Tys ducked under his elbow, her neck bending back as she lowered herself to effortlessly avoid the hit to her face, and Nar groaned inwardly as in the grips of his accelerated [NPC], he knew that he had just opened himself to a Creation of hurt.

However, instead of her dagger punching into his side, or her knee hitting him hard enough to crack ribs and send him hurtling across the orange, blood soaking sands of the arena, she instead flicked his nose.

"Ow?" he said, in surprise rather than pain.

"That was a nice move!" she said, a smile playing on her lips. "It's good to see you finally using your body."

"I've been doing it for weeks!" he protested, rubbing at his nose, heat flaring across his cheeks and back of his neck.

"No, you've been trying to do it," she corrected. "Today you actually just did it. Without thinking, without worrying, without hesitation… You just did it, and that's what we're aiming for."

He gave her a sharp nod, unsure as to whether he should be happy for the compliment or not.

"And in answer to your un-asked question… No, I'm not so cruel as to hurt you again and deprive you of your last good night of sleep before the Brightnight. You get to head home intact today," she said, her smile widening into a wicked grin. "Now follow me!"

Thanks? He thought, as he traced her footsteps on the brown-orange sands. His right foot now perfectly supported his weight, but two hours earlier it had been in a far, far more grizzly state after she had stomped on it with enough might to nearly pulverize his foot, raising an explosion of sand as she did. Tys had wanted to make sure their last session was special, and while he was healing a lot faster now, that only meant that she had to hurt him a lot more times and worse as well, in order to keep up the pressure and prove to the System that he was worthy of the skills he was aiming for.

He shook the memory of his bloody, mangled foot, and of all the sand he had been forced to push out from the mess with his regenerative aura, even as Tys continued the fight, and half-frowned as the sands reshaped themselves into a semblance of smoothness, erasing most, if not all, of the signs of their frantic fighting across the length of the entire arena.

Well, frantic for me at least, he thought with a sigh.

After their first couple of sessions, where Tys had only hurt him, and then focused on getting him to get the hang on his self-healing processes, she had switched to a much more hands on approach, forcing him to self-heal, remain silent in the face of his pain, and to learn from her martial lessons. And by the Radiants, no disrespect meant to his master, but the woman was insane.

She fought as though… Honestly, he couldn't even describe it. She used a tiny little dagger against his longsword, but she also used her fists, fingers, forehead, knees, ankles, feet, waist, shoulders, nails and even her teeth in their fights. She even tossed sand in his eyes more than once, all in the name of imparting into him something she couldn't really put down into words, but which she said had to be felt in order for his body and subconscious to understand and absorb the lessons.

While he had no doubt that his master could fight in a similar fashion, if need be, he had learned over their many sessions late into the quiet, still hours of the night, that Tys' brutal way of fighting seemed to have originated from a place of desperation. That she had come face to face with insurmountable odds again and again, and that she had needed everything, absolutely everything, in order to survive. And if his master moved with an elegance that invited disbelief, Tys moved as though she was a destruction incarnate. It was ugly, it was merciless, and yes, it was brutal, but just as he found himself starving for his master's combat style, he also yearned to be able to fight like her. Unstoppable.

"Did your master give you anything to do in the jungle?" Tys asked, as she opened a door on the wall of the arena that Nar had yet to notice.

"Sort of," he answered, frowning as he found a tight, enclosed space, with a ladder built into the wall.

"Oh?" Tys asked, as she began climbing without giving him any indication as to what was going on.

"The gist of it is, if I can come out of the Brightnight able to seamless transition and cancel in between skills, with a solid grasp of the basics of swordsmanship, and to using my whole body properly," he said, the last bit begrudgingly so, which earned him a burst of laughter from Tys. "Then he just wants me to go in there and grow."

"And?"

He frowned. "Do you know what he said?"

"I just want to know if he did," she said, her tone playful, and offering nothing.

Ugh, these fucking people…

"He said that if I wanted an added challenge that I should figure out what is lacking in my [Aura Blade], and to see how I can fix it," Nar muttered. "He said it's something I'll be doing later with the Master of Aura, but, that once I fix my skill, that I could go one step closer, and see if I can push it to the next stage."

