Chapter 14: Gifts of Power
(Edited)
A sense of relief washed over Victor as C's voice transported him to a peaceful, ethereal garden. The vibrant foliage and serene atmosphere were a pleasant contrast to the oppressive darkness of Anise's cabin.
"C," Victor began, his voice remaining steady. "Do you have any new information about Morvan?"
C denied it, sounding serious. "I possess no additional knowledge than what you do, Victor. I was assigned to you after your reincarnation, taking over for the previous System Administrator. My ability to gather intel is restricted by mission guidelines. However, with the speed at which you are earning rewards, it won't be long before I can join you on some of your adventures."
Victor nodded as he processed this information. Seeing that C continued speaking.
The statues you acquired are actually highly advanced golems, just so you know. He permitted you to keep them because he can easily manipulate and override their programming. Even if you somehow figure out how to control them, he still maintains the ultimate authority over them.
Victor's heart sank at the news. "So, they're like ticking time bombs," he muttered. "How many more of these monkey's paws is Morvan going to give me?"
"For now, I can't do anything about them," C replied. "But you might have a good use for them later. Removing Morvan's influence from them is possible but expensive."
"How much are we talking?" Victor asked, his curiosity piqued.
"A Daedra artifact much," C answered.
Victor pondered for a moment before nodding. "If the golems allow Morvan to move out of the Wellspring of Vitality even when he's permanently stuck there, they might be more useful in the future."
C then thanked him for the Draugr bodies. "I will be able to exchange them for something very nice for you tomorrow. Also, you've completed three more missions. Do you want the individual rewards, or would you like to combine them for something more substantial, like last time?"
"Can I get something for Sarah as well?" Victor asked.
C smiled warmly. "Yes, Victor. That is possible. Combining the rewards will allow me to give you something beneficial for both of you."
Victor felt a sense of accomplishment as he considered his options. "Let's combine the rewards then, also beside 3 full sets of equipment, the mission items and the arrows you can take everything else as well"
C smiled warmly. "Yes, Victor. Combining the rewards will allow me to give you something beneficial for both of you."
C's form shimmered slightly, and two items materialized before Victor. "For you, Victor, I present the Telekinetic Blade - Zephyr's Edge and the Shardblade of Aetherium. These weapons are designed to enhance your telekinetic abilities. The Zephyr's Edge can create shockwaves and disrupt enemy spells, while the Shardblade can fragment into multiple segments, attacking enemies from all directions."
C nodded and then pointed to the next set of items. "And for Sarah, I offer the Bow of the Moonlit Hunt and the Explosive Arrow Skill. The Bow enhances her accuracy and deals additional damage during the night, while the Explosive Arrow Skill allows her to imbue her arrows with explosive energy, causing area damage to multiple enemies."
Victor moved forward, his steps soundless on the soft mossy floor of the ethereal garden. He reached out to touch the Telekinetic Blade - Zephyr's Edge. The blade was cold, emanating a chilling aura that seeped into Victor's arm as he grasped it. Nevertheless, he could feel a certain vibrancy, an energy contained within its confines that pulsed with vitality.
"Zephyr's Edge," he whispered, as if voicing its name would somehow ignite it to life.
Next, he turned toward the Shardblade of Aetherium. It was a marvel to behold, shimmering and gleaming under the soft light of the garden. It was palpable even from a distance that this blade was potent and dangerous, yet beautiful in its own way.
"Shardblade of Aetherium," he voiced again, mirroring his initial declaration. This time however, the air seemed to ripple around him as if reacting to the resonance of his words.
C stood back silently throughout this entire process, observing with an inscrutable gaze.
Heading towards the more delicately crafted Bow of the Moonlit Hunt and Explosive Arrow Skill meant for Sarah, Victor felt pangs of apprehension. What would her reaction be? Would she accept these gifts wholeheartedly, or would she push them away out of fear?
Only time would tell.
He pictured the bow in Sarah's hands, her fingers deftly maneuvering across the beautifully crafted weapon. Paired with the Explosive Arrow Skill, she would be able to deal devastating blows to any foe foolish enough to stand against her.
"Thank you, C," Victor said, his voice filled with gratitude and a hint of excitement. "These gifts are truly remarkable. I can't wait to see Sarah's reaction." He turned to C, a question forming in his mind. "What else can you tell me about these weapons? Are there specific techniques or abilities we should be aware of?"
C's eyes sparkled with a knowing glint as he began to speak, "The Telekinetic Blade - Zephyr's Edge is not just a weapon; it is a conduit for your telekinetic powers. As you wield it, focus your mind on the blade and visualize your intentions clearly. The shockwaves it creates can be controlled and amplified with practice."
