Godslayer Arc 1.26 - Questions

“Forge-Knight, that is a most useful set of powers that you have,” says Drakvar as he sips at his cup of tea.

“As are your own,” replies the Forge-Knight in question as she sips at her own tea, “It must be useful to remain unaffected by magical attacks.”

“It is very much so Karola,” agrees Drakvar.

“This tea is very good,” says Valen as he also sips his tea.

“I concur, but I will admit that I prefer coffee to tea,” says Karola.

Drakvar is silent as he considers the powers of Forge-Knight Karola Manlin. The young woman has received an enhanced body much like Drakvar, Jordis and Shocker, but her own powers are different to any of theirs.

Now I think about it, I don’t even know what Shocker’s powers are.

But Karola’s are interesting to him. She has two minor powers of being able to identify any material that she can sense while also being able to analyse anything that she can sense. Admittedly those powers are rather weak, but even then, they would be extremely useful on their own.

No, it is Karola’s third power that has Drakvar’s attention. The ability to create powerful weapons, armours and gadgets. Such as her mechanised heavy plate armour and shoulder-mounted autocannon.

These weapons are not of magic and yet surpass any conventional counterparts.

“So why are you here?” asks Drakvar as he decides to get to the heart of matter.

“What do you mean?” replies Karola.

“Kar’mire,” clarifies Drakvar, “You hail from the West, but here you are in the capital of the South.”

“Ah, I am looking for my brother,” answers Karola as she puts down her cup of tea, “He is three years older dan me and moved down here when I was just turning sixteen. About three, no four years now.”

“Come to tell him about your new abilities in person?” inquires Valen.

“Yes and no,” says Karola, “I do wish to show him what I can do, but my main reason is dat I haven’t heard from him in a while. It was only a few days, but we were in regular contact using an old radio system dat I fixed up. So I came down here a few days ago to meet him only to find dat his district was quarantined.”

“The Thirteenth?” guesses Drakvar with a sinking feeling.

“Yes,” confirms Karola, “I suppose it is de only district dat has been quarantined recently and as I’m sure you know, nobody has seen or heard from anybody in de Thirteenth District since it got quarantined. So in de meantime, I put together a small forge, dis armour and de cannon.”

“We know why de Thirteenth District was quarantined and why nobody has been heard from,” says Valen darkly as he throws a grim look towards Drakvar which Drakvar has no problems returning.

“Why is dat?” asks Karola.

“A god-like otherworldly being who is responsible for your powers showed up and killed everybody in se Thirteenth District,” answers Valen bluntly, “It took Sir Galamin, se Ordic and Sentinel Dorrin to drive it away from our world.”

Drakvar grimaces as he watches Karola gape at Valen, her face locked in an expression of horror. But that expression soon changes into one of cold fury.

“Tell me all that you know,” demands Karola in a solemn voice, her face hard, “I need to know it all.”

And so they do and between them, Drakvar and Valen fill in Karola up until the part where Valen got his arm ripped off. At that point, Drakvar instinctively raises his arm just in time to block Shocker’s electric bolt.

“Hello Shocker,” says Drakvar as he turns to face the Champion of the Ti’darkei Order.

“Don’t call me that!” shouts Shocker as she blasts him again, but Drakvar is too stunned by the sight before him to even bother trying to blocking her latest assault.

In Drakvar’s eyes, Shocker is the same as before, but just more beautiful. He had realised that her Manifestation had increased her already good looks, but is it only now with her new armour that he has realised how gorgeous and alluring that she actually is.

Shocker is now just over two metres tall, but still not quite as tall as Drakvar. Her brown fur and hair is silky while her bright green eyes glisten. Her armour is the same gold and white plates with the Ti’darkei symbol, but has been reshaped to accommodate for her new and most magnificent curves and Drakvar can’t help, but stare. Her cloak hangs loosely around her shoulders while headset is still in place even if it isn’t turned on.

Oh, she is truly beautiful.

“What are you looking at?” demands Shocker as she blasts Drakvar again.

“You,” answers Drakvar, again not bothering to block the latest attack as he is still dumbstruck by Shocker’s beauty.

Meanwhile Valen begins to laugh and Shocker turns her glare on him and blasts Drakvar again.

“Who is this?” asks Karola as she watches the scene unfold.

“I am Champion Miskara Stormmistress of the Ti’darkei Order,” Shocker introduces herself, “And who might you be?”

“I am Forge-Knight Karola Manlin,” replies Karola.

“A Forge-Knight?” repeats Shocker in an inquiring tone, “And what exactly are you wearing?”