"Good!" Tys said. "You do that, then. It will be important for our plans after the Brightnight."

"Any chance you want to tell me what it's lacking?" Nar grumbled.

Just then, there was a metallic click and swivel, and a warm breeze blew into the tight ladder. He looked up, and caught Tys smiling down at him, the side of her face lit up by a warm yellow glow.

"No can do, Nar," she said, offering him her hand. "But don't worry. Unless your dense as fuck, it will be obvious from the start."

"It will?" he asked.

He clasped her hand, and she pulled him up the rest of the way as though he weighed less than the breeze that now caressed his face.

"Oh," he said. "We're outside."

Below, a glimmering town of predominantly warm, burned yellows, shone from a shelf on the Labyrinth wall. Oranges, blues, purples and greens shone from a confusion of neon, flashing, flickering, calling and blinding.

The night sky above that haphazard collection of buildings was punctuated with lights, as ships of all sizes landed across the town's many landing pads, or cast off into the night, carrying cargo, delvers, and a probable multitude of non-combat delvers between the town and the parked rows of dozens and dozens of giants haul ships and transports that hovered just a stone's throw from the town's boundaries.

All of these had seemingly been forced aside as the Scimitar had parked itself right by the middle of the edge of town, its menacing, military bulk casting a shadow over those who lived and walked below.

Unless the space was already there, and waiting for us? He wondered.

"Announcing ourselves and staking our claim", Tys told him, following his stare and answering his question. "Let everyone know that it's our apprentices who've come to the Brightnight, and that should anyone mess with them, they should be ready for the consequences."

"So, this is a show of force?" he asked.

"Always is," she said, shrugging. "Out here, in a dungeon, in a food hall, in a noble's mansion during a ball… Pay attention, and you'll start seeing it for what it is. Someone showing you they're above you."

She grinned at him. "It's up to you to accept it, or to prove them wrong."

Isn't that great? He muttered to himself.

Tys led him down a short flight of steps embedded into the hull of the Scimitar, and they arrived at a small balcony with metal railings.

From his vantage point, Nar let his eyes roam the chaotic streets below. They were filled to bursting with crowds mingling through food markets, bars, gear stalls, and local merchants peddling a multitude of supplies he couldn't tell the nature of from that distance and height. And looking up, towards its center of the town and built against the wall itself, he considered the four enormous cubes lined in a row. The two on the middle glowed in a deep, dark crimson, while the two on either end of them thrummed in an ominous darkness that blurred the line between red and purple. These were the domain entrances, and one of those red ones would lead him and the others into the Jungle Tops, their assigned starting area in the Brightnight.

"It's nice, isn't it?" Tys asked. "Let's go down there drinking when you come back!"

"Sure," Nar said, unable to resist smiling back. "After four months there, I'd say I'll deserve a little break."

"Preach," she said. "Alright, let's have a quick look at that stats sheet."

NAR293457741235645XAV

Champion Aspirant 14

(Aggr. 39)

Rare

DPS/Tank

Aura: 4112/6340

Health Points: 209/410

Stamina: 348/500

 

Stats

● Strength: 47 (35 + 12 [The Aspiring Champion])

● Constitution: 41

● Stamina: 50

● Vigor: 11 (9 + 2 [Combat Cycling] (while in combat))

● Speed: 86 (55 + 12 [The Aspiring Champion] + 19 [NPC])

● Agility: 93 (53 + 12 [The Aspiring Champion] + 28 [NPC])

● Hearing: 59 (34 + 25 [Senses of the Champion])

● Sight: 53 (28 + 25 [Senses of the Champion])

● Smell: 37 (12 + 25 [Senses of the Champion])

● Dexterity: 14

● Reflex: 116 (55 + 12 [The Aspiring Champion] + 49 [NPC])

● Accuracy: 8

● Awareness: 16

● Perception: 10

● NPC: 18

● Ego: 66

● Aura***: 634 (256 + 378 Mod.)

