AN: Rolls are going to continue happening every 1000 words, but points will be acquired from achievements from now on. Since he rolled so fucking great last chapter he won't receive anything from defeating Insurrection Prime, but moving forward you can expect him to receive points from meeting important people, exploring notable areas, performing epic feats and anything else I feel like. I'm still experimenting, so any values are subject to change. As for a narrative reason for the shift? Consider it the end of his tutorial.
"What took you so long?"
The Guardian strides toward me with a nonchalant swagger. Residual Solar Light radiates from their armor, a portion of the energy expended in their super returning with Siviks death. They stop a few paces away, beaked helmet tilting slightly as they take in the battlefield, the smoldering wreck of Insurrection Prime, and the fleeing remnants of the Fallen forces.
"You looked like you had it covered." She says, voice light and almost playful, filtered through their helmets speakers. Her words imply she was watching for a bit before she intervened, but I could be off in my guess.
I shake my head, leaning more heavily on the Moonlight Greatsword as the stress from the battle starts to settle into my bones. There's a definite weariness in my spirit, a soul deep ache from emptying and refilling my energies over and over in such a short time frame. My magicka reserves grew by maybe 30 percent over the battle, with my Pyro reserves only increasing maybe 5 percent. My circuits didn't change at all, which makes sense.
"Suppose you were waiting for my hero moment, but I used up everything on the mech, so it wasn't to be." I manage a grin, but the mental exhaustion is creeping in fast. "Thanks for the assist."
They wave it off with a gloved hand, their golden helmet catching the first rays of the rising sun as it finally crests the horizon. "No problem." Her head tilts to the side, catching sight of a few fallen fleeing the scene. Her demeanor shifts from playful to commanding seamlessly. "Shayura, take the others and clean up the fallen remnants. I doubt they can make it past the corden Shaxx set up with his Redjacks, but better safe than sorry. Comm me if anything big shows up."
The moment she says Shayura, my heart skips a beat. A cold dread pools in my chest. That Shayura? The one from the lorebooks? The future Guardian killer? The thought of it sends a shiver down my spine. I really, really don't want to set her off. I'm not confident in my chances if it comes down to a fight against her, especially not as weakened as I currently am.
Shayura gives me a long, assessing look before nodding at Sora. She leads the rest of the raid group to track down the Fallen stragglers. Once they're gone, I let out a small sigh of relief, though I don't relax completely.
"So…" She says, breaking the silence. "You always take on massive war machines solo, or is today just a special occasion?"
I shrug. "Just happened to be in the district when they arrived. Couldn't let them get away with whatever they were doing, and then one thing led to another and I'm fighting a giant robot. You know, normal Thursday."
She chuckles, shaking her head. "Not quite normal, but I get it. I've had my share of 'one thing led to another' moments. I'm Sora, by the way." She extends her hand.
I grasp it, giving a firm, if a little lethargic shake. "Mavriel, future greatest Wizard in the universe."
"Don't you mean Warlock?" She asks.
I'm going to hear that a lot, aren't I?
Before we can continue, the sound of a jumpship cuts through the air, drawing our attention upward. Ada-1's Lone Wolf descends, the woman herself materializing nearby in a flash of transmat energy while her ship's autopilot takes over.
She approaches us with calculated, measured steps, her optics flitting over the scene before zeroing on the two of us. "Efficient." She remarks, though I can hear the reluctance in her tone. She glances at Sora, then at me. "I suppose it would be pointless to argue over the details of who did what. The Black Armory will honor its contract. You'll all be compensated for the raid. Any Armory gear commandeered on site will be deducted from each Guardian's pay." She gives Sora a pointed look, and Sora sheepishly looks anywhere but at Ada.
Before anyone can say more, the rest of the raid team returns, Shayura at the forefront. Their sweep of the area seems complete, and the remaining Fallen forces have been dealt with. I notice Shayura's gaze lingering on me for a moment longer than I'd like, but she says nothing, simply nodding to Ada before stepping back with the others.
{Feat of Legend achieved! Pity point gain disabled. Congratulations on surviving your trial period! Activating achievement based point gain…
Met 'The Guardian' +50 points
Met 'Ada-1' +50 points
Rolling…
Domain - Jumper's School of Witchcraft & Wizardry - Wizarding World (600 points)
Roll Failed. Current stockpile: 400 Points.}
Can't say I'm happy to lose the passive point gain, but at least I can get a better grasp on how to gain more points now. Wonder why I didn't get anything for defeating Insurrection Prime though.
Ada crosses her arms drawing my attention back to the conversation. "Despite Mavriel handling most of the heavy lifting, everyone will be paid for their participation." She reiterates for those returning. Her eyes swivel back over to me. "And you. Since you handled the bulk of the threat, I'd be remiss not to ask if there's a particular reward you're interested in."
I blink, caught off guard by the question. I'd thought maybe I'd just be sent on my way with some glimmer and a pat on the back. I take a moment to consider her offer. Most people would probably ask for some rare weapon or armor piece, but there's something else I've been needing more than that.
"Not sure if the Black Armory deals in these-" I say slowly. "-But I've been looking for a decent jumpship. Doesn't need to be anything fancy. Just… functional."
Ada tilts her head, her optics narrowing slightly in consideration. "A jumpship?" She sounds surprised, almost as if she hadn't expected such a request.
I nod. "Yeah. After today, I figure it'd be useful to have something to get around a little easier."
Ada is silent for a moment, clearly weighing my request. Then she nods. "I believe that can be arranged."
"Coolio. That's all from me then." As Ada moves on to discuss rewards with the others, I shift my focus back to the battlefield. The smoldering remains of Siviks catches my eye. Among the charred remains, something glints; a faint, reddish-brown shine beneath the scorched furs. I step forward, nudging the remains aside with my boot to uncover what I suspected. Anarchy.
Anarchy is an interesting grenade launcher. Instead of functioning like a normal GL, it launches out sticky grenades that attach to nearly anything and form a web of damaging Arc energy between the grenades. Makes sense for Siviks to have it on him, I'm fairly certain it was his gun.
It's a bit scorched, but my gunsmith skills tell me it's all cosmetic damage. I lift the