***

Drakvar smiles at Jordis as he looks at the young girl sitting on his lap as she reads one of her books.

He treasures the young Kithen greatly and enjoys spending time with her. Just as he enjoys spending time with Shocker and Valen.

“Family is a wonderful thing to have,” says Sir Galamin from next to Drakvar and he jumps in surprise.

Where did he come from?!

“Yeah,” agrees Drakvar as he looks over to where Valen, Shocker and Karola are explaining things to each other, drinking some fresh tea that Drakvar prepared for them, “Do you want some tea Master?”

“No thank you Squire,” replies Sir Galamin, “But thank you for the offer.”

“So why are you here?” inquires Drakvar.

“The Forge-Knight,” answers Sir Galamin, “Her creations are not the first of their kind to exist on Lyatar.”

“What do you mean?” asks Drakvar.

“The Knights of Deltae that brought about civilisation so long ago used technology not magic to achieve their miracles,” answers Sir Galamin, “Now Squire, I would like a combat analysis of the Revenant Mechanical Units.”

Godslayer Arc 1.25 Second Wave

Both of these new mechs start the battle by each unleashing about a dozen of the exploding projectiles.

Using the enhanced reaction and analysis times that his powers grant him, Drakvar swiftly works out that wide spread of these explosive projectiles will cover the area he is in along with the street behind and in front of him. He can’t avoid getting killed or severely injured by moving backwards or forwards.

So I’ll just have to move sideways instead.

Drakvar darts to the side and jumps up at the side of a building. He runs up it for a couple of moments using his momentum, but it doesn’t last forever. So he is forced to stab one of his blades into the wall and pull himself up. A couple more times and he is able to make up to the roof.

He crouch rolls away from that side of the street. With the distance behind him and the street along with his prone position, Drakvar is confident the mechs no longer have line of sight to him.

Now I can just make my way out of here and I’ll be...oh, I forgot Jordis. Damn it!

Drakvar scrambles to his feet and in a running jump, he leaps from the rooftop and down to the utterly destroyed street.

One of the mechs is moving towards the building, likely trying to pursue Drakvar in whatever way it can and he aims for that one. It turns to face him, but it is to slow as Drakvar brings down all four of his blades at it.

One black blade tears through the rotary gun while another hacks the elbow joint of the spear arm. The third blade hacks the trio of glowing red eyes, taking out two of them even as the final sword stabs into the joint of the sword arm.

But the mech still has its fair share of tricks left open to it and its starts off with unleashes its flamethrower at Drakvar’s feet. The flames tear at his lower legs and feet and Drakvar’s face twists in a grimace of pain as he desperately scrambles away.

He runs down the remains of the street despite the pain with his adrenaline is dulling most of it. Bullets from the rotary gun of the other mech follow him and Drakvar is glad that he can outrun the barrel of the gun.

But his good run lasts only briefly as Drakvar is hit in the back by an electro-bolt. He trips and stumbles, ending up on the floor in a heap. The bullets whizz over his head with one actually grazing his fur.

Damn it! Damn it! Damn it!

Drakvar backflips off of his feet and take in the situation in the brief second that he has.

Wrecked street, no Jordis in sight, one mech that is completely undamaged while the other has lost half its arms and two of its eyes.

I can do this. I’ll finish off the damaged one first and then take out the second one. Then all I’ll have to do is find Jordis.

As Drakvar takes a battle stance, the first mech charges straight at him, its flamethrower and electrocannon ready to fire while the second one heads parallels Drakvar on the other side of the side. 
It is aiming all of its ranged weapons at him, but is holding fire for now.

Let’s do this. I don’t know how, but I will.

Fortunately for Drakvar, he never has to find out about how he will do this. A three beams of blinding white light slam into the main body of the second mech, tearing gaping holes into it.

While he still flinches from the light, Drakvar notes that he isn’t affected as he should be.

A magical attack with light powers. Most likely either Valen or Sir Galamin.

With that mech dealt with, Drakvar focuses on the damaged one coming his way, but it jolts forwards a couple of times with a pair of heavy thuds before stumbling and crashing into what remains of the street, coming to a halt just before Drakvar.

Knowing what comes next, Drakvar runs away from the mech, not eager to get caught in the following explosions.

The predicted blasts fail to touch Drakvar as the injured Kith was able to put enough space between him and his defeated foes.

Staggering to his feet, Drakvar ignores what injures he has gotten and looks down at the other end of the street.