● Instinct: 83 (41 + 12 [The Aspiring Champion] + 25 [Senses of the Champion] + 5 [???])

● Endurance: 21

● Might: 16

● Presence: 1

● ???: 32

"Pretty good gains into [Aura***], which is to be expected given all the healing," she said, with a brief grimace of pain. "And hopefully they will continue on into the Brightnight."

"Not too much to show for after 5 weeks of dungeons," Nar muttered. "Ow!"

He massaged the back of his head and threw a glare at Tys.

"Doesn't the Master of Blades teach you to not complain?" she asked. "Besides, you know that gains was not the primary goal of these dungeons."

Nar sighed. "I know, I know… Sorry."

She bumped into him.

"I know it's been tough, but it will only get tougher in that jungle. So, hang in there, okay? It will be worth it," she said, smiling at him.

"I know… I know," he muttered again. "I'm sorry. I'm just a bit tired."

"I bet… But look on the bright side! Those cilices are staying behind, so maybe you'll actually sleep better in the jungle!"

"Ugh," Nar groaned, rolling his eyes.

"Anyways, these 4 levels should be the last you'll ever have with such low densities," she said, scanning through his last four gains notifications. "And they at least tell us that all your attributes are growing in the right direction… So, just fight as usual, and I don't think we need to worry too much about your gains. We'll see how your status is looking after the Brightnight and decide if we need to make any changes, but for now, I'm happy with what I'm seeing. And so should you."

"Got it," Nar said, as she closed his status window.

"As for skills, which we care a lot more about…"

Skills

 

Active

Sword Aura 2 (Aura/DPS): The focused intent of will and aura manifested through the blade. Adds an extra n * 0.75 aura damage to base weapon damage, where n is the amount of aura points used. Cost n points of aura. - Common

Aura Blade (Aura/DPS): Let your blade reach your enemies, no matter where they may be or hide. Let your intent be made manifest, and those that stand in your way be brought low before your might… Creates a controllable edge of razor-sharp aura that deals n * 0.7 aura damage on hit (unless the target is hit by the physical sword as well, in which case base weapon + aura coating damage is added as well), where n is the amount of aura points used. Cost n points of aura. - Uncommon

Aura Blade Control (Aura/DPS): The edge of aura remains under your command for as long as you control it, or until the target manages to resist/overcome your aura. It will continuously damage (unquantifiable) the target. Cost 20 points of aura per second to maintain. - Uncommon

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Aura Quickening 3 (Aura/Buff): For ten seconds your [NPC], [Reflex], [Agility] and [Speed] increase by n * 0.1, where n is your [Aura]. Cost 100 points of aura. Warning: Severe physical and mental damage may be incurred if this skill is overused. - Common

Meditation (Recovery): recharge your [Aura] through deep breathing and the emptying of your mind. Through this, it is possible to access a sense of… (No more information available).

 

Passive

The Aspiring Champion 2 (Aura/???): The Path of the Champion is not an easy one to tread, but you continue to take the first steps towards building this path. As long as you hold firm and stay the course, you passively gain n * 0.02 bonus points to your main combat attributes, where n is your [Aura]. In addition, while [Aura] remains your highest attribute, no other attributes can gain modifiers. The Path of the Champion demands commitment. - Rare

Pathways of the Champion 9 (Aura/???): Upgraded version of the [Aura Pathways] skill. The [Pathways of the Champion] reach further and deeper throughout the body. The higher the level of the pathways, the higher its quality, allowing the user to better cycle their aura, in higher quantities, and with lesser and lesser loss of aura through leakage. Adds a 0.15 bonus to [Mastery]. - Rare

Senses of the Champion 2 (Aura/Enhancement): Drawing upon your senses, including [Instinct], automatically taps into your aura. This empowers all your senses by a further n * y * (x * 0.02), where n is the level of this skill, y is the current stage in the Path of the Champion (currently Aspirant = 1) and x is your [Aura]. - Rare

