Sentinel Island, 1 Hour after Dryad Encounter.
Zachndr had decided to leave the dungeon early, as he felt more than comfortable with the power he'd acquired from it. Having collected a hoard of EXP, items, and currency, he was more than prepared for whatever threat a minor villain like Laiken could throw at him.
The calm shores of Sentinel island lapped gently as not only Zachndr but Astolfo and his Fae Soldiers relocated.
"Whoa…" Was all the Rider could muster, taken aback by the new location, "The air, Master… it feels wrong."
"A necromancer runs this place, little does he know he's merely keeping my chair… well I'd say warm but I doubt any actual warmth has passed that rotten fuck's fleshsuit in decades." Zachndr answered, eyes once more trailing up towards the tower.
Astolfo followed his gaze and grimaced, "Ugh… I can smell it from here."
"You six, spread out and deal with hostiles, this place is filled with all manner of atrocities. There's a way to enter the tower from the ground, but I can't remember it. Clean up the beaches and if you manage to find the entrance-" He pointed to the first elf he'd summoned, "-You report back and the others will begin clearing the tower from the bottom up, do not engage with Laiken, if you find a summoning room, call for the demon Razakel, kill it and Laiken's immortality is substantially weakened."
The Fae all saluted and rushed off to fulfil the orders without hesitation.
"That's cheating Master." Astolfo chided with a grin.
"That's what they're for, my good man." Zachndr responded breezily, "Besides, I don't want to go into Laiken's flesh pits if I don't have to, and I can assume you wouldn't either."
Astolfo paled, "You assume correctly, Master."
Patting the pink haired man on the head, Zachndr pulled up the event prompt he'd ignored.
[Rage of the Sylvan]
Objective: Survive the onslaught of Wyld Magicked fauna, slay the Dryad Mother before you are overwhelmed. Complete.
Bonus Objective: Survive 10 Minutes. Complete.
Bonus Objective: Survive 20 Minutes. Complete.
Bonus Objective: Survive 30 Minutes. Incomplete.
Achievement: [Untouchable] Defeat an Event Boss without taking damage!
Rewards: 65,000 EXP, 10 Uncommon Reagent Crates, 5 Rare Item Crates, 1 Epic Item Crate, 10,000 Credits, 1 Summoning Ticket, 1 Skill Crystal, 3 Solid Stat Shards.
Having taken a few moments to collect and regroup after the fight was more than enough for Zachndr to be content with his choice, especially considering how truly fucking dangerous he'd become in a few short hours to the primary threats he'd be facing on Rivelon.
Zachndr (Alias)
Level 85
Class:
Fighter 20/100
Dragon Knight 65/100
Race: Human+
HP: 2840
MP: 1660
SP: 1100
Strength: 224-284
Stamina: 110
Dexterity: 95-155
Intellect: 106-166
Wisdom: 125
Charisma: 620-1070
Luck: 20
Power hit him like a narcotic once more as the sheer rush of dopamine that followed his increase struck like a lightning bolt.
"Hooo-fuck that feels good." Rumbled the Dragon Knight, a hand on his racing heart, Astolfo looked at him, amused more than anything.
"Looks like it did you more than just 'good', Master." Teased the Knight, earning a chuckle for his effort.
Pulling up his notification that he'd muted he grinned broadly, paired with the smug satisfaction of Astolfo's compliment.
For reaching 150 Strength you have earned a Perk.
[Gains: You are yolked bro, and it shows. Increases strength gains by physical workouts by 5.]
For reaching 100 Dexterity you have earned a Perk.
[Streamlined: Wind resistance? Never heard of it. Your movement can no longer be decreased by non-magical means and gives a 20% chance that non-magical bindings will simply fall off you.]
For reaching 150 Dexterity you have earned a Perk.
Perk Altered due to Fae Heritage.
[Grace of the Winter Court: The Fae are known for many things, and their unnatural grace is certainly one of those things, your movement is that of a practiced dancer, always controlled and measured, even in the heat of conflict you never find yourself on the back foot.]
For reaching 150 Intelligence you have earned a Perk.
[Modular Memory: Allows either perfect recall, or perfect repression of any memories you are able to directly interact with, such as your own.]
For Reaching 1000 Charisma you have earned a Perk.
Perk Altered due to Fae Heritage.
[Lord of the Winter Court: Though you have never graced the hallowed ground of the Feywild, your very existence is that of a Lord of the Court. Any Fae you encounter will harry themselves to serve your needs, any agreements you make will be enforced by the natural magicks of the universe, mortals are compelled to tell you the truth. Boost Frost Damage by 50%.]