He can see three figures, two tall and one small. The first he recognises is the welcome sight of Valen and Drakvar lets out a sigh of relief as he spots Jordis clutching at the duster of the Archmage.

The final figure isn’t someone that Drakvar recognises, but is an equally odd sight as someone like himself, Valen or one of the mechs.

The female Kith is of above average height like Drakvar, but her stature is increased by the mechanicalised set of heavy plate armour that she is wearing. Making its wearer about as tall as towering Valen, it has several tubes and pipes as part of it, primarily being attached to the various joints of the armour.

Furthermore, there is what is clearly weaponry attached to the overly bulky armour. A small cannon with a long, but thin barrel is attached to the left shoulder while a sleek blade is part of the right underarm.

“You alright idiot?” inquires Valen as Drakvar strides toward him.

“Yeah,” answers Drakvar as he sheathes his swords.

He doesn’t know who this woman is or that she even a woman, but if Valen is cool with her, then he is cool with her.

“So you took out one of dese things already?” asks Valen as he surveys what remains of the street.

“I did,” replies Drakvar, taking another glance at the armoured woman, “Those mechs are tough.”

“I have already taken out nine of dose things,” says Valen with a grin and Drakvar blinks, almost coming to a halt.

Nine! I had trouble taking out one and I had no idea how to handle those other two! How on Lyatar could Valen take out nine! Oh yeah, he is a badass Archmage. Sometimes I forget that given how ineffective his powers are against the Monster’s Curse.

“Well done,” Drakvar tells Valen, being sincere in his words, “So, who is this?”

“I am Forge-Knight Karola Manlin,” answers the armoured woman in a heavy, distorted voice as she turns her head to look at Drakvar, “I am an independent Knight and I hail from de Western Mid Coast.”

“A Forge-Knight?” repeats Drakvar as he tries to place the term.

I don’t think that I have heard of that particular term before.

“Just as you wield the power of a Curse, I myself wield the power of a Forge,” explains Forge-Knight Manlin and Drakvar’s mind clicks in understanding.

Ah, Forge-Knight Manlin is a Parakith.

Godslayer Arc 1.24 Assassination

“Look!” says Jordis as she forms a ball of light in the palm of her head using magic.

“Yes, that is good,” replies Drakvar, but the older Kith is distracted by his thoughts.

When Jordis manifested her Entity Powers, her appearance changed radically. Where she once had pale white fur with long, sleek golden hair and blue eyes, Jordis now has blue fur with silver hair and eyes.

And while it wasn’t so noticeable and can be written off as her maturing, Shocker became significantly more attractive once she got her own powers.

As of such, I can’t help, but wonder if my appearance changed upon getting the Monster’s Curse. Grey eyes and spikey hair aren’t exactly traits I have seen on any other Kith that I have met.

But I simply don’t know myself and I don’t know anyone else who might know. Perhaps I should ask Shocker next time we meet. She seems to be the most knowledgeable on my past life.

“You’re not paying attention,” Jordis accuses him and he gives her a pat on the head.

“I am little sister,” replies Drakvar affectionately, “But I am also thinking about other matters at the same time.”

“Oh,” replies Jordis, “Okay Drakvar. Can I have another book please?”

“What is it with you and books?” asks Drakvar in a weary voice, “At some point, the world is going to run out of books.”

“Then I’ll just make people write more!” replies Jordis happily.

“Or you could write some yourself,” mutters Drakvar under his breath.

“Maybe when I’m older...” agrees Jordis thoughtfully.

Drakvar is about to reply when his fledgling combat instincts kick in. He tackles Jordis out of the way as two thin, razor sharp spikes whiz through the space that they previous occupied.

Almost instantly Drakvar is back on his feet, drawing two of his black blades as he scans the area for his attacker. Said attacker is easily spotted by him as the hulking brute marches through the scurrying bystanders, heading straight for Drakvar.

The metal monstrosity is ten feet tall and extremely heavily armoured with smooth grey overlapping plates. It has two legs, but six arms rather than the usual four. It doesn’t have a head or neck, but an enlarged torso with three red glowing dots near the top. The board shoulders have several small holes to them while each arm has various weaponry and assorted tools built into them.

His opponent is silent as it approaches Drakvar, but suddenly speeds up as it nears, moving faster than Drakvar would have expected from something of its size.

But having trained daily under Sir Galamin for a while now and seen more than his fair share of battle recently, Drakvar isn’t caught off-guard and it will take more than unexpected actions to surprise him in any meaningful way.