Mastery 8 (Aura): The amount of aura that you can cycle and control all at once. Each journey is its own. Currently, 526 aura points (390 + 58 [Pathways of the Champion] + 78 [Combat Cycling]). Warning: While you can reach for more aura, it will be extremely difficult, and carries with it potentially very serious risks. - Common

Combat Cycling (Aura/Self) (Passive): Many are those who proclaim their prowess in combat, and claim that their one true home is in the midst of blood, pain and death, but few are those who actually embody such existence… You are one such delver. Like it or not, you more than excel in combat. You thrive in it, pushing against every obstacle, rebelling against all endings, and finding your true potential when faced with death, again and again… But where will this path of bloodshed and destruction take you? Grants a flat 20% increase to [Mastery] and [Vigor] while in combat. - Epic

Aura Infused Strikes (Aura/DPS/Aggro Gen.): You have become adept at cycling aura to your weapon, and your hits will cause increased and lasting aggro due to the mighty aether in each of your aura infused attacks (exception when a tanking active skill is detected on the same target). Your attacks also have a chance of triggering [Lingering Aura]. - Uncommon

- Lingering Aura (Aura/DPS/Aggro Gen.): Aura and aether attacks always have a chance to infect targets, but you will cause increased damage if your aura manages to spread into your target, ravaging them from within for much more damage than usual. However, aether and aura will counter this effect as quickly as possible, but doing so will consume your target's aether or aura. The damage caused by his damage-over-time effect is unquantifiable and its duration will depend on how quickly the target can burn through your invading aura. - Uncommon

Dark Vision 2 (Enhancement): As one born in the deepest darkness, you will always be able to see well through the dark. - Common

"It looks good," she said, nodding to herself.

Nar threw her an arched eyebrow.

"Yes, I mean it," she said, scowling at his distrust. "There are few upgrades, but your [Mastery] and pathways are both up, and that's what matters! You're going into that damned jungle with 526 points of aura at your fingertips! Do you have any idea how insane that is for a melee class at your level?"

"I…"

"No. You don't. So shut up. These are good gains for those crappy dungeons, and you're well ahead of the rest of the batch," she said. "So, pay attention."

His skills window disappeared and she raised a hand.

"Over the next four months, you're going to keep working on your pathways to increase them and your [Mastery]. They are both going to be crucial for what the Master of Aura will be teaching you when you come back and for us to progress into the intermediate stuff," she said, and ticked off a finger. "Next, you're obviously going to make the Master of Blades proud by doing everything he asked of you. Then, you're going to get that pain resistance passive, and you're going to continue self-healing until you earn that passive healing skill. And for that, the ban on receiving healing stands! Unless the Gray One Himself is hovering above you, you're going to heal from everything that happens to you, and that means no meds either. If you get sick, you heal. If something slithers up your ear and lays eggs in there, you burn it all out! And don't worry, I sent a message to your healer so he knows what's up, and what will happen to him if he breaks my orders."

Oh, for fuck's sakes… Nar thought, paling at the four things she was asking of him, which in reality consisted of a lot of sub-tasks and goals. That's so much to…

"I can see the complaint in your face!" Tys said, her hand turning into a threatening fist.

"I'm sorry! I'm sorry!" Nar said, taking a half-step back and raising his hands in front of him.

"You're lucky I want you to rest tonight," her voice suddenly said in his ear, a finger poking at his ribs and pressing in. "Or we would go back down for a few more rounds of training."

Nar gulped, and she was suddenly in front of him again, leaning over the handrail and considering the yellow lit town below, and its crowds and moving masses of people. He opened his mouth to speak, but his next words were forgotten as she closed a hand over his lips.

"I know it's been tough. I know I pushed you to the brink. But that's the way it's got to be," Tys said, then her expression softened and she lowered her hand. "My teacher didn't want to turn me into some unfeeling machine, and that's not what I want for you either. Unlike your crazy Master of Blades, I think complaining is fine, but not when you let your willpower crack and erode alongside it. So, complain to vent, or complain just for the sake of complaining, but don't complain with the echo of anger, resistance or of giving up thrown in the mix. You've come this far, Nar… Through the Climb, the Ceremony, your first three months aboard the ship, a corrupted dungeon, and an entire month of daily torture at my hands. So stand tall. You have achieved immense things already, and you will rise even further. Of that, I'm sure."

