I took a few moments to get my bearing and checked my Interface for the time. It was extremely early in the morning, a couple of hours before the sun would be up. I closed my eyes and concentrated on my hearing and breathing wondering what woke me when I heard the faint sounds of movement below.

I frowned in worry as I silently moved to the door and outside as I looked at the forest floor below. Figures were moving about, but it was still too dark and they were too far for me to make out more then-obscure figures. I silently moved back inside and donned all my gear before triggering Stealth.

I heard the faint splashes of liquid striking a surface and frowned as I smelled the air...oil!! I quickly moved as I drew my dagger, I was on the outer edge of the enclave due to being an outsider, with allowed me to move more freely without being noticed by whoever these people were. I did my best to silently climb down the rope ladder and to the forest floor.

All the intruders were looking up or inwards, so I silently made my way forward keeping low and near any natural shadows. I came up behind the first intruder and drove one dagger into the base of his skull as I triggered Backstab. The man convulsed as I wrenched my blade free of his body causing a spray of blood as I caught him before he hit the ground. I silently laid him next to the shadows of a nearby tree before activating Stealth again and moving forward towards Rodrins smithy.

Hopefully, the crotchety old Wood Elf was fine, if not I knew Lia would miss him even if no one else would. I encountered two more intruders, both died silently and neither one gave away anything about why they were there other than to burn down the commune.

The smithy was silent and the exhausted form of the older elf was sleeping on the cot near the front. I dropped out of Stealth and placed my hand over his mouth causing him to jerk awake but he froze when he saw it was me. "Intruders are in the commune, they are dousing the House Trees in oil. None have been lit, yet. Where is Lia?" I whispered to him as I removed my hand from over his mouth.

The older Wood Elf frowned, "She is above in my home. It's not big and I was working late getting your sword ready. What Race were they? Did you see any emblems?" Rodrin asked as he moved deeper into his smithy.

"Humans and I noticed an emblem of a clenched fist with lightning bursting from it," I told the older Elf as he emerged from the back of the Smithy decked out in armor and weapons.

"Sounds like they are part of a group called the Sons of Zeus, its an extremist group that is known for targeting isolated communities of Non-Humans and slaughtering them. How they found us, I have no idea. Yet if we don't stop them they will kill or enslave everyone here.' Rodrin stated as he shoved a sheath into my hands. I recognized the hilt immediately and looked at the smith. 'Don't thank me. Reforging woke the weapon and now it will choose its master. If you are not its master, it will likely kill you." I studied the gold and silver wrapped hilt as I grabbed it and drew the blade.

It still glowed softly, but where Moonlight had been silver looking, this blade was pitch black and had runes etched into it that glowed with a purple and black light. 'Its good to be back, did you miss me boss?' the blade asked as I brought up its stats and smiled.

Spoiler: Spoiler

Weapon Name: Night's Edge

Weapon Type: Bladed Weapon; Blackened Titan Steel, Mithril, Silver, Gold, Elven Arming Sword

Class: Ancient Artifact; Living Weapon, Level 1

Base Damage: 50

Primary Effect...

--- +30 Shadow Damage + (Character Level X 0.5)

--- Increase Vitality by (Character Level X 0.5)

--- Increase Wisdom by (Character Level X 0.5)

--- +5% Attack Speed

--- +50% Critical Hit Damage

Secondary Effects...

--- Living Weapon's Gift: +400 Experience per Kill

--- Living Weapon's Price: -200 Experience per Kill

--- Night's Edge Skill Tree Unlocked

'Forged from light, darkness, and moonlight, Night's Edge was reforged with one purpose and only its wielder can truly master it.'

My smile grew as I responded, "More then you know buddy. Glad to have you back and in one piece." I told him as Rodrin's eyes bulged as the blade hummed with power as I whirled it and went through a few quick motions before placing it back in the sheath on my belt.

'Glad to hear it, boss. So what do we got? Am I looking pretty or are we dealing with some business?' the blade responded.

I smirked as I checked my other equipment. "We got slavers to kill and Human supremacists to deal with," I told the blade as I triggered Stealth as I moved towards the door and the waiting slavers.

'Oh, hell yeah!! Let's kill some idiots.' the sword crowed out in my mind as it went silent. I drew my dagger as I made my way out in the small commune and into the ongoing trouble. Rodrin followed on my heels, wrapped in shadows, but a blue outline made him visible in my eyes. Three more Sons were up ahead, spreading oil among some tree roots. I caught the smiths attention and gestured to the far left then pointed to the smith. I then pointed to the far right, then myself, Rodrin nodded as he moved forward.