With the sword built into its middle right arm, the mech stabs at Drakvar, but he deflects it with one of his own blades. But even as it does that, the mech aims it lower left arm at Drakvar’s legs and unleashes a blast of flames from it.

But enough time around Valen has given Drakvar enough exposure to flames to realise what is going to happen and the Pakdar darts back, barely avoiding being roasted alive. Even so, Drakvar still gets a few sparks on him and they burn him slightly, it reveals something very important to Drakvar.

This thing isn’t supernatural. It isn’t supernatural and the Monster’s Curse won’t help me in this battle.

As Drakvar backs up, the mech aims its upper left rotary gun hand at him. Needing to close the range, Drakvar runs forward as the mech opens fire. As he closes the gap, Drakvar is very aware of the deadly metal projectiles whizzing over his head and shoulders.

He stabs at the glowing red eyes of the mech with his top two blades, but the mech bats them aside with its sword. But Drakvar hasn’t put all of his eggs in one baskets as he uses the swords in his lower hands to hack open the barrel of the flamethrower.

This time it is the mech that backs up, moving inhumanly quick as it rolls back up the street and firing its rotary gun all the while. But Drakvar goes give it the chance to do so, chasing after it. Despite having the opportunity to attack, Drakvar ignores it in favour of avoiding getting shot to pieces.

Drakvar stabs forward, piecing one of the three red lights, whilst also slashing at the rotary gun, cutting into the spinning barrel and almost slicing it in half. But to Drakvar’s misfortune, the mech still has another couple of tricks up its sleeve.

The mech’s middle left arm flashes forward, a trio of metal spears striking out of it. Drakvar attempts to block and while partially successful as he cuts a spear in two, one of the remaining spears cuts the flesh of his arm, leaving a light cut behind.

And while it was distracting Drakvar with the spears, the mech has also aimed the cannon built into its top right arm at the Pakdar. The barrel fills with electricity and its fires it out in a beam. The bolt of electricity hits Drakvar in the chest and unlike all of Shocker’s attacks, he is actually affected by it.

Arrgh!

He yelps in pain as the electricity flows through his body, stunning him. The mech slashes at him with its sword, but despite being stunned into non-motion, Drakvar deflects the attack out of instinct.

Now in pain, Drakvar’s enhanced adrenaline kicks into action. As the mech fires more of its razor spikes from its lower right arm, Drakvar does his best to intercept them with his swords, using all of his skill and unnatural reflexes to do so.

One slash equal one spike taken out. A stab misses, but another slash cuts another spike in two. Two more spikes and swipe takes out one and knocks the other off course so it only grazes Drakvar. A fifth spike is knocked off course with a mere flick of the blade.

As Drakvar prepares to make another attack of his own, the Kith barely has time to brace himself before the mech slams into him. His foe uses its superior mass to slam Drakvar backwards, sending him flying through the air.

Despite a rough landing, Drakvar is quickly back on his feet with all four swords in hand. Meanwhile, the mech has already backed off, putting a good amount of distance between it and Drakvar. Drakvar begins to run at the mech, but as he does so, several long and thin cylinder projectiles are launched out of the mech’s shoulder holes.

They fly towards Drakvar using some sort of fire-based mechanism at the rear and Drakvar notes they are too slow and large to be effective as bullets.

They must serve some other purpose to harm me. As a result, I should try avoid getting hit by those things.

Even if I that was what I going to in the first place.

Drakvar dodges the first two and tries to cut the third in two, but stops as he it is at that point he finds out what these projectiles do.

Just as his blade is about to make contact with the third projectile, the two behind him explode as they make contact with the ground. As Drakvar is jolted forward, he tries desperately to twist his sword so it doesn’t detonate another of these bullet-artillery shell hybrids.

He is barely successful and throws himself out of the line of fire. As the explosive projectiles slam tear up the ground where he once stood, Drakvar staggers on his feet as the nearby explosions rock him.

Another bolt of electricity comes his way, but Drakvar deflects it away from him with an instinctive flick of his blade. Eager to end this fight, Drakvar charges the mech once again.

For its part, the mech counter-charges, firing its electro-cannon again and its last few spikes at the oncoming Kith. Drakvar skilfully avoids or blocks the incoming attacks before stepping to the right as he reaches melee range.

As the mech stabs its two remaining spears at him, Drakvar cuts him in two even as he slashes at the elbow joint of the sword arm, damaging it quite a bit even if he doesn’t fully disable it.

The mech swings said sword at Drakvar, but he ducks. The sword and the lower arm it is attached to are both flung free of the mech by the force of the blow and Drakvar seizes the advantage.

