บท 10: Death, in all its glory.
The flames flickering in the distance reflected beautifully off of the opaque lenses of a plague doctor makk. He stood atop a rise, overlooking the destruction of the last bastion of existence. He had witnessed and perpetrated the death of countless realms, untold worlds, and an almost infinite amount of universes. Now he stood, about to end everything.
A beautiful ghost floated at his left, only a step behind him. Sadness filled her very being, yet the flicker of love still remained. At his right, leaning suggestively, yet fearfully, was a truly magnificent looking demoness. She was a slave to this man, yet a yearning for him still kept her to him. She still remained hopeful to one again see the man she had been destined to be with, but he had already slipped away into madness. Now they both only wanted to help him end his torment. This eternal curse had eroded his very soul.
Two massive undead in full plate maile trudged toward him. Between them they half dragged and half carried an aging man, his long flowing white gowns sullied by the dirt as they did so. The plague doctor did not even acknowledge his presence as the dropped the old man at his feet. The long black trenchcoat he wore contrasted starkly against the white gown.
"Why?" was all the old man could gasp as he too looked out over the destruction.
"Only after time itself has ceased, so will I. Finally, an end." his voice was as cold and final as the grave. The deep supernatural timber within it only enhancing the overwhelming dread his presence caused.
"Your master, won't let you die?! You caused all this, just to end your own torment?!"
"Yes. Only in death, can you truly find peace. Life, is meaningless. It is pain and betrayal. It is nothing but a beautiful lie told to the living to make them feel good about themselves."
The old man shuddered at the coldness in the dark man's voice. "Only you left now, " he spoke as he grasped the old man by his robe and dragged him upright. The old man looked deep into the opaque lenses and could barely make out the black orbs behind them, filled the light of madness and numerous Primal Words of Power danced among them.
"I am the God of Time boy, did you think I let you win?" The old man laughed as the dark figure cocked his head to the side in seemingly confusion. Arcane and divine power whipped around them as the god of time ripped the plague doctor mask off and grasped the dark figures face between his hands. Their eyes locked in a battle of will as each tried to control the power surrounding them.
"One last trick, one I could never use till now. Only by being the last one could I have this opportunity!"
As the energy started coalescing it tore open the very fabric of reality, the dark figure smiled as light began to fill the void. "Who said this was your idea?"
***
Kano jolted upright and shook like a newborn calf. He had never dreamed so vividly before. His hands wiped the sweat from his brow and settled on his face before he stole a glance over at the sleeping plague doctor. His chest slowly rising and falling with the rhythm of his breathing. Kano began to go over what he recalled about the dream. It felt like an entire lifetime, but only fleeting visions remained and were quickly fading.
"I should do something else to get my mind off of it. That dream was painful." He still felt like his heart had torn itself in two. "All I wanted was a nice dream about Tiffany."
"Tiffany? Is that the young lady you have been daydreaming about?"
Kano jumped as he heard his mentor's voice. "You were just pretending to be asleep!"
"Nope, just a loudmouthed prick that talks to himself too much woke me up."
Kano grabbed his pillow and hurled it at the bed nearby, and laughed as it caught the plague doctor mask, knocking it askew on Bill's face. He quickly readjusted it and sat up while nonchalantly stretching.
"Good day to head to the village. You come with. Be good for you to see the people you will be helping."
"Really? Yeah, I suppose. Lemme just write down a few things to get them out of my head."
"Bad dream?"
"Yeah. Terrible. Felt like I had lost everything."
Bill stood and walked over to their little stove and started preparing a simple stew. Kano stepped over to their little table and pulled a parchment and ink. He grasped the quill and started to write as he glanced over his sheet.
***
NAME: Nameless (No name chosen.)
Alias: Kano
RACE: Human - Deathless
CLASS: Necromancer 2
***
PHYSICAL: 34
Skills
Brawling 4 - Unarmed damage 2-4
Subskill - Unarmed Combat (Marine UC)
Small Weapon Combat 4 - Able to utilize small weapons effectively in a combat situation.
