about him, not much though, mostly from the merchants explaining to other newcomers like us.
They said that this giant exists since the people of the chained city have memory. So we are speaking of tens of thousands of years.
He never left his spot, always pointing at the sun. They say that he's still alive even if he doesn't appear to be breathing, some claim to have seen his eyes stare at them, however, there is no proof.
He never speaks or moves and he is unbreakable. From what I understood by the rumors, he might as just be a statue, a remnant of the ancient times, from before anyone can remember."
To Nestor it was all extremely fascinating, this giant might as well have been an important piece of history so ancient that nobody can grasp his origins.
'How can he still be alive, as a living being he must have some sort of metabolism keeping him running. He must eat, drink, and secret feces somehow right?'
However, none would be able to respond to his answers, as the titan came from a period that nobody still remembered.
Yet in form of such a behemoth not everybody behaved in the same way, while Nestor could ponder all he wanted about it, Marco preferred to take action.
Advertisement
The young athlete was now climbing over the giant's legs with the help of his spiked gauntlets. Which were now, in fact, two.
'How hard can his skin even be, I seem to be hitting at rocks and not the flesh of a living being. However I must thank the big bro here, he's giving me so much free training, maybe I should climb him up more often.'
As he kept advancing, Marco had to make way for the various little bird clinging to the giant's long robe. As he switched to the robe, his slow rise had cranked up the pace.
"Woah! What a view, I can truly see the whole plaza from up here. Although, my man, you could clean yourself more every so often right? There is so much dust and filth over here, these damn birds don't give you enough respect uh?"
Marco was currently standing over the titan's left shoulder, mesmerized by the view.
"I can feel why you keep pointing at the sun, it is so beautiful yet unreachable. You know, bro, is this what freedom truly feels like?
One day I'll make it here too, and I'll come back to make you company.
It must be quite depressing to have nobody that really tries to put himself in your shoes. I bet the pipsqueaks down there never really bother coming up here."
Finally, he turned around, to take a better look at the black eyes of the titan, as dark as the abyss.
For a moment he seemed to almost remain sucked inside that deep darkness, however as he stared more, for a moment the giant eyeball suddenly moved. The contest of stares lasted an instant, as Marco magically found himself at the southern edge of the plaza.
'He could have at least said something, am I still too small even for some advice? At least give me your name, it's not like I asked him his phone number.'
A bit disheartened by the rudeness of the giant, Marco resumed his stroll around the citadel, with still his new barbell tightly tied around his back.
More than an hour had passed before they finally reached their destination. An arched entrance preluded another tall building of Ceres, although this one was generally much simpler than the others Nestor had the pleasure to visit.
The columns were much more naked, fewer ornaments were present around the windows, and so on. The floor was made of dark grey stones, while red bricks were left naked to see from the walls. The general architecture didn't resemble as much either the gothic style or the roman one.
Over the entrance was written " A banquet for all the accursed ", which seemed almost a gentle reminder for Nestor, that this city must not be as simple and peaceful as it seems to be on the surface.
Inside the structure, Nestor noticed various halls filled with long, dark wooden tables and chairs. Many empty plates, cutlery, and glasses were already prepared for eventual guests.
At the same time, he could see various humans, and humanoids alike indulging in filling their bellies.
Although the service-related personnel seemed to be composed of little devils.
"They are called imps, don't let your imagination run wild. They are but creatures from below that have been tamed to run tasks such as these.
There is still some more intelligent staff placed around the halls, they make sure to keep the situation under control.
Now, let's eat!"
Not letting his friend repeat himself twice, Nestor quickened up his pace toward the reception area.
'Linneo sure knows a lot, how is that. My master didn't give me much advice, while Cole barely spoke to me.
Is it due to his key being superior to mine? Or maybe Imps existed even back in his homeland.
Time will tell, although I should be less suspicious toward my only true ally.'
Advertisement
- In Serial17 Chapters
A Tower Of Dreams
In a world recovering from the devastation brought by a great plague, a girl with more issues than sense is muddling her way through life. Until she unwittingly sets her foot into a tangled mess of problems that will change her life forever. Disclaimer: Characters, organizations, and objects depicted are fictional. The author will not take responsibility for the loss of any sanity or causation of mental trauma, physical injuries, nightmares, existential crisis, or spontaneous combustion of ducks resulting from reading this work.
8 187 - In Serial35 Chapters
Heretic King
The world ends, game system is invoked, yada yada. After the system set by God causes Thomas Crowe to go crazy, he swears he will kill God, thus getting deemed a Heretic. How will the story go from there? Will he slay God or will he die trying to resist?Mature cause curse words will be used and sex scenes described.. More tags as the story develops.There is references and terms used from other stories. I will link the references If I feel it's not as obviousIf you can give me your opinions in the comments it's my first time writing and I'd love some feedback.Credits to Yang_God_Of_Games_And_Power for the cover!