He swipes upwards, taking out the barrel of the electro-cannon before hacking away at the main body of the mech, his black blades tearing through the arm.

Now defenceless, the mech stares at Drakvar with its glowing red eyes and Drakvar suddenly feels uneasy. Despite having no solid evidence to suggest this is the case, Drakvar is certain that the mech still has one trick up its sleeve and it is about to use it.

Drakvar jumps backwards, eager to put more space between him and the mech so he has more room to maneuverer. And a moment later, Drakvar is extremely grateful that he did so as the explosion from the self-destructing mech sends him flying through the air.

Drakvar lands halfway down the street, his back hitting the ground with a heavy thump. Drakvar grunts in pain as he lies there for a moment. With a weary sigh, he gets back to his feet and winces in pain.

That battle took a long out of me and I got pretty beat up. And while I will heal quickly, that will still take some time.

And so, Drakvar feels extremely annoyed as he spots two more of the mechs at the other end of the street.

Godslayer Arc 1.23 Revelations Part 2

“So what happened to Solara?” asks Drakvar as he stares down at the warrior-spirit in question, taking in her new appearance.

While her form primarily remains the same, it has taken a new look to it with fire replacing the light.

Where Solara was once white with gold plates of armour, she is now the colour of fire with black plates of armour. The white strands of light on her head have been replaced by locks made entirely of flames.

“I told you, she got destabilised by de Avatar of Paradise idiot,” replies Valen as he leans against the wall, “So to keep her from giving worse, I used my Grandfather’s pipe to fix her up and well, you can see de results. And it was my Grandfather who earn my family name of Greatflame.”

“So Solara is alright?” inquires Drakvar further, seeking confirmation.

“Yeah,” confirms Valen, “De only difference is dat Solara is a fire spirit now rather than a light spirit.”

“I already knew that,” says Jordis from where she is seating on a chair, an open book on her lap, “I spent the last two days with her while you two and been off together and Sir Galamin and the Ordic have been doing something and Shocker has been with her friends in the Inner Districts.”

“De idiot didn’t know,” points out Valen.

“Valen is right,” agrees Drakvar.

“Okay,” says Jordis as she goes back to reading her book.

To Drakvar’s surprise, Valen begins to laugh.

“What is so funny?” inquires Drakvar, confused at his friend’s behaviour.

“I’m just realising how well we fit in with each other because we don’t fit in at all,” explain Valen, “By de standards of society, we are freaks and outcasts, but dat is what draws us together. Never have I felt like a greater outcast than I am right now, but dis is also de first time I have truly felt like I belong.”

“I would comment on it myself, but this is all I know,” replies Drakvar, “You, Solara and Jordis are the closest people I have to family because I don’t even know who I am biologically related to. I have parents and a younger sister from what Shocker said, but I don’t know more than that.”

“I don’t have much family myself,” admits Valen, “Ma and pa died back when I was real young. My aunt and Divine-damned uncle took in my sister, but didn’t take me. De blasted gib hated my father and effectively casted me out of my own family. De Church did take me in and I’ve been part of it ever since. I suppose one of the reasons I want to improve my fire magic to strengthen my connection to my family. To me, my Light Magic represent my connection to the Church while my Fire Magic represents my connection to my family.”

Drakvar is about to reply when lightning comes flying towards him. Clearing noting it is supernatural origin and having a good of idea of who is behind it, Drakvar just ignore it as do Valen and Jordis.

“Hey Shocker,” says Drakvar as the Champion of Ti’darkei Order enters and in response, he receives more lightning.

“Don’t call me that!” says Shocker with a glare at Drakvar as Sir Galamin follows her into the room.

“I have brought Shocker so we can discuss recent events given how all of you have been affected,” states Sir Galamin.

“Okay, but there is something I wish to tell you first,” says Shocker.

“If it is about your super strength, senses and whatnot from birth, we already know about that,” replies Valen bluntly to Shocker’s shock, “Actually, we know more about it than you do probably given that we know the origins and extent of such powers.”

“How?” demands Shocker, still slightly shocked.

“Do you know of Saints?” inquires Sir Galamin.

“Those guys from Jord Mythology? Do you really expect me to believe in nonsense like that?” replies Shocker sarcastically and Valen begins to laugh, “What?”

“You found out magic is real, you got your powers and you’re speaking to the First Saint himself,” explains Valen through his laughter, “And yet you still believe the supernatural is impossible and just dismiss it like a typical Southerner.”

“T-that isn’t true,” protests Shocker in indignation, “B-but, that would...”