For reaching level 35 in the Dragon Knight Class you have learned a skill.
[Partial Transformation: Gives you the ability to transform specific sections of your body into your dragon state, such as transforming your arms for increased strength, or forcing your wings to appear.]
For reaching level 50 in the Dragon Knight Class you have learned a skill.
[Dragon Spirit: Allows you to summon up the potency of your dragon soul, restoring health and mana rapidly for as long as you are channeling it, damage taken in this state will disable all dragon-related skills for damage x .5 minutes.]
For reaching level 65 in the Dragon Knight Class you have learned a skill.
[Dragon Burst: Upon contemplation of your existence as a dragon, the raw magical energy is gathered and then forms a mighty explosion of raw magical energy, afterwards greenery will rapidly develop in the surrounding area.]
There was a beat of silence as Zachndr observed with great joy, his perks.
"Master." Astolfo whispered, "Your hair is growing ornaments."
Opening his character sheet Zachndr did indeed see small icicle shaped ornaments twisting from his hair hanging idly down the right side of his head, where he tried to keep his hair, otherwise it defeated the whole point of the side shave.
In his humble opinion.
Small icicles, roughly an inch in length, emitting no temperature they looked more like rough glass.
"Don't even weigh down the curls, very dope." Zachndr admired, taking a few moments before closing the panel.
"They look good, Master." Praised Astolfo, jingling the icicles with an amused expression on his face.
"Thank you." The Dragon Knight smiled, throwing an arm around the smaller males shoulders and giving him a quick hug, "You've an eye for aesthetics, I'm glad to impress."
Astolfo felt a burst of warmth in his chest as his face was engulfed with the chest of his Master, while somewhat used to physical affection, it felt slightly different coming from his Master, no strings attached, just a moment of camaraderie.
It was nice.
Zachndr released the Servant, and cracked his Stat Crystals, putting an additional 15 into his Luck stat, as it was the only one of his attributes that hadn't grown.
Next he popped the Epic Item crate, and was beyond pleased at what he'd found.
[Asauchi Epic-T3: Plucked directly from the forge of Oetsu Nimaiya, the precursor to all Zanpakuto, capable of housing a spirit of great power when cared for by a Soul Reaper. The limitless potential of the sword is something truly wondrous. 0/? MP]
Asauchi Soulbond.
The katana appeared in his hand, a simple thing which belied its true nature. A simple black sheath and square guard, no fancy adornment to be seen.
"What'd you get Master? You look pleased." Astolfo commented, observing the simple blade critically.
"It's the weapon of… I guess you could call them soldiers, but their official name is Shinigami, they're basically guardians of the afterlife on another world. Their weapons can do some, frankly, insane shit." Zachndr explained, sliding the sword onto his belt, slowly beginning to look like a wannabe Pursuer.
Astolfo blinked owlishly, "That's amazing! How does it work? It sounds like some kind of Noble Phantasm."
Zachndr scratched his head for a moment as he tried to think of how to explain something so outlandish concisely.
"So basically the Shinigami are given these when they graduate from their training, or sooner I'm not sure, and due to the exposure to the Shinigami's energy, the swords gradually begin to change, they can eventually release into different levels of power, acting as some kind of crazy multiplier in terms or raw power, or refinine it to a point. There's a woman who's first form is a hornet gauntlet that has the power to instantly kill if she manages two strikes in the same place, and the second form is a fucking rocket launcher."
Astolfo paused for a moment, digesting the information, his face crinkling with thought and confusion, but there seemed to be a moment in his head and he shrugged, "Not the strangest thing I've ever heard. Do you know what yours'll do?"
"No idea, given my connection to the Overseer, it could be someone else's spirit, or it could make a whole new one, I suppose time will tell." Zachndr admitted with a shrug.
"Well either way, it's definitely 'dope'." Astolfo said, using physical quotation marks and all, before snickering at the look on his Master's face and shoving him slightly, "How'd I do?"
Zachndr had a delighted look on his face, completely bespelled by the smaller male, placing his hands across his heart, "You bring me such joy."
Sticking his nose up and puffing out his chest, Astolfo said, "Of course I do, Master. I am great!"
Pinching the pink haired man's cheek Zachndr cooed, "Yes you are, aren't you?"
Blushing brightly the Paladin of Charlemagne freed himself before cupping his cheeks and pouting, "Mou Master, such a tease. My delicate heart can't take it!"
A wide grin grew on Zachndr's face, 'Ah, life is good.'
Astolfo noticed the look in his eyes easily enough, it was something his Master wore well, heartfelt joy, it made Astolfo's pulse quicken at the guileless expression.