While Stealth might keep you hidden, if you stepped on a twig, the snapping sound still occurred. So I carefully closed with my target as I held my blade close to my arms as I had been instructed long ago. My dagger went into his kidney, as my talons sliced across his throat as I triggered Backstab. I left the dagger in his kidney as I grabbed the jug he had dropped in one hand and the dying man with my other hand. I quickly lay the jug down and dragged the body into some nearby shadows before emerging to see the other two Humans dead and Rodrin waiting for me. I snorted in amusement as I activated Stealth once again and moved forward deeper into the around the commune.

The Sons of Zeus while organized, were not the best combatants. Well, the ones here were not very skilled and we quickly eliminated twenty of them. "Can you evacuate your commune? If they found you once, they can and will attack you again." I told the old Wood Elf as we watched as the bodies burn.

"We don't have a choice now. Where will you go?" the old Elf asked and I considered my options about what to do. Before a could respond lightning lit up the small clearing and when it dissipated a glowering man stood glaring at us.

A tag appeared above him [Lightining Priest] I quickly read it before it disappeared. "You dare strike at the faithful." I snorted in amusement looking at Rodrin but based on the Elfs worried look the man was serious.

"They came here to kill and enslave. They knew the risk of coming and choose to do so anyway. Just like we were free to defend ourselves. Not even your god can begrudge us that Priest." I replied earning a glare.

"You will bow before the power of Zeus or will die!" the man replied and I chuckled in response.

"I have no idea what Pantheon I will join and I am certain he doesn't give a shit about me at this point in time. Leave off and go home, tell your followers to not be assholes, and stop killing Non-Humans." I told the priest. He snarled and spat a word as blue and gold lighting shot from his hand towards me and I instinctively triggered Blood Shield in response.

A blood-red opaque shield sprang into existence as the magic slammed into it. I grunted, the bastard was strong but my shield spell protected us from the damage. The priest cursed as he broke off his attack, "You can use divine magic! Who do you follow?" Rodrin exclaimed as both men were stunned.

The Lightning Priest unlimbered a two-pronged bident from his back and I pulled Night's Edge from its sheath as I felt the excitement from the Living Weapon. "Go, I will deal with this deranged priest. Tell your granddaughter thanks for everything." I told him before launching myself forward at the priest.

Our weapons clashed in a shower of sparks, black and purple against blue and gold. The priest had reach and power, I had speed and determination on my side as I ducked the man's counter-attack and lashed out. The priest screamed as Night's Edge sliced across his legs. The man hopped back and launched a series of short jabs at me that I deftly deflected or avoided. While I was no longer encumbered by heavy armor, I also lacked its protection as well. I darted within the priests reach and punched him hard in the gut before rolling away as Night's Edge sliced along his arm.

"What the fuck are you? I have been blessed by Zeus himself---" I snorted in amusement at the priest's rant.

"Wow, blessed by the equivalent of a drunk fratboy, I wouldn't be so proud of that. Time to end this!' I told him as black flames licked along Night's Edge and three arrows sprouted from the man's chest, I snarled and cut off his head as I turned and glared at Lia as several notifications popped up but I ignored them. 'What the hell are you thinking! I had it taken care of and did not need help!" I rumbled and she shrugged her shoulders.

"I reacted, I am sorry. The others will be evacuated and move deeper into the Black Forest within thirty minutes. We need to grab supplies and move out as well." Lia replied as she turned and left.

I cursed as stopped over the body and cleaned Night's Edge before shoving it back in its sheath and pulling up the notifications.

>>

Quest Alert: Humanitarian

Notice: Zealots or holy warriors, a group of Son's of Zeus attacked your hosts. In defense, you killed them all and the Lightning Priest that supported their actions. You have received 5,000 Experience, increased Reputation with the Wood Elves of Black Forest, your Reputation with the Son's of Zeus has decreased to Unfriendly.

>>

Skill Name: Stealth

Skill Level: 4

Skill Type: Active

Effect 1: Increase the chance to hide from enemies by 13%.

Range: Self

Duration: Until Canceled

Cast Time: Instant

Cost: 10 Stamina

Cooldown: N/A

Skill Name: Backstab

Skill Level: 3

Skill Type: Active

Effect 1: 5 X normal damage with a knife.

Effect 2: 3 X normal damage with all other weapons.

Effect 3: 5% Increased Critical Hit Chance

Range: Melee

Cast Time: Instant

Cost: 20 Stamina

Cooldown: 30 Seconds

>>

2 X Level up!

You have (130) unassigned Attribute Points. Attribute Points can be assigned at any time.

You have (12) unassigned Skill Points. Skill Points can be assigned at any time.

>>

I dismissed the information and wondered what I should do...I needed to organize whatever religion I was going to have, but how would I go about that I had no idea. "How are you, Jacob?" I whirled around my blade half clear of its sheath as I froze in surprise.

I slid it back in and gave the older man an attempt at a smile, "How are you doing old man?" I asked Balance causing him to laugh as he gestured for me to sit down.