“Yes Champion Miskara,” says Sir Galamin, “You are Champion Miskara Stormmistress the Second Saint of Mirra.”

“That is-just no,” sputters Shocker in shock before letting out a nervous laugh, “Imp-impossible-Gah!”

With a cry of wild frustration, Shocker sends a bolt of electricity at Drakvar, who instinctively raises a hand to block it.

Sir Galamin gives Shocker a look and the newly declared Second Saint looks away in slight embarrassment.

“Would you like me to explain to you what Saints and Demigods are and what it means in your case?” asks Sir Galamin to the flushed Shocker.

“Yes, I really would,” replies Shocker in a quiet voice as she looks down at the floor.

“There are twenty Demigods and Saints in total,” says Sir Galamin as Shocker sits down on a chair next to Drakvar, “Each of which are rated by how powerful they are as a Saint or Demigod. As I am the strongest, I am the First Saint. I can tell from observing you that you are one of the top three and since I am the First and Grandmaster Loric is the Third, you must be the Second.”

“Oh,” mutters Shocker, “So you lot already know about my abilities?”

“Yes,” replies Sir Galamin, “And each Demigod or Saint has a connection to one of the Elder Gods or Four Divines respectively. Demigods means Those Born Of The Gods while Saints means Those Blessed By The Gods. From your electrical powers, you are clearly tied to Mirra, Lightning Soldier and Storm Goddess.”

“How does that work?” asks Miskara hesitantly, sounding very nervous, “Did this Goddess of yours pick me at birth or something?”

“De ties between a Divine and a Saint are formed at birth and without de input of the Divine,” explains Valen, “But de Saint is always someone acceptable to de Divine.”

“Saints and Demigods are always exceptional and rise to position of power while they are young,” continues Sir Galamin, “And only partially because those who know what a Saint or Demigod is want to get them under the control. Such as Alisarr and Dorrin.”

“So I was picked as the Champion because I am a Saint,” says Shocker, very distressed at the idea.

“No Champion Miskara,” replies Sir Galamin firmly, “You were picked because you are more than capable of fulfilling that duty. The fact you are a Saint just helped them realise your talent early.”

“Oh thank the Gods!” exclaims Shocker, clearly relieved at the news.

“I would also recommend not using your headset,” says Sir Galamin, “As a Saint, your powers run on Mana and Psychics used a fine balance of Chi and Mana. Due to the incompatible of Chi and Mana, your Psychic focuser is limiting your abilities rather than enhancing them in the case of the majority of Psychics as the use of Chi weakens your Mana-powered Saint abilities.”

“Oh, alright,” says Shocker and she pushes a button on her headset and the lights on it flicker and die.

“Now, if you wish for further training, you would be more than welcome to join the session in which I train my Squire Drakvar,” says Sir Galamin, “You know where to find us.”

“I will take you up on that offer,” replies Shocker.

“Now, we must discuss the powers you got from the Deceiver Entity...”

Godslayer Arc 1.19 Manifestations

Drakvar groans as he wakes up. He rubs his forehead as he sits upright, now back at his room in the abandoned factory.

Where is Jordis? What happened? Why is my head pounding? Did I hit my head? I don’t think that I did.

“Oh, you’re awake,” says Jordis and Drakvar feels his heart leap at the sound of her voice.

Yes! Jordis is alright!

“Jordis!” exclaims Drakvar as he turns to face the sound of her voice, “You’re alright!”

“I am Jordis,” replies the young girl, “And I am physically alright.”

“Are you okay?” asks Drakvar, worried and confused by Jordis’ strange response especially by how specific she is being about her wellbeing.

“As of three hours and forty seven minutes ago, I lost all of my personal memories and a significant portion of my related knowledge memories though I retained much of my general knowledge and all of my basic skills and function. Additionally, I received a variety of powers.”

Huh. That’s not unlike my own situation. I wonder how much we have in common?

“So do you have powers like my own?” inquires Drakvar as he thinks about how to deal with this situation.

“That is correct,” replies Jordis, “As per the designation of Ordic Sar’bargord, I am Sixth Grade Forger with Broad Specialisation in Lycric Magecraft. Additionally, I have various Second Grade Secondary Powers. These consist of a perfect memory, increased ability to rapidly perform advanced calculations, enhanced learning capabilities, the ability to detect localised Lyric magic, the ability to generate my own mana and an innate understanding of any Lyric magic that I witness.”

“Sounds interesting,” says Drakvar as he takes in all of that.

So Jordis can use magic now? How does she know all of that? Speaking of the Ordic, what happened to him and the others? How did I get here?