Victor nodded, absorbing this information eagerly. "And the Shardblade of Aetherium?" he inquired.
C's expression turned slightly more serious as he explained, "The Shardblade possesses the ability to channel Aetherium energy, allowing you to unleash powerful attacks imbued with elemental force. Be cautious though, for its true potential lies in your ability to harness its energy without being overwhelmed by it."
A rush of excitement flooded Victor as he absorbed the instructions. He turned back to the weapons, determined to master their powers. "Hey C, could you help me perfect my telekinesis skills with these new weapons?" he asked eagerly. "Of course," C replied. "I'll activate one of the golems for you to practice against,Morvan has no power here. Unfortunately, I still cannot manifest in this realm."
Victor's eyes widened in anticipation as he watched C's form shimmer once again. This time, instead of an object, a figure started forming before him. Slowly, the outlines of a formidable golem took shape, formidable and daunting. Its onyx body glowed in the soft light that flickered across its polished surface.
"No need to hold back, Victor." C's voice rang out against the serenity of their surroundings, shaking Victor from his momentary awe. "Remember, this is just for practice."
A hint of trepidation flickered across Victor's face; however, he swiftly replaced it with determination. He looked at the golem, then back at the Telekinetic Blade - Zephyr's Edge in his hand. He could sense the untamed energy pulsating from it – wild and eager for action. Yet, as C had advised him, he needed to control this energy rather than let it control him.
With this thought firmly in mind, he slowly raised the blade towards the golem. His brows furrowed with concentration as he tried to connect his mind with the weapon. He visualized a powerful shockwave emanating from him, travelling straight towards the golem.
And just like that, a burst of energy released from Zephyr's Edge. It raced towards the golem in a linear arc and hit it square in its torso. The force took both Victor and the golem by surprise as it was pushed back several feet by the impact.
Victor felt a surge of exhilaration rush through him at his success on his first attempt. But he knew better than to celebrate too early; now came the true test, the Shardblade of Aetherium. He took a deep breath, gathering his composure as he shifted his focus onto the gleaming weapon.
Pausing momentarily, he allowed himself to feel the energy that dwelled within the Shardblade. He could sense the latent power coursing through it, begging to be released. With a grim nod, he turned his attention back to the golem, which was back on its feet and seemingly unaffected by the previous attack.
Victor reached out, mentally syncing with the Shardblade just as C had taught him. The blade hummed in response, pulsating with energy that vibrated in tune with Victor's heartbeat. He could feel a connection - one that was powerful and profound.
"Shardblade of Aetherium," he murmured in unison with his heartbeats. The air around him seemed to shimmer at his command, rippling outward in waves of distorted space.
Victor raised the Shardblade high above his head and swung it down towards the golem with all his might. As the blade whistled through the air, it fragmented into multiple segments that branched off towards the golem like a swarm of ethereal bees. The sight was breathtaking, shards of gleaming energy biting into the golem's onyx form from every direction.
The golem staggered under Victor's assault. There was no thunderous explosion or momentous shockwave this time - just a silent onslaught of energy, penetrating and devouring from every angle.
Victor found himself breathing heavily but grinned triumphantly nonetheless. It felt... empowering, to command such destructive force with little more than a thought and a word. The weapons were more than tools, they were extensions of himself, magnifying his own abilities and channelling them into a more potent form. He glanced at C, his triumph reflected in the man's inscrutable gaze.
"Well done, Victor," praised C, his face illuminated with satisfaction. "You've already mastered your mind-link with the weapons far more quickly than I had anticipated."
Victor felt a twinge of pride but didn't let it distract him. There was still much to learn and he couldn't afford to be complacent.
"What about the Bow of the Moonlit Hunt and Explosive Arrow Skill?" he asked, turning his attention to the third weapon.
"That is a weapon designed for a different type of warrior," replied C solemnly. "As you have seen, both the Zephyr's Edge and Shardblade of Aetherium require direct engagement with your opponent. The bow, however, allows for stealth and precision from a distance. It will take some time for Sarah to adapt."
Victor nodded. He was aware that Sarah's skills were different from his own and hence her weapon would be too. But he had faith in her abilities and perseverance.
In eager anticipation, he picked up the bow - feeling its light weight yet sturdy frame in his hands. It was exquisitely crafted from silver birch that shimmered ethereally under the soft moonlight along with what looked like veins of moonstone running through its body.