Nar blinked at her, then blinked some more to clear the sudden blurriness that took the view of the town below. He inhaled, stretching his stomach as he had been taught to do, and exhaled even slower, scratched the back of his head, and gazed out across the chaos of lights shining from the ramshackle town below. It looked as though a strong gust would cause the whole thing to come collapsing.

"No need to be embarrassed or to feel bad about it. It has been hard," Tys said, patting his shoulder. "And, know that I was a lot more rebellious than you are, and caused far more trouble for my teacher, and needed a lot more encouragement than this. So just… Just do your best, and keep going. One step at a time. No matter how tough or painful it is, know that you can take it, and no pain will ever compare to the regret you'll feel if you ever give up."

"Alright…" he said, turning his eyes to her. "And don't worry. I'm not going to give up. Not ever."

"I know."

A larger, open cargo ship emerged from the side of the Scimitar, and Nar tracked its flight path as it righted itself right in front of them, heading for a cluster of bigger landing pads. He could only imagine how much the Scimitar was pissing everyone off with their parking decision, and how little any of them could do against the whims of an elite apprenticeship that belonged to the 6th ranked guild in the entirety of the Nexus.

"Do you think I can earn my fourth [Aura***] modifier in there?" he asked, absentmindedly.

She snorted. "You wish! It takes ten thousand points for that."

"What?" he breathed, staring at her. "Ten thousand? Really?"

"Hmm-hmm. And good luck if you're actually aiming for that fifth as well. I don't think anyone actually knows how many you need for that one," she said.

"Really? Does that mean it's impossible?" he asked, frowning.

"Ehhh… I wouldn't say impossible, but you should probably put it out of your mind," she replied, and a stray gust flared her short, dark hair around her face.

She crossed her arms and leaned against the handrail, looking down at the shifting crowds. No, at a brawl that seemed to have spilled out of one of the bars, spreading localized chaos on the street outside it. Eyeing it, Nar quickly reassessed what he should be expecting of the place.

"Modifiers are only important when you're just starting out, or when you're panicking and trying to figure out why you're still gaining [Aura] even though there's no recycling machine in sight," she said, her eyes distant. "But once you've got your first three, you're set for life. Sure, it's great to have the fourth and fifth one into good attributes as well, but those bonuses are a lot smaller, and only really come into play at very high levels when you start making gigantic gains. So for now, you're fine. When the time comes, we'll worry about it if we have to."

Nar nodded.

"Speaking of gains though… As I said, these four levels are the last ones you'll ever get with such poor attribute density, "she said. "From now on, the places we'll be sending you guys into will yield much better gains, as we won't be wasting time sending you into easy dungeons like that again."

She grinned at him, her dark eyes sparkling with the town lights. "Your entire reality is about to expand, Nar, and the gains you'll earn from this delve are unlike anything you've ever experienced. So go in there, throw everything on the line, and when you come out… Well, you'll see the difference then."

"Oh, and about your weights," she said, looking at his wrist, where one of his four invisible weights still clung to his skin. "The masters have let you guys decide whether to take them off, or keep them, and I'm the same. Keep them for an added challenge and gains, or take them off. It's your decision on how much you want to suffer to climb harder and faster."

Nar raised his hand. It was easy to forget that he had grown used to having them on his person at all times, even while sleeping since the last two weeks. The Master of Blades hadn't requested it of him, but out of curiosity, he had tried to sleep with them on, and finding that it wasn't too bad, he had continued to do so.

I push hard, don't I? He realized. Was it all truly so that he could look out for the others as soon as possible, or maybe, just maybe there was something else. A tiny, tiny little light in the darkness of his subconscious, that remained stubborn and defiant in the face of…

What? Nar thought.

"Nar?"

"Hmm?" He blinked and found Tys staring at him, her face hard.