'The way his eyes sparkle, so cute…'
The two just kept staring at one another for a few moments before once more Astolfo was denied the splendor of the gaze as his heartless Master held up a golden ticket.
'So hard to keep his attention!' Steamed Astolfo, a heavier pout on his face this time.
Summoning Ticket used.
Once more the circle exploded into existence, a spinning card appearing as red lightning arced off it wildly.
Zachndr crossed his arms, raising his chest to project confidence, 'I got super lucky before, I wonder who it will be this time?'
Astolfo watched the shift in body language and smirked, sidling up to his Master to make sure whatever Servant was summoned would know the pecking order!
The card suddenly shattered instead of spinning further and the gold dust it emanated fueled the circle, taking both Master and Servant off-guard.
From the circle rises an enormous figure, almost three metres tall and with the fluffiest cloud of hair conceivable flowing behind them.
"Asterios!" Zachndr cheered, arms outstretched as he took a few steps towards the giant son of Minos.
Asterios was the 'Minotaur of the Labyrinth' of greek myth, history was not kind to the Minotaur, and even more so to Asterios. His father King Minos, had inflamed the ire of Poseidon by not providing a Divine Bull for sacrifice, so Poseidon cursed the wife of Minos, Pasiphae with the desire to mate with bulls.
Skip forward a bit and Asterios was born, Minos threw him into the Labyrinth and sacrificed children to Asterios, forced to become a monster to survive, Asterios spent his entire life inside the Labyrinth, never once seeing the sun or the skies.
Ultimately Asterios was slain by Theseus, as the sacrificing of children to some unknown creature didn't particularly sit well with the man. To be slain was to be released, for Asterios as through no fault of his own nor his mother did he become a monster, for if Minos had not coveted the Bull so, the Bull would not have been his undoing.
Standing before Zachndr was Asterios, a being of Legend, one he actually knew well enough to understand some of the nuance, the towering man-beast stared down at the Dragon with black and red eyes.
Asterio's body was that of a man, in appearance at least, but ultimately he was a magical beast. He possessed the Magical Resistance of a monster, and the strength of one, but his heart was something else.
He bore the heart of a child, and the wisdom of a sage. For whilst learning was not something Asterios had ever done, his life had given him much time for reflection and personal growth.
A long curtain of white fluffy hair followed behind the man, a pair of axes gripped firmly in his hands, originally a battle-axe now two halberds of incredible length.
A pair of black horns pierced through the white fluff on the man's head, 'Second ascension… interesting that he didn't come with his mask.'
Asterios looked around for a moment, taken aback by the great tower in the distance, and the sound of waves lapping at the sandy bank they stood on.
"WHOOOOOOOOO!" Screamed Asterios throwing his arms into the air something Zachndr mimicked without hesitation for a very different reason.
"The Good booooooyyy!" He screamed to the heavens, Asterios knew not what the man referred to but added his voice to the howl easily.
With a flash of movement he was a foot away from the giant Berserker and extended his hand, "I am Zachndr, it's a pleasure to meet you Asterios, I ask you, are you my Servant?"
"Ooooh! You turned it on him!" Astolfo exclaimed, looking somewhat struck at the image the man cut.
Asterios looked down at the offered hand and pondered it for a moment, "You… are a Master? My Master?"
Whatever consideration needed to be taken, Asterios did not take it, instead engulfing his Master's hand with his own, and jerkily shaking it, "I am Asterios, Berserker. I am at your side, Master!"
The wild grin on his face and the way those ruby iris sparkled made a familiar warmth glow in Zachndr's soul.
'Ah, the joy of friendship.'
The contract was sealed in that moment, more sigils burning their way up Zachndr's arm, a pair of mighty horns atop the all-seeing eye on the back of his hand.
"I look forward to many great adventures with you, Asterios." The methodical manner with which he spoke was somewhat alien to his own ears, but it was truly wonderful to never feel a stutter coming up.
The impossible grin on the taller man's face grew even more, "Yes! Adventure!"
"Ooh! He's so excited!" Rider said, bouncing over to stand aside his Master, "Yoo! I'm Astolfo, nice to meet you, Asterios!"
Turning to face the small pink Servant, Berserker nodded in greeting. "Tiny friend."
Puffing up his cheeks Astolfo groaned, "I hope that doesn't stick."
Asterios grimaced, "Tall friend."
Zachndr snickered as Astolfo whipped around on him, "Uuuh! Master, don't encourage it!"
Looking slightly panicked Asterios tried once more, "Medium friend?"
The Dragon boomed laughter as Astolfo floundered at the sincere look on the tall man's face, "If you want, you can call me Rider. Or Astolfo, Asterios."