“I should also inform you that my power is strong enough to come with its own Spirit,” continues Jordis, “It calls itself the Magical Archive.”

“Oh,” mutters Drakvar, “Are you okay Jordis?”

“Yes, I am physical alright as I stated earlier,” replies Jordis.

“That isn’t-” starts Drakvar before deciding to ask anything else, “So what happened to the others?”

“They have fought off the Avatar of Paradise once you collapsed,” answers Jordis, “Sir Galamin and Ordic Sar’bargord are still out in the Thirteenth District. Valen lost an arm while Solara has suffered severe damage and is in an unstable state. Both are currently resting the room next to us. Shocker has returned to her Order.”

“So how did we get back here?” inquires Drakvar.

“Valen carried you, Solara and myself back here,” answers Jordis.

“But I thought you said he lost an arm,” says Drakvar.

“Valen has a high tolerance to pain,” replies Jordis, “There are another couple things that I feel you should be aware of. One relates to yourself while the other relates to Shocker.”

“Go on,” says Drakvar as he slumps back in his seat.

I owe Valen one.

“Firstly, Ordic Sar’bargord feels that the stress of the situation and exposure to such a large amount of Entity Power caused you to have a Second Manifestation,” says Jordis, “That is why you collapsed into unconsciousness. The sudden influx of new power conflicted with your existing power, causing your body a severe amount of stress and strain as it had to adjust.”

“So I got new powers?” asks Drakvar.

“Ordic Sar’bargord believes so, but you have yet to use any of them if you do,” answers Jordis, “Until you do, we cannot know for sure or be aware of what powers you now have. It might also be the case that the Monster’s Curse is supressing any new powers you might have gained.”

“And the second thing?” inquires Drakvar, “The one about Shocker?”

“Just as you and I have manifested due to events earlier, Ordic Sar’bargord also believes that she has manifested,” continues Jordis, “Just as my body has changed after my manifestation and so has yours, Shocker had a sudden change in her physical appearance.”

“So an altered physical form is a sign of manifesting Entity Power?” mutters Drakvar.

“Yes,” replies Jordis, “Usually at least. When I asked Ordic Sar’bargord, he said that is generally the case, but you do get some exceptions in which physical form isn’t altered upon manifestation.”

“Oh,” says Drakvar before remembering another important thing, “So what powers does Shocker have?”

“Unknown,” answers Jordis, “Beyond that fact she will have one main power with some supporting powers and her power is strong enough to have a Spirit, called Network Administrator, like my own, we haven’t been able to figure it out yet. For me and you, it is significantly easier to figure out our powers as we were just normal Kith before receiving them.”

“But it isn’t the case for Shocker I assume?” replies Drakvar.

“No,” confirms Jordis, “Unlike us, Shocker already had powers of her own. Beyond being a just a high grade Psychic, Sir Galamin has also recognised Shocker as a high grade Saint just like he is. In fact, he thinks that is why Shocker is such a powerful Psychic. I should also warn you that while Shocker is aware of some of her abilities as a Saint, she doesn’t actually know she is one yet.”

Drakvar nods his reply as he muses on those words.

“So what now Jordis?” asks Drakvar, “What are you going to do about your memory loss?”

“I do not know,” answers Jordis, “I am currently waiting here for the return of Sir Galamin and Ordic Sar’bargord.”

“Then I shall teach you about us while we wait,” says Drakvar, “As your elder brother, I will teach you about myself, your other brother Valen and your sister Solara. It is only right that you get to know us.”

“Okay big brother,” replies Jordis with the first smile on her face that Drakvar has seen since she manifested.

Godslayer Arc 1.18 Avatar of Paradise

“So where are we going Drakvar?” asks Jordis as she skips down the street with Drakvar following her from behind.

“The bookstore so I can buy you a book of your choice,” answers Drakvar, “Though I have no idea why you lead me to the Thirteenth District.”

And I would much rather avoid this District. The people here are strange. They just feel off to me in some manner. Not to mention not a single one has made physical contact with me. And they just look so strange. Almost as if they aren’t there at all.

Something is off here. Frankly, I am half-minded to simply take Jordis and leave this District. Perhaps come back with one of the others to check it out.

“Yay!” replies Jordis as she scampers over to Drakvar and wraps her arms around him in a hug, “Thank you Drakvar!”

“Don’t forget to thank Shocker as well when you next see her,” says Drakvar as Jordis runs back ahead of him again, “I am only able to do this because of her generous gift of money.”