"What's wrong?" he asked.

She shook her head.

"Depending on who you ask, either nothing, or a whole lot," she muttered. "But never mind that. Here."

Nar reached to her with an open hand, and she carefully deposited something upon his palm.

"This…"

"Yes. It's the same thing, except for a disciple," she said, staring at his palm. On it, was a silver pin of shifting grays in the shape of the Crystal.

"Just like I wear one, so can you from now," she said, pointing at the pin that was suddenly visible on her chest. "I figured that if you held on for this long, that maybe you were pretty committed to us."

Nar nodded, lost for words.

"If you want, we can make the Vow of Ascension now, and the System will make it official," she said in a hushed voice.

Nar looked down at the pin in his hand for a moment, then he closed his fingers around it.

"Let's do it," he said.

She gave him a simple nod, neither short nor deep.

"There aren't any defined words for it. You just speak from your heart and soul, and promise yourself to me," she said. "And I do the same."

And having said so, she reached a hand to him. With his heart suddenly racing, he closed his hand around hers, and she flipped their grip and pulled them close together, their arms touching, their eyes inches from one another.

"I, Tys, Ascending One from the guild Tsurmirel, request the System to be witness to our Vow of Ascension!"

A window popped up above her head.

 

The System bears witness.

 

"I, Tys, vow to teach and guide my disciple Nar, to the best of my ability, skill and means, in order to deliver him to the ranks of the Ascendant, and provide another who would lay down his life in the defense of the Nexus," Tys said. "He will be under protection, and become my family. His problems will become my problems. His concerns will be my concerns. I will guide and advise him in all and any aspects he might request my help with and many more besides with all that I am."

Nar's eyes misted, and he clenched his jaw, blinking to keep his sight clear. Tys smiled at the clear emotion that seeped onto his expression, and she gripped his hand even tighter.

"From this moment onward, and until his teaching is at hand, you will never be alone," she said, speaking to him now. "As long as I am able, and it does not interfere with my previous established duties, vows and promises, I, Tys, swear to do so."

Nar gulped at her vow, and now, his turn had arrived. His brain stuttered to come up with something that could match the grandness and heartfelt promises she had just uttered, and Tys waited patiently for him to figure it out, a smile dancing on her lips, her eyes shining with the shimmer of the thousand lights below, in yellows and its many bright neon colors.

And in that moment, he had the feeling, the realization, that this woman before him was truly ready and willing to go to any ends to ensure his success. Perhaps even more… Ensure his future and happiness too.

Why? He wondered. They barely knew each other, and yet, he just knew it deep within his core, just as he had known without a shadow of a doubt what he had needed to bring down that illatrian.

"I, Nar, apprentice to the Scimitar and the guild Tsurmirel, vow to do everything to make my teacher, Tys, proud of her decision to choose me," he said, his voice tight, the words slipping from his lips almost of their own accord. "I will obey and trust my teacher in all ways. I will make sure that I behave in a way that brings her honor and prestige. And I… We will be like family, and so, from this moment onwards, she also won't be alone. Not as long as I live."

Her clear eyes went shiny, and Nar gulped and looked away from her intense stare.

"I… I don't really know much of anything, but this much I know. I'll make you proud, Tys," he said. "I promise."

"And I promise I will give you everything, Nar. Everything," she whispered.

 

The System has witnessed.

The Vow of Ascension between NAR293457741235645XAV and TYS292457741235645SZI is now in effect.

May you both succeed in your endeavors, and further the might of the Nexus.

 

Nar blinked at the message, and found Tys' scintillating eyes staring at him, her face still just inches from his.

"We're gonna do great things, Nar. You and me. I just know it," she said.

Nar snorted, but he couldn't deny the genuine smile on his face as Tys let go of his hand. "There. All done," she said.

Nar gazed down at the pin in his hand. "Do I need to show it from now on?"

