Several hours later…
"Hmm, so that is what the Ability does…" Dorian muttered, his eyes lighting up.
–
Wise Jade Dragon – Lord Class (Middle)
Energy Level: 68,221
Ability: Calm Aura, Jade Memory, Jade Flames, Enhanced Magic Perception, Steady Wings, Humanoid Form
Wise Jade Dragons are powerful Draconic beings that are renowned for their wisdom. Blessed with the Jade Memory Ability that allows near perfect recall, Wise Jade Dragons were among the first Spellcasters to exist in the 30,000 Worlds. Their enhanced ability to sense Magic, and the Laws of the Universe, grants them a higher chance at entering into King Class, growing beyond their Bloodline's natural growth.
However, their great wisdom comes with a price. Compared to other Draconic breeds, Wise Jade Dragons have smaller and weaker physiques. While they are far above that of most other beasts, their overall physical might is limited in comparison to other Dragons. Their Jade Flames Dragonfire is a soothing type of flame that ranks near the bottom in attack power, but has many other uses.
–
Dorian's Wise Jade Dragon form was still not fully grown, but he'd already gained the Steady Wings Ability, again, the Jade Flames Ability, and the Calm Aura Ability.
He already knew what the Steady Wings Ability did. The Jade Flames Ability appeared to have many uses in regards to alchemy and even carried healing properties if used on injuries. However, in raw strength, they were quite weak and rather useless to Dorian at the moment.
The two Abilities he was most interested in was the Jade Memory Ability, which he hadn't reached yet, and the Calm Aura Ability, which he had in fact reached.
–
Ability: Calm Aura
A peaceful Ability that releases a soothing Aura, this power can be found in Bloodlines that have similar, calming natures. This Aura dampens emotions, and does so by drawing upon the Laws of the Universe to form a large, invisible bubble that minutely affects the mental state of everyone within it. It also grants the user an air of peaceful elegance, shaping the appearance others see.
–
It was a unique Ability that seemed extremely potent in the right hands.
The only downside was that, to activate the Ability, Dorian had to be in his Wise Jade Dragon form. He could use the Jade Flames in any form, but the Calm Aura Ability required the Wise Jade Dragon form, and apparently only another form that naturally had the Ability could be used as a substitute.
'Still. I'm sure I'll be able to find a use for it.' He tucked the knowledge away in his head, and then rubbed it.
He felt a headache try to appear as he looked to the side of his room, where the body of his fellow Anomaly, Aron, lay asleep on one of the two beds in here.
Instead of a large, ferocious wolf, the Anomaly's physical form had transformed into that of a humanoid. A metallic plate of armor had appeared, shaped like a wolf, and covered his chest and head completely, while heavy metal armor appeared all around the rest of his body.
It wasn't possible to take this armor off. This was, apparently, part of Aron's body.
Dorian had carried him and brought him back with him after rescuing him. He was slightly tempted to try drawing some of the Anomaly's Bloodline, but decided against it.
According to Ausra, the Langshen race was a type of Bloodline that required a huge amount of blood, or death, to absorb successfully.
'What am I going to do with you…' He thought, trying to figure out a plan. Leader had gone off with Aiden to scout the city and, so far, returned twice, each time with more information. According to him, there were a large number of powerful presences in the city, all at the Lord Class or stronger.
'What in the world is going on here?' The crowds of powerful Wizards and warriors in the city appeared ready for the chance at visiting the Ascension Ruins, but it seemed there was a lot going on that Dorian wasn't aware of.
The Ascension Ruins, or, at least, the Flame Empyrean Turtle that carried them, were, according to the latest estimates, set to appear after dawn, instead of in the middle of the night like previously predicted. Mira had confirmed this on her own, checking and double checking.
They were inside Tomo City.
After meeting the Department Head of the Diamond Department, the two had exchanged names and then parted ways. All they had done was shake hands, yet Dorian felt as if the Wizard had taken far more meaning from their meeting and handshake then he intended.
"I was just being polite…" He sighed. He had no idea what the Diamond Wizard thought he meant.
He looked around the room he was sitting in. Yet another common inn room, with a pair of nice woolen beds and a loose rug on the floor. Nothing too fancy, just a regular place to stay the night.
"I'm getting there Will, I'm getting there." He spoke aloud, his eyes distant as he focused on the glowing orb of light that was planted next to his soul. Will's soul.
"Tomorrow." He nodded with his head firmly and then walked over to the bed, sitting down. He prepared himself to enter a meditative state, focusing once more on the mystical sensations that he could feel so strongly in his Wrath Vampire form.
He needed to get strong, even stronger than he was now. Mastering the Law of Wrath, while focusing on Evolving his forms, seemed like his best route to strength currently.
The Anomaly, Aron, was fully unconscious and didn't seem like he would be awake anytime soon. Dorian decided to keep him in his room while he meditated, keeping half an eye on him.
.. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..
In a room not far from Dorian, Mira's shoulders trembled as she lay down on her bed, unable to fall asleep. The air around her was peaceful, yet her heart was anything but.
'Grandmother… I am finally going to find out what happened to you, and your put your soul to rest… Tomorrow…'
.. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..