At the encouragement the giant boy nodded attentively, "Yes, I will."
Zachndr grinned brightly, very pleased to see them getting along. "Well, I'd say we should explore but I'd rather we do so after we remove Laiken from my throne. The good thing is, him being immortal doesn't really change what I'm going to do to him."
The smile became sinister and sent prickles down Astolfo's spine, "What exactly do you have planned for him, Master?"
Those bright green eyes locked onto the small knight as Zachndr answered, "He's a monster of flesh, he has caused too much harm to go unpunished, I shall happily give him just punishment for his actions."
"A more literal answer?" Astolfo dared, noting the ominous waves seemingly pulsating from his Master.
"I'm going to carve him until there's nothing left but his hideous, screaming head. Then I'm going to spike him on the nearest peak, and leave him to be pecked at by carrion feeders. Never dying, never going out, because he's soulforged himself to a Demon. There's many things in this life that can make the horrors he inflicted on his victims look comforting." There was a profoundly dark look in the Dragon Knight's eyes, a grim spectre seemed to hang around him as he condemned Laiken, and put an oath to his punishment.
Asterios was slightly lost but he got the gist of it being some kind of crime-punishment ratio, something he could get behind.
Astolfo gulped audibly, but set his heart to steel as he realised that the reasonable man his Master was wouldn't provide such a grim indictment if the villain was not of equal horror. He would reserve his judgment until more information was before him.
A pair of mighty blue wings exploded from the back of the Dragon Knight, offering his hands to the two men in his party, "Shall we?" He asked with a broad grin, the haunting aura having not left yet.
A frigid breeze began to blow, wisps of frost beginning to spiral around the Dragon Knight's feet, his green eyes burning bright with barely held eminence.
Asterios clapped arms with his Master, eager to see conflict as his Madness Enhancement begged and pleaded in his core.
Astolfo took the hand offered and braced himself as the Dragon Knight's arm coiled around his waist, sudden inertia hit the Paladin of Charlemange as they climbed into the sky.
A blast of frost seemingly dripped off his wings and coated the ground in ice, freezing the grass that had begun to needle through the sand.
They climbed and stole distance rapidly, the Dragon Knight aiming for the main spire of the Battle Tower, where his vague recollection told him the Morph Stone lay, which was attached to the throne room.
Two wrought iron wyrms coiled around a font of power, in which lay a ruby stone gilded with golden dragon wings, a blue fire burning ever around it, holding it in place.
Zachndr landed and separated from his teammates, his wings still out as he began springing towards the heavy stone doors separating him and his target, with a furious roar that made stormclouds gather he hopped into the air and kicked with all his might, two boots forcing open the mighty doors and slamming them off their hinges.
The scene inside was one of debauchery and sin, Laiken - whom was quite startled - sat in his throne, risen from the floor by a long stretch of stairs, at the base of the stairs was a sight of gore and viscera, bodies and limbs scattered into haphazard piles, the scent of which made the entire room smell truly rancid.
Taking but a mere moment to 'get into character' Zachndr pushed all the negativity, all the suppressed anger, and hatred that he kept a firm bottle on and felt his heartbeat savagely in his ears.
Zachndr took a deep breath and released a mighty storm of frost that covered the entire room, landing in the centre on a stained red carpet.
"LAIKEN!" Howled the Dragon Knight, drawing his Harvester, the fury and hate in his words forced fear into the Necromancer's heart.
Boss Fight Initiated
Objective: Defeat Laiken the Necromancer
Reward: Battle Tower (Residence). [Hijacked Prophecy] Perk.
Laiken, a body composed of rotting flesh, dressed in finery made to enhance his considerable power, with a hooded crown resting on his head, was afraid.
Laiken, a necromancer who had lived for centuries and had leashed the battle tower to his command, was scared.
Laiken, a man whom had traded all levels of humanity for power and dominance, felt his dead pulse quicken and flow as the only true moment of terror in his life sparked to life.
This figure of death, bearing a sword that could only be described as hungry, had set upon the tower with no warning, nor prompting.
"Who-who dares!?" Screeched the Necromancer, but instead of waiting for an answer summoned a dozen of his mightiest creations, bladed horrors with skin stretched taut, hands and arms replaced with wicked edges and covered in savage spikes.
The creature did not answer, instead flashed with a golden light that rapidly exploded out a swirling vortex of golden, translucent weapons sweeping out around him and cleaving the abominations in twain.
Laiken snarled, "You wretch, I'll not be so easily cowed!"
Great gouts of flame began to circle around Laiken, with a gesture he threw a dozen meteors towards the invader, only for another, pinker invader to jump before him, a book in hand.