"Up to you. You can if you want to, but as you can expect, there are benefits and drawbacks from doing so," Tys said. "For one, appearances, and especially the appearance of power, matters a lot in the Nexus, and few things are a greater display of power than that pin, and you can expect people to behave accordingly. Not only does it say that you are powerful and promising enough to have attracted the attention and time of a Named Few, but it also tells people that you are backed by someone that is really, really powerful. And that someone will come knocking in case something happens to their disciple."

"And the drawbacks?"

"Well, for some people, that pin will also mark you as a target. As a threat to nullify before it becomes too big to handle," she said. "That will include anyone from enemies and rivals of our guild, to any scum that might want to still attack your party after seeing that pin. In such situations you will always be a priority target. Plus, whatever you do while wearing that pin, will also reflect on me, so don't go too crazy, yes? My reputation is the guild's, and that, we don't want to tarnish."

"I guess that makes sense," he mumbled. "I think I'll just keep it stored for now. Is that okay?"

"It's yours to do whatever you want," she said. "Just know that when you wear it, anyone can check your name, level, class and affiliation from it. And they will also obviously be able to see my details as well."

Nar looked up at her in alarm and she burst out laughing.

"That's cute. And I appreciate the loyalty," she said, squeezing his shoulder. "But once you become an Ascending One, that information becomes publicly accessible to everyone. So, if you've been curious, my class is Void of Denial and Retribution, and my level's at 348."

Nar gaped at her.

"Three-three hundred?" he shouted, his words lost to the breeze.

"And forty-eight. Don't forget those! I almost died for them," she said, with a half smirk on her lips, which bloomed into a full peal of laughter at his shocked expression.

"The more you climb, Nar, the more you'll realize just how vast Creation truly is," she told him. "And when one day you reach my level, you'll look back and realize just how little you knew now."

She pointed with her head at the town, and the dungeon cubes at its center.

"So, go in there knowing that whatever you gain now, whatever sweat, blood and tears you shed as you go through that jungle, that the more you give of yourself, the more you will earn, and help you rise higher and faster," she said. "So go in there, and make us both proud."

Nar clenched his jaw, his throat tightening.

"I will, Tys. I promise I will."

"Alright then," she said, smiling. "Enjoy your time in the jungle. I doubt you'll ever forget it."

Nar groaned.

That's not ominous at all, is it? he thought, as she laughed at his pained expression.

**********

The soft breathing and light snoring coming from the others mixed in with the gentle hum of the ship's engines in what was usually a soothing, lulling melody to Nar. But tonight, he lay awake in the darkness, his eyes lost into the blank nothing above his head.

At his side lay the deadly length of his scarred blade, and on his left hand, in between his fingers, he felt the soft touch of that purple cloth, his fingertips tracing the slight bumps of the hexagons drawn into what had once been part of a simple worker's shirt.

Tys had told him that his [Presence] was marred by his grief, and that his grief was such that it was at risk of tampering with his yet to discover affinity, threatening to overcome his very soul and to shackle him to one of the negative affinities, just like Viy's guilt had done to her. However, while at first he had given her reason, now, Nar wasn't so sure there was actually such a risk at all. Not anymore at least.

He had not grieved the loss of his dad, and in the darkness, in the quiet moments alone when he didn't have his physical torture to heal from and distract him, it was not grief that took his mind. It was not sadness that gripped his heart either… No, the memory of his dad, slowly losing himself to the Wasting, with the memories of his son and of who Bey was being wiped clean as his lungs seized and his heart faltered, only set Nar's aura core to churning and seething, searing aura coursing through his pathways as an unholy screech echoed from that rippling, raging ball of light within him…

When sleep finally came, in the early hours of the new day, he was plagued by nightmares of his dad coughing blood as he asked Nar who he was, again and again, as he drowned in a torrent of dark crimson. And within Nar, his aura boiled, and something within that churning light roared, seeking to break free, and to be unleashed upon the Creation that continued to do nothing but spit and spurn him at every turn.

Perhaps Priestess Aedina had been right in her concern, and perhaps the Master of Emotions shouldn't so foolishly believe that pulling Nar away from his affinity had been the resounding success she thought it to be. For maybe Gad was right, and without knowing it, Nar hadn't given up yet…

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