8 202 - In Serial34 Chapters
The Ocean Flame Palace Host
Schedule: I am officially going on an indefinite hiatus. Sorry to all readers but I just don't have any more ideas. Hai Yun is the youngest Divine Rank Alchemist on the Scarlet Flame continent. He was an orphan picked up by a wandering Alchemist Grand master and raised in the Crystal Ocean Alchemy Sect. As he soon got bored of refining other people’s recipes, he started creating his own. One such recipe was of an elixir that can allow one to retain their memories through reincarnation. He thought this heaven defying elixir could bring about a new golden age for alchemists, to let them keep all of their experience after death. However it only brings about a calamity as the other powers of the martial world immediately begin lusting after this divine object. They attack the Crystal Ocean Alchemy Sect en masse, razing it to the ground. To keep them from getting it, Hai Yun devours the Elixir and obliterates his body so they can never even find another trace of it in this world. However, in his reincarnation a series of very interesting things happen… Glossary: Wuxia Fantasies ***DISCLAIMER*** I do not own any of the artwork which was used in the book cover. It was found through google images. The person in the background of the cover: https://writer.dek-d.com/Viieeww10/story/view.php?id=1414895 The dragon: https://rocketdock.com/addon/walls/36597 The palace: no real link to the artist, but there is this - https://ae01.alicdn.com/kf/HTB1ZBJ1LpXXXXcKXpXXq6xXFXXXL/24X36-INCH-font-b-ART-b-font-SILK-POSTER-castle-font-b-Magic-b-font-font.jpg
8 254 - In Serial21 Chapters
Luck And Chronomancy
Time Magic is the best magic as everyone knows, although there are lots of unique Talents in the world. Most people only remember Haste because it is hard to get to higher Phases of Chronomancy. That is still enough to make the Talent iconic. A lucky enough Aleatory Talent can position you for greatness or leave you languishing in obscurity. The only true equality in the world is when that glowing message pops up at 8 years old. Even if it doesn't activate until you are an adult at 16 you still know. Sure you can find a new dungeon spawn and get another chance at a rare Talent, even this one, but you have to already be ready to delve into the *Far Wilds*, which is far easier with wealth or family power. This is the story of where my good fortune took me and the difference it made, even among a party of 7 others including an Arcanist. It is a journey of magic and monsters but also math, which some think is actually worse. Luckily I was born with Intelligence and Focus as my personal traits, and my parents were scholars. Of course Chronomancy can also be a frontline combat talent. Versitility well beyond other Elder Talents like Gravity, Abstraction, or Arcana. Might could have worked for me, too. I also met a runaway princess. All the best adventures have a princess. She hated being a noble and we didn't get married but it still counts. Besides she really filled out our front line. All that Leadership training came in handy. I still don't know where she's from. Who cares? How well Haste goes with giant hammers is what's important. I never learned much about anyone in the party, except the one I grew up with. I'm not a people person. I just wanted to optimize dungeon clearing time. *******Story Details******* No romance, politics, or traumatizing content, slice of life, or even dialogue. 1st person narration, like a guide/adventure log. 2000-7000 words a day, maybe 40-60% rpgish combat log with some reasoning on combat decisions, with the rest character Talent discussion and progression stuff. 8 person party with a decent variety in roles. Party members usually have 2 primary functions. Told from the support/control Chronomancer's perspective. Each party member will have 6 Basic/Background Traits, then 3 actual Talents with abilities. Capstone from their Educational Institution, Arbritrary as a gift from the temples, and Aleatory which is decided at birth, revealed at 8, and activated after adulthood at 16. Aleatory Traits ignore requirements and are random why is why they are so important. They'll gain new Talents from finding Dungeons to consume in the *Wilds*. Mature dungeons in cities can provide *Challenges* to raise the Phase of a Talent, up to 3 times from 1 to 4. Each character will get to roughly 8 non-Trait Talents. Attributes come exclusive from Talents, are required by Talents, and provide various effects as well. I designed about 220 Talents with abilities, 4 in each of 4 phases. "Traits" are just Attribute stuff. I'm not sure how many will be detailed in the story, more than 100 for sure. I used Talents because I want to be free of the legacy of tabletop. Half those rules are just because of the limitations inherent in a pre-computer ttrpg. This story mostly uses combat Talents, although like 1/3 of the 220 are for crafting and other society and economy stuff. If you really wanted to be a Thief you might take Intuition, Awarness, and Might for Basic Traits and Deftness, Manipulation, and Trickery for Family/Education. Then you'd pick Acrobatics, and Climbing for Educational Capstone and Arbitrary traits. You Aleatory Trait might be Shadow(Light/Dark) Magic, Umbramancy. A Bard might swap Dexterity for Charisma, Music for Acrobatics, and have gotten Illusion(Shadow/Sound(Air/Force)) for their Aleatory Trait.
8 179 - In Serial10 Chapters
When Goblins Attack
The first sequel to The Art of Being Entreri When goblins are found in the nearby mountains, Entreri is hesitant to offer aid, but when a group of soldiers is captured and the town's security is threatened, he is forced into action. Complicating his efforts is the presence of Elliorn, the ranger who swore to hunt the assassin down and kill him. Entreri must find a way to rescue the men and kill the goblins and the frost giant in charge while avoiding capture from the ranger.
8 195 - In Serial9 Chapters
Rozmowy przy kawusi z...
Ogółem to robię sobie żarty, więc jak chcesz się ze mną pośmiać to zapraszam.
8 124