A few miles from that common inn, the Vampire Trajan stood atop an empty house near the central district of Tomo City. His eyes flashed darkly as he looked up at the dimly lit sky, the Magma Sea throwing up too much light for true darkness to ever settle.
"Tomorrow, Probus. I will redeem you. Tomorrow."
.. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..
Only a mile away from Trajan, Helena stared out at the dimly lit sky from one of the stone houses, her mouth twisted. A sick feeling lay in her stomach, her thoughts muddled and stressed.
"I can do this… I can. I will fix this." She paused, turning back to look behind her.
Arial's form lay trussed up, lying quietly on a bed, still unconscious.
"I will use you to lure Veritas back out, and fix everything. I'll make use of the Ascension Ruins and your journey to them Trajan, I have a plan now." She looked back up,
"Tomorrow." She clenched her fists.
.. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..
Several miles to the east of Tomo City, Head Jiro looked at his Vice-Head, taking a long draw from his gourd of fruit alcohol. The Vice-Head's face was impassive as he looked back, the fervor in his eyes everpresent.
"Go rest, young Taemin. Tomorrow I will personally assist you in securing those Anomalies, alongside the Diamond Soldiers I brought with me. First, however, we are to explore the Ascension Ruins." Jiro's words slurred together as eyes flashed with delight.
He was standing on a large, hundred meter wide floating wooden platform that was hovering nearly a kilometer in the air parallel to the World Bridge that connected Magmor to Paxital, the closest World Bridge to Tomo City.
Also on the platform was the gaunt Vice-Head Wimo of the Cursed Water Department, and a solid dozen warriors all wearing full-suited, clear crystal armor. Several houses could be seen, temporary structures built into the floating platform.
"It's not often I get to see something so interesting!"
*Hic*
.. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..
Many miles to the north of Tomo City, the Holy Prince Isaac of the Shade Commune looked down at the unconscious figure of the Anomaly, at its odd, slightly demonic features and the large, glowing green gem set in its head, rubbing his chin. He was standing on a small mountain of broken rock and boulders, a hundred meters or so distant from the temporary camp the other Shades had set up.
"Gerulf. What do you think we should do with it?" He asked a question of the Piercing Wizard that was standing before him.
"Whatever you think is best, Holy Prince." Gerulf automatically responded, his voice gruff as he watched on. His eyes were troubled as he looked at the downed Anomaly, as if he disagreed with the rough treatment.
Isaac sighed. He picked up Xaphan's body and tossed him over to Gerulf.
"See to it that the Wizards keep it asleep. Later on, we will return to search for the fox, and see if we can hunt the other one." Isaac's voice was cool.
"Rest well. There will be no more holding back tomorrow."
.. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..
In the central castle of Tomo City, the Blazing King Pavlo, the ruler of Tomo City, sat quietly in his library. He held the scepter he always kept with him in his hand as he looked out a large window, a small smile on his face.
"Maybe tomorrow I will unfold your mysteries, old Ruins." His voice was musing, full of both intense curiosity and passion,
"Maybe tomorrow…"
Not far from him, hidden high in the shadows of the library, a small bat could be seen, watching the Blazing King's every movement.
.. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..
As all of these figures, great or small, mighty or weak, made their own resolutions, the Exotic World of Magmor burned onward, uncaring. The molten magma that covered the surface and hundreds, thousands, of meters deep boiled forth just the same, a massive force of nature that was awe-inspiring.
On a World Bridge that connected to Magmor, one that landed not far from Tomo City, but also not close, a lone figure could be seen, walking peacefully, a long staff wielded in its hands, a large bead necklace wrapped around its neck.
"Ah ah! My new friends, I have followed your trail so far, where could you be?" The figure of a monkey talked aloud to himself as he jumped and kicked, skipping down a long, poorly paved stone road.
"Come, come, Sun Wukong is waiting for thee!"
The monkey froze, stumbling to a halt. He looked down at his hands in confusion.
"A rhyme? Oh my, Number 11 seems to be rubbing off on me." The monkey shook his head ruefully,
"You really should've picked a more normal name, Number 11." He laughed out loud,
"I hope you've made it safely to the lands of the Graal Alliance." The smile faded from Sun Wukong's face as he looked forward into the distance.
"I hope I can make it to Magmor in time…" A dark, cold look appeared in his eyes, all mirth fleeing.
"If I get the chance, this time, Yukeli…" Sun Wukong began, his voice full of such power and strength that the air around him visibly twisted, distorting.
"I will tear your throat out with my own hands."
.. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..
…
…
…
The next day.
Dorian shifted comfortably in his bed, feeling almost as if someone was talking about him, far away. His eyes flashed as he opened them, exiting his meditative stance. He glanced to the side, noting that Aron appeared to be unconscious still.
Faintly, in the back of his mind, he could just barely sense Yukeli's presence, the dark being that had left its memories within him still a part of him.
'Today… I'll reach those ruins Yukeli. What answer is it that you think I will find there? An answer I won't like?'
He received no response.
He sighed again and then stood up.
It was time to go find out for himself.
.
