(xxi)

Lazarus wasn’t sure how long he was out for. An hour… or a century. Based on how miserable he felt it was probably somewhere in the middle. But he wouldn’t be surprised if it was far longer. He had been subjected to forces that should have, by all rights, ended his very existence.

But they hadn’t.

“Father, you are awake. Wonderful!” clapped Ces.

Somehow he could see the obviously insane spirit. He was unsure how, exactly. But he was. In fact, he could see all around him like some kind of three hundred and sixty degree awareness. An Omni awareness, at least within the circle of influence that he could feel.

“It will take some time to become fully aware, Father. Converting from a phylactery to a heart core is a distressing event at best. I was uncertain that you would survive, but I am glad that you did!” explained Ces. “I instinctively felt that you would, of course. Or I would not have attempted such a daring boost to your own amazing power. This was the only way I could ensure the Archon did not sense you further and come back to finish the job. Your amulet was powerful, but he is far more so.”

That shook the Lich to his core. Knowing that he had upgraded his phylactery to be immune to all normal damage, yet being told that the man who had ended his undead body in an instant could shatter it easily? That was a serious problem.

One that he wasn’t ready to address just yet.

“How can I see you now? What have you done to boost my power… wait, you said my phylactery was powerful. What happened to it?” asked the Lich, still somewhat jarred and confused by the rapid events that had taken place.

Ces practically bounced from foot to foot in excitement. “I have merged your phylactery with my heart core. You are now more, and different, than you were before. In what ways I am unsure, this is surely a first for this world,” she explained poorly.

Sighing, Lazarus brought up his character screen, mentally freezing in shock at what he saw. If he still had a jaw, he was sure it would have unhinged and fallen off.

Race: Ascended Lich Core

Sex: N/A

Class: Undead Necrophage

Title: Bag of Bones

Skills:

Death's Companion – Summon a Unique intelligent companion (evolving skill), Level MAX

UPGRADED: Summon a powerful, and permanent, undead companion. Warning, companion may be hostile or go rogue if their needs are not met.

Summon Jet - Allows you to summon Death's Companion Jet back to the summoner. Level MAX

UPGRADED: Summon Jet within your area of influence as a permanent companion. Jet will naturally respawn over time at your Core. Jet will naturally evolve and grow in strength the longer he is alive.

Create Undead – Create Animal undead that can follow basic orders. Create Human sized undead that can follow basic orders. Level 2

UPGRADED: Summon mid-tier undead with greater health, Mana capacity, and abilities. Requires organic material.

Pain Retribution – Level MAX

UPGRADED: Not only do you not feel pain, you can accumulate pain and unleash it on your foes within range of your Core.

Mana Manipulation – Level MAX

You are a master of all things Mana.

Master of Unarmed Combat – User gains access to martial skills (Requires the unarmed skill as a prerequisite). Damage increased while not wielding a weapon.

Upon possessing a body or a summons, you fully understand and can utilize it in unarmed combat.

Charged Strike – Level 2

LEVEL UP: You can coil your body using compressed mana to strike far harder than any mortal.

Spell Craft – Level N/A

Your other world wisdom knows no bounds. Craft your spells using knowledge that does not exist within this reality.

Herb Gathering – Enables the user to have a greater than average success rate at gathering wild herbs or other plants - Level 2

LEVEL UP: As a Core, summon and place any plants, herbs, or shrubs that you have encountered or have an understanding of within the confines of your territory.

Appraisal – Allows user to appraise information about anything connected to them or the world around them - Level MAX

MAX LEVEL: Appraise any being who is within two stages of your own power who steps within your claimed territory.

Intimidation – Put pressure on the target to force compliance. Level MAX

MAX LEVEL: Unleash pure terror within the entirety of your claimed territory. This affects all beings below the Divine level of strength. Warning: Consumes all of your available Mana.

Spells:

Ascended Ethereal Blade – Create a blade capable of cutting through any mortal material. Causes massive bonus damage to the soul should skin contact be made. Mana cost: 1000 per sword. If the sword is destroyed the mana will be returned to the caster. - Level MAX

Armor of the Phage – Summon a full suit of Heavy Plate infused with the Plague of the Phage Gods. Any strike against the armor will poison the attacker, decay non-magical weapons, and damage magical weapons. Mana cost: 1500 – Level MAX

Savage Maiden – Summon a mobile Iron Maiden that seeks to devour nearby enemies. Mobile and filled with utter hatred of the living - Mana cost 250. Level 1.

Magic Aptitude: Metal, Death, Phage

Major Stats:

Level: 1 Unique

Heath: 100 / 100 Mana: 750 / 26,500

Minor Stats:

Strength:1, Dexterity:1, Intelligence: 37

Wisdom: 41 Charisma: 1 Luck: 0

Lazarus took one look at the red text, the gifts, and the second chance at un-life. Then he began to cackle. His laughter reached pitches of madness, to the point that Ces began to fidget uncomfortably. Then his mind slammed shut, locking his insanity in place.

“This… ALL HAIL THE RED TEXT!” he yelled, buffeting the poor devoted spirit with a massive telepathic outpouring of energy. “I have never felt so good! My Mana… my abilities… my spells… they know no bounds! With this much power I can experiment to my non-existent heart's desires. The secrets of this world, of all worlds, are now reachable!” he cried out in joy.

Turning his attention to the now uncertain Ces he said, “You, my dear, are now one of my greatest and most precious assets. Together… together we will do and discover much,” he said, far calmer now that the bout of madness had passed him over.

“Come. We have much to discuss. Much to do. And a city to claim for our own,” Lazarus said with pure malevolence. “Not to mention an Archon to squash.”