"Casseur de Logistille!" Golden pages rapidly formed a barrier that absorbed the meteors, seemingly nullifying them completely.
From the smoke shot forward a towering beast of a man, two mighty poleaxes in his grip and a furious red glow to his eyes, Laiken sneered, the fear in his heart giving him the unintended benefit that only fear could.
Fight or Flight.
Laiken chose to fight.
A wall of frost spawned between him and the man-beast, only for it to be splintered and shattered upon meeting the axes, not stemming the creature's charge even slightly.
"Beast!" Snapped Laiken, instead producing an enormous wave of force that rubber-banded the creature and threw it across the room.
The golden shield dissipated and the pink one smirked at him, rage flooded Laiken like never before, these invaders were cocky were they!?
He moved to speak but caught the eye of the winged one, and his throat closed, the unwavering stare made his mind seize up.
It was like being a void, where only they existed, but not there was more.
Behind Laiken, a mountain of corpses and blighted land, behind the man… a dragon, a towering creature that froze the blood in Laiken's still veins, scales like shards of ice, eyes like suns and a truly horrifying entity further beyond that, made entirely of eyes.
All of which were staring directly at the sword wielding man.
"You're in my chair." The man spoke, the words struck Laiken like a physical blow to the gut, dread began to settle once more.
A displacement of air was the only warning Laiken had, the void shattered as the man was suddenly before him, sword already in motion, Laiken's years of experience were the only thing to save him from the tsunami that was the Dragon.
A ward, capable of withstanding anything he'd encountered was erected, the sword slammed against it and howled in Laiken's ear, raging at the prospect of being denied prey.
Fury burst into the gaze of the Dragon, Laiken pushed the ward as he began to stand, forcing the creature back.
"Pathetic Dragon, you will not take what is mine! You will not push me from my tower!" Screamed Laiken, undead atrocities rising from the bodies as his magic shot out erratically, animating them.
Lightning began to spark in the air, bolts hailing down onto the Dragon, striking his back.
This didn't seem to dissuade the man, if anything it made him angrier, eyes glowing so bright they left a trail, "Boost!"
Like lightning the man was gone, Laiken felt a shift but as he turned he could only think.
'I feel… weightless.'
Zachndr cleaved the Necromancer's head and snatched it from the air with his left hand, driving his Harvester into the torso of the lifeless corpse, he began striding towards the landing platform and without hesitation grabbed a nearby brazier and snapped the bowl off it, spiking the head onto it, to stare out into the harbour.
Taking a deep breath Zachndr let the tension drain out of his body, his wings disappearing into motes of blue energy that swarmed about like fireflies before winking out of existence.
Sheathing his Harvester and placing his hands on his hips he took another deep breath in, and out.
"So this'll be the view you get for eternity, don't worry. I'll make sure to feed the gulls so you've got plenty of company." Promised the Dragon Knight, the head gaping like a fish as it tried to speak, alas, it had no torso thus it could not.
"I was considering feeding you to my Harvester, but then I realised Arthas' folly. He fed Frostmourne the means of his destruction, and I don't exactly have any desire to go down the path of self destruction." Monologued the elfin man, squatting onto his haunches and cupping his cheeks with his hands, looking out over the slowly clearing haze of red that had shrouded Sentinel Island recede.
"It's wacky really, just how easy it was to break you down, but I suppose even in the game you weren't exactly a hard part, you're a stepping stone for someone else, Laiken." A cheshire grin grew on the dark haired man's face.
"The best part is it wasn't even me, it's someone else who - depending on several factors - isn't even prepared to face you yet. A new Dragon Knight, who's trial will span far and wide."
A far off look in his eyes took hold, "Meeting all kinds of people, hopefully helping them and doing good. Rivelon is a wonderful place for an adventure I'd say."
The approaching footsteps of his companions alerted Zachndr to their presence, "Imagine it, Laiken. Whimsy and wonder, undercut by a devilish plot by powers beyond even your ken."
"Yes, Rivelon is in for quite the journey I'd say… god I never learned the chronology, but I doubt I'll tarry long after I deal with Damien. Might actually feed him to Harvester, it's very much a good place for moustache twirling limpets like him. Bald fuck." Groused the Dragon Knight, before chuckling.
"You seem to have missed a few steps, Master." Observed Astolfo, noticing the lack of horror being inflicted on the head.
"Yeah well, the more I thought over the idea the more excessive it became, I mean all it does is perpetuate a cycle of horror, this is a good middle ground, eventually I'll get bored of this and probably just bury him somewhere. Alone, and forgotten."