As he ran his fingers across its surface, he could sense the dormant energy within. Although not as wild or ferocious as the Telekinetic Blade or the Shardblade, the bow's energy was calm, patient, and sharp. It was meant to be guided rather than controlled. More importantly, it purred in response to his touch, a soft vibration that spoke of its potential for swift, silent devastation.
Victor held up the bow and pulled back the string, which hummed with a gentle tension under his grip. Without an arrow nocked, he let it loose. A ripple of air followed the path an arrow would have taken - a phantom arrow, borne from pure energy.
Impressed with the bow's potential, he turned to face C. "The Explosive Arrow Spell. How does it work?" he asked.
"The skill lies in the manipulation of magicka," C explained slowly, "When you draw your shot with the intention to create an explosive arrow, you visualize it glow charging up within your arrow. When released correctly, upon impact, it will explode with the intensity of an enchanted fireball.
Victor frowned slightly at the explanation. It sounded simple enough but something told him it was going to require a finesse quite different from wielding either of his blades.
Taking a deep breath in preparation, Victor drew back on the string again. This time though, instead of imagining shockwaves or elemental attacks as before, he pictured a calming but powerful beam of light infusing into his phantom arrow.
Drawing on every ounce of his telekinesis powers, he focused on maintaining this visualization as he carefully released the string. Instantly, a radiant spectral arrow flew from the bowstring towards the golem in a streak of bluish light.
The moment of impact came sooner than Victor expected- the spectral arrow struck the golem's chest, and for a moment, nothing happened. Then, with a burst of light brighter than the moon, the arrow exploded, sending a wave of force that knocked the golem square off its feet.
A shockwave spread out from the epicentre, rippling through the earth and shaking the very air around them. Victor shielded his eyes against the blinding light, dropping low to brace against the sudden gust of wind that whipped up dust and debris.
When he finally dared to look back up again, he saw that the entire training field had been transformed. The golem lay in pieces strewn across what had once been a flat expanse of ground. Now, craters pockmarked the soil, and an area of several metres around where the golem had stood was scorched black from the heat.
He glanced at C and saw a glint of approval in his sharp eyes. An exhale of relief escaped him - he had done it. He had managed to control not just one or two weapons, but three distinct ones each with their own unique energies.
C also seemed pleased with his progress. "You're getting it," he commended. "The precision you displayed with each weapon today was exceptional. You learned quickly and adapted well."
Victor nodded, though there was no hiding his exhaustion. Every muscle in his body ached from the strain of channelling such immense energy through his body and into the weapons. But even so, he felt an undeniable sense of satisfaction.
"I look forward to see how Sarah manages her weapon," Victor declared. Being a master archer already, he was certain Sarah's proficiency with the bow would surpass his own.
C inclined his head slightly at Victor's remark. "Indeed, her affinity for ranged weapons will serve her well with the Bow of the Moonlit Hunt."
AU:Here are the weapons:
Telekinetic Blade - Zephyr's Edge:
Description: A sword forged from a rare, lightweight metal that glows faintly with a blue hue.
Abilities: Designed to be wielded through telekinesis, Zephyr's Edge enhances Victor's control over the blade, allowing it to move at incredible speeds and execute precise strikes. The blade can create shockwaves with each swing, cutting through multiple enemies from a distance. When used with advanced telekinesis, it can break through magical barriers and disrupt enemy spells.
Shardblade of Aetherium:
Description: A magical sword that can split into multiple segments, each floating and moving independently under Victor's telekinetic control.
Abilities: The Shardblade can fragment into up to ten razor-sharp segments, which can surround and attack enemies from all directions. Victor can reform the blade instantly, making it versatile in both offense and defense. Each segment retains the enchantment of the whole blade, dealing significant damage and piercing magical defenses. The blade segments can also create an energy field when arranged in specific patterns, providing Victor with a shield or trap for his foes.
Bow of the Moonlit Hunt:
Description: A beautifully crafted bow imbued with lunar magic.
Abilities: Enhances her archery skills, allowing arrows to track targets with improved accuracy. During the night, the bow's power increases, and arrows fired from it deal additional magical damage.
Explosive Arrow Skill:
Description: A skill that allows the user to imbue her arrows with explosive energy.
Abilities: Arrows fired with this skill will explode on impact, dealing area damage to multiple enemies.
I wont go into details as not much has happened in this chapter, however I'll upload the next chapter as soon as I finish writing it.
Ps. As always I would like it very much if you see any mistakes or inconsistencies you would let me know as that would help me create a much better story. Thank you very much.
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