Subskill - Small Blade
Subskill - Blunt
Toughness 10 - Able to withstand 5 points of damage each combat. (Secondary effect- Bonus to Stamina. Tertiary affect - Bonus to Health.)
Calisthenics 10 - Knowledge of various exercises to improve stamina and musculature. (Bonus to Stamina and Physical ability.)
Manual Labour 10 - Having performed numerous tasks relating to upkeeping a household, your body is hardened and your mind can clear itself to focus on menial tasks when necessary. (Bonus to Stamina and Physical ability.)
MENTAL: 22
Skills
Casting 3 - Able to cast Tier 1 spells with no drawback. Current safe zone of knowledge, 4 spells. Casting Tier 2 spells has 15% less drawback. Casting Tier 3 spells will suffer double drawback.
SPIRITUAL: 1
Skills
(none)
Stamina 55/55 - (999)
Health 999/999
***
XP - 0
INVENTORY-
boots
tunic
breeches
dagger
***
SPELLS -
<Arcane Trace> 10 - mastered
Caster may focus on a target by clearly creating an image in his mind. A spectral trail will lead to the target. - Mastered - Trail will remain until dismissed by caster, able to trace both animate and inanimate objects, including intelligent creatures as long as target image is clear. Spell is now considered a passive/inherent ability.
<Eternal Recall> 10 - mastered
Caster will immediately store everything in his sight within his memory upon casting. - Mastered - Effect is now able to be used at will and can be recalled with a thought. Spell is now considered a passive/inherent ability.
<Mien of an Incubus> 10 - mastered
Caster gains the presence, charm, and subtle countenance of an Incubus, a demonic being that feeds on passionate emotions. (Most prefer lust as it is the more easy and potent state of emotion.) - Mastered - Effect is permanently active. Spell is now considered a passive/inherent ability.
<Raise Dead > 1
Can raise 10 basic creatures to obey commands for 10 minutes.
<Undead Fortitude> 10 - mastered
Caster ignores any and all stamina drain effects as long as the spell is active. (Warning! After spell ends, caster will strain twice the amount of stamina for double the amount of time spent under the effect if this spell.) - Mastery - Effect is permanently active unless caster deactivates it. Upon cancellation, all detrimental effects are immediate. Spell is now considered a passive/inherent ability.
<Unholy Strength> 10 - mastered
The caster gains a Profane amount of physical strength. - Mastered - Effect is permanently active. Spell is now considered a passive/inherent ability.
***
'Well, it looks a lot better than it did before. I wonder what I should practice next? Also, why hasn't my casting ability gone up?' He was unsure as to why it had not changed more than a single rank. It was time to ask someone else who might have an answer. "Hey Bill, how come I have six spells, five of which I mastered, but my casting has not improved?"
Bill spat out his stew onto the wall in front of him and snapped around to look at Kano. "What is your casting ability?"
"Three."
Bill leaped at Kano and grasped his face in his hands, seeming to stare deep into Kano's eyes. "You are lucky. You must have only cast one at a time until mastery. I never saw you do any of that. How?"
Kano tried to pry himself free, but his mentor's grip was like a vice. "I cast it once here, then practiced it back on earth. I did it the first time just to get used to the motions, but I noticed I had mastered <Undead Fortitude> after my first foray. I must have practiced it hundreds of times. So I did it again and again with each new spell. Only keeping three active at any time."
"Again. Lucky. You could have gone insane before. Still. Mastery can be tricky. Be warned, the Words of Creation are not to be taken lightly. They are the Divine Language and will become a part of you upon mastery." Bill released Kano with a sigh and his shoulders seemed to droop slightly. "Well, lets get going. Eat your stew and lets head out. Be an hours ride with the mule. Hurry, eat and get her hitched up. I need a nap after that little revelation."
Bill took a step to his bed, then stopped and turned his head back over his shoulder. "Next time you have an idea like that. Talk with me first."
"Yes sir. I will."
'Or, maybe I won't, old man.' Kano thought to himself as a smirk appeared on his face.
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