"Hmm, the worst punishment is solitude." Asterios interjected, looking twitchy at the idea, "Should just kill him when bored."
Zachndr felt the potential upset before he knew what to do, which previously would lead to him just opening his mouth but as some kind of leader figure, he was somewhat expected to consider and 'think'.
It was a wonderful revelation that he didn't have to speak before thinking, his body finally listening to that little tidbit after two and some decades of glitching on him.
It made sense to him, Asterios was punished for existing, children were sacrificed to him in the desolate solitude of the Labyrinth, the man was easily traumatised to the moon and back, and the idea of his own existence being forced upon another, didn't sit well with him.
Zachndr stood up and stretched out like a cat, "Yeah, you're right, Asterios. Giving it some thought I think I'll err on the side of treat someone how I would like to be treated, so Laiken. When I feel like you've had your penance, and suffered enough for the suffering of others, I'll kill you. And don't worry, I know all about Razakel. I'll get him too."
Patting the crowned head Zachndr strode back towards the throne room, throwing a smile Asterios' way, who returned it eagerly.
"Thank you, Master." The Minotaur Mythos was indeed grateful, it set his heart at ease to know the villain wouldn't be punished needlessly for eternity. Merely a section of it.
"Hmm, I suppose now would be the time to return Sassan to the world of the living… She organised everything on a domestic level in the game, and I suppose seeing Laiken like that would make her grateful, resurrection aside. Hmm, I suppose we'll see what this little sequence break does." Rambling to himself as he stood in the centre of the throne room Zachndr frowned deeply.
With a flick of his wrist, three dozen Fae Soldiers appeared, "Clean this place up. Take any whole bodies down to the beach and bury them, speak my name when you do so. Life will grow from this misery."
The Soldiers all saluted as one and set about doing just that.
"Tom, Dick, Harry! Are you alive!?" Hollered the Dragon Knight, his voice booming down the tower like a thunderstorm, "Laiken is no more, this tower is now under to command of the Dragon once more, should you wish for employment I shall see it done, should you wish to return to your homes, I shall see it done."
"Who are they Master?" Astolfo asked, covering his face with his hands, the stench beyond unbearable to the frenchman.
"Slaves for Laiken, I'm pretty sure they were gophers. He'd want something, they'd risk life and limb to get it." Zachndr informed, "Also they're named after the saying, 'every Tom, Dick, and Harry' which, when I was younger, completely went over my head."
Astolfo snickered quietly, bumping his Master's hip with his own, "Poor Master, a simple child he was, now a grown man and all out of sorts."
The pink haired Paladin's eyes sparkled with glee as Zachndr turned and scrunched his face, "How rude!"
"You bounce around Master." Noted Asterios, looking the man up and down with a discerning eye.
Translating what the taller man said in his head, Zachndr answered, "It's all about playing a role, Asterios. I don't know what it says about me but I find it easier to act a certain way during conflict, if I prop up a character in front of me, I don't have to... feel it all so viscerally? Like, I'm not a person of conflict by nature, not to say I'm not enjoying myself with all this… power."
Zachdnr took a moment to marvel at his own hand, harsh and clawed, bursting with energy that danced underneath the surface of his flesh, the siren song of battle, furious, gut wrenching battle made his heart skip a beat.
"It's wonderful, I'm self-aware enough to not in the grand scheme of things, I'm nothing. But I've always been nothing, and that's never bothered me before. A single life, a single soul, in the enormity that is the cosmos, is barely noticeable. And yet it is the human perception that ascribes untellable value onto it. Now, of course to go and set upon your fellow man in some mad quest for power, atrocious. Unconscionable. But that is only because I myself ascribe to the morals I do, because whilst I am aware that no life has true value, regardless of how big or how small they may be, I would stop at no end to preserve it."
Having completely lost track of the actual question, Zachndr instead began to monologue, because he felt he had something of merit to say, and perhaps a pair of literally mythical beings, would be willing to hear it.
He began pacing as he orated, something he did consciously, the rhythm helped him think, and lost that 'stuck' sensation he got when he planted his feet.
"For whilst it has no value, that in itself gives it infinite potential. Infinite possibilities that yes some call the human condition, a nihilistic and pessimistic view of existence, no I say! No, to be human is to be alive, aware, conscious and is that consciousness that gives it ultimate potential, to touch and taste all that life is, to smell and see any and all things, to hear the very world around you and experience it all with a completely unique and solitary experience that no amount of skill can truly elucidate, every human sees that world one way, and it is only through the compassion and enthusiasm that one needs to live life is it that one can achieve anything! Be anything! Possibilities are endless and to waste it is tantamount to blasphemy!"