“I will!” says Jordis as she turns the corner and pauses suddenly.

Sensing something wrong, Drakvar runs around the corner, halting as he steps in front of Jordis. He too pauses as he looks up at the sight that awaits him.

Whatever it is, it is absolutely massive, a giant swarm of swirling energy of infinite colours as it engulfs the entire street.

How can such a thing go unnoticed?

But even as he thinks that, Drakvar knows all too well how this thing could have avoided detection.

Acting on instinct, Drakvar steps in front of Jordis, placing himself between her and this...thing.

And it turns out to be just in time as the mere second he gets in front of Jordis, Drakvar is blasts by two beams of light.

They don’t blind him like Solara’s attacks did and like with all supernatural forces, they cease to exist as they make contact with Drakvar.

“Run Jordis!” yells Drakvar as the abomination unleash more attacks at him.

These attacks are much more varied with focused water, fire, energy, electricity, ice, and many other forms of attacks including a few that Drakvar doesn’t recognise.

But as always, they are completely ineffective against him. Unfortunately for him however, they do tear up the street around him.

Needing some more stable ground on which to stand, Drakvar jumps backwards and glances at Jordis, but the girl is already gone.

The abomination forms another creature out of purple-black energy. The creature is roughly Kithoid, but has a hazy, misty look to it.

Similar to a Warrior-Spirit, but...different. Just different. And wrong.

The creature glides swiftly across the ground as it races towards Drakvar. Drakvar counters charges and slams his entire body into the creature as much as he can as they connect with each other.

As he expected would happen, the creature is destroyed as it makes contact with Drakvar. Drakvar prepares to charge the unnatural abomination, only to halt as he hears Jordis cry out.

With one swift motion, Drakvar turns on his heel and sprints down the street and around the corner that he and Jordis came around.

He glimpses Jordis at the far end of the street, being set upon by Kith locals.

They must be under the thrall of this abomination.

With an angry roar, Drakvar runs down the street and racing towards Jordis.

“Drakvar!” shrieks Jordis as the Kith attackers begin to grab her, “Save me!”

As he sprints towards Jordis, Drakvar doesn’t notice the abomination consuming the buildings on either side of him or the sky above him. Instead he focuses on Jordis, smashing to the crowd of Kith surrounding her.

Both to his surprise and not to his surprise, the Kith disappear as they make contact with Drakvar. The parts that touch him simply vanish while the rest of their bodies dissolve into smoke before fading away into the sky.

What has happened to the people of the Thirteenth District?

Just as Drakvar is about to reach the screaming Jordis, tendrils from the abomination whip down, seizing Jordis and snatching her away from Drakvar. He is helpless to watch as something flows from the abomination into Jordis.

No! No! NO! NO! NO!

With a wild howl, Drakvar feels power following through his body, strengthening it and focusing his mind. With this sudden surge of strength, Drakvar leaps as Jordis and wraps all four of his arms around her, yanking the young girl from the tendrils of this otherworldly monster.

Drakvar hits the ground hard, rolling along the street as he holds Jordis tightly against his chest. He glances at her to confirm that she is okay.

Is her fur blue? How did-good, she is still breathing.

Still clutching the now blue-furred and silver-haired Jordis, Drakvar gets to his feet and glares at the abomination as it and its false Kith surround Drakvar.

I have no idea how to fight this thing let alone beat it. At least we are at an impasse. I might not be able to best it, but it is incapable of besting me.

But at the end of the day, it won’t be able to get Jordis again and that is all that matters.

As Drakvar and the abomination stand off against each other, untold amounts of electricity tears through the air, ripping into the monster and its false Kith.

Shocker? What is she doing here?

As the abomination recoils and the false Kith torn apart, Shocker comes running down the street towards Drakvar and Jordis.

“What is that-” Shocker starts to demand, but is suddenly whacked side without warning by the abomination.

“Shocker!” shouts Drakvar as the Ti’darkei Champion is sent crashing through the window of a shop.

“Do not worry my Squire,” says Sir Galamin in that loud, clear voice of his as he and the Ordic step into with Solara above them and Valen trailing behind him, “I, my father and my daughter shall deal with the Deceiver Entity.”

“Lalf Tokkk Mona!” declares the Ordic as he points his undersized blade at the abomination.

While Drakvar as no idea of what Ordic just said, the abomination clearly seems to as it retreats, disappearing as its unholy mass of swirling colours retracts back down the street.

With the threat gone, Drakvar feels the sudden of power sustaining him fade and his knees give out as he collapses and falls into unconsciousness.