"To choose to destroy, to choose to reap and ravage the world around you, the people around you! It's madness, it's meaningless, it's destruction! Pointless, it's pointless! It serves no purpose, to create is to shape existence, regardless of whether it be rudimentary or something truly mystical."
He stopped, chest heaving, hand shaking as this revelation seemingly rocked him, whatever spirit of philosophy possessed him unlocked some strange and esoteric insights into what he perceived as life.
A smile, soft and warm, creased his face.
"I've gone off topic." He said, staring out to the landing area from the centre of the throne room, the bright blue ocean stretched as far as he could see from his view, it was beautiful, he noted.
"I change because it brings me comfort. That's it." He answered, looking from the ocean to his companion, his friend.
Asterios grinned broadly, having not heard such passion in all his life.
Astolfo, having been around poets and warriors alike, thought it was quite well done for what appeared to be a spur of the moment thing. The fire in his heart helped convey himself which the Paladin appreciated, he loved passion.
The words themselves, essentially a foundationally thinking of universal good. An idea Astolfo could ascribe to, it was a nice idea. And regardless of how bleak it may seem, something nice was just what someone needed.
'Your fire burns bright, Master.' Thought the pink haired man, admiring the serene glow seemingly surrounding the black haired man.
Zachndr stood in the moment for a while, enjoying his personal little revelation, it was validating to speak and be heard, regardless of their thoughts on his ideals, they allowed him to just say his piece.
It was mortifying in a way, now that he thought about it, how often did he get that feeling?
'Well, I suppose it can only go up from here, personally speaking.' He thought, a smile fixing it's way onto his face.
"Look ever onward, for it shall be brighter, in the future." He said, resisting the urge to grin like a fool, Zachndr liked the idea of a quote.
"Your thesis was sound, Master. Perhaps the breadth could be trimmed, regardless of how beguiling your voice is, if you wish to make a point you need to do so in a shorter time." Critiqued Asterios, Greece was considered the home of philosophy by many, and thus it reflected in Servants of Grecian Myth.
Zachndr nodded and took it on board, acutely aware of how even with his newer ability to process information and retain it to superhuman levels, his raw ability to actually communicate wasn't something his Charisma skill could magically change.
"I'll take that under advisement." He acquiesced quickly because he saw the earnest nature of Asterios for what it was, objectively speaking the Minotaur was wiser than he was, he had been a conscious existence longer and had a unique perspective.
Granted, Zachndr was aware fully of his existence as a piece of entertainment for an all-seeing all-knowing being, or beings. Depending on what the Overseer actually was.
Or if it could even be quantified.
His head spun at the concept.
Having the corpses removed and the throne cleaned Zachndr sat for a moment in his new chair, trying to recall how Sassan was returned to the mortal coil, he vaguely remembered her ring being important.
He remembered the woman herself easily enough, she was fiery - for a game released in 2009 - and had a fighter's spirit, regardless of her connection to Laiken she knew him for what he was eventually, a monster given flesh.
Necromancy itself was fine, it was the overindulgence in being a moustache twirling villain of an RPG game that was his downfall.
Sassan was integral to the Tower being as it should be, as were the trainers that Island would acquire. Though in reality he wasn't exactly worried about using their skills so much as refinine his own with their help.
Hermosa was a martial weapon master, if the player has her and the other trainer fight, she crushes him. So much so that Zachndr didn't know the man's name, he'd never picked the guy.
Getting genuine training from someone who knew what they were doing was something Zachndr greatly looked forward to, his motivation for self-actualisation and improvement rooted in the core of his chest, he had the means, the time, and the incentive to do it.
More importantly, he wanted to do it.
Not typically a creature subjected to his wants, but also deeply controlled by them Zachndr considered the duality of his mind, the logical and cold part of him that dictated that the most efficient things were the only ones worth doing, warred with the burning star that was his passions, but like all stars it waned and drifted.
It was like trying to wrangle himself but never being able to.
Stepping off his throne Zachndr strode through the now clean throne room, arms behind his back as he casually walked up to the landing platform, looking at the dragon morph stone, "This triggers Damien to attack, but neither he nor Zandalor made an appearance, I suppose even to them I'm unnoticeable."
Stepping off the edge and producing his wings Zachndr glided listlessly down to the beach, towards the northern side of the island, where a mighty wreckage lay pierced between a forked spire of stone, the water was a soft blue and shimmered in the afternoon light.
"Greetings once again, mighty dragon." The Island appeared before him once more, as his boots touched the sand, the water gently lapping but a few metres away.
"And to you, how's the day been?" The Dragon asked idly, looking off into the horizon, just taking in the view, the clouds were split and sundered across the bright blue sky, must be harsh winds, he thought.
"A great deal more pleasing than the day before, already I can feel Laiken's hold on the island being ripped away, the Battle Tower recognises you as it's Master." The Island informed, the sylvan like spirit floating a few centimetres off the ground, oscillating around the Dragon, as though examining him.
"He's receiving a fitting punishment." Zachndr offered, green eyes locking onto the spirit as it passed his vision, "Have the guests arrived?"
"They have, Master of the Tower. They are aware of their fates, I must say I find it odd that you knew of the candidates before stepping foot upon my surface." The Island seemed to stop, and look him directly in the eye.
Zachndr shrugged and without arrogance, nor pride did he say, "I originate from a higher plane of existence, your world, and it's events, are known to me."
The Island seemed to digest this, he felt a shared presence in his mind, The Island was attempting to open communications, he allowed it and for a moment the bark-like face of the creature creased with confusion.
A wave of existentialism seemed to resonate from the Island before it was filed away into acceptance, "So it seems." Was all it said.
"Doesn't mean it holds any less value, I'd say it has even more-so." He commented, "Because I know some of the paths, but my interactions with this world have been scripted, pre-determined. Anything from beyond this point is new, I've already torn up the road-map."
"What are your intentions?" Questioned the Island, and it was a fair question to be sure.
"Stay here until I get bored, then move on. I already have what I wanted from this world, the powers of a dragon. Especially dragon's of Rivelon, they're forces of nature, far beyond your run of the mill wyrms. I don't know where to go next though, maybe something sharply contradictory."
"For the Great Entity That Watches?" The Island prodded.
Zachndr hummed an affirmative, fingers idly running over the cobalt blue of his Twice Critical, "I've never felt so happy."
"To be used as an entertainment source for a cosmic entity?" The Island was perplexed by such an idea.
"The why is kind of irrelevant to me. Everything I do, everything I will do, all the places I'll see, all the people I'll meet, they're all as real as I am. It's… overwhelming, and terrifying, but also exhilarating. Each step I take I'm certain of, because even if things don't go my way, I'll always be seeing or doing something I'd have never been able to."
A warm-as-sunset smile spread across his face, the sand beneath his feet rapidly turning to soil as grass and flowers with a radiant shine to them, grew and bloomed.
"It's incredible, beyond anything I could have ever dreamed and so much more." Motes of light gathered in the waters as new life was created, long and sleek eels seemingly made of fibrous strands began to uncoil and swing about just above the waters, brilliant blue energy filling out their forms.
"I just made Mana Wyrms with a thought, that's beyond amazing." He said, casting his hand out as one of the wyrms floated over and coiled around his arm, sliding over his armour before uncoiling and seemingly dancing about in the air around him.
The Island's avatar had creases of blue lining some of the rougher edges of her bark-like skin as these creatures came to life, she felt their existence, as real as any other.
"That's why I came here first, Rivelon has a special place in my heart. I'll be glad to put Damien on a spike next to Laiken, Ygerna will remain locked away in the Hall of Echoes, and the future as it was written, will be completely different, Rivelon will be different." Zachdnr prophesied.
"And what of the foretold Dragon? Have you not dashed one story with your own?" The Island prodded once more, puzzling this creature before itself.
Zachndr appeared thoughtful at the question, taking a moment to form a response he spoke, "I think that, if it was a story worth being told, it still will be. Just different. If this Dragon Slayer turned Dragon Knight really does continue on here without prodding from Laiken, or his now-defunct sex-corpse, I suppose it's all down to what Ygerna pushes them to do."
"They'll need the morph stone, providing ample reason to arrive here, but I don't need it, so I'll be happy to part with it, it wasn't mine in the first place after all." He said with a shrug.
"When is this story over, Overseer?" Zachndr asked, calling up to the skies.
When the Damned One has fallen, and the Black Ring razed. This chapter in Rivelon's History is over. You may retain Sentinel Island as a hub of sorts, though it will move with you, onto the next world.
"Thank you very much." The Dragon said with a tilt of his head.
You are welcome.
He turned to the Island, who did a good job of looking deeply haunted, "So yeah, not too long. I'm going to greet my new house-guests."
With a leaping start the Dragon made his way back to his tower, the spectre of the Island disappearing into the sands, sullen and perturbed.
End
Very all over the place, but it's been a hot minute.
Stuff has occurred, rest assured if you guys enjoy this I'm not going to pop it in the fuck-it-bucket.
Just realised the Divinity 2: Ego Draconis, for all I enjoyed it, doesn't really have a whole lot going on.
Regardless, we'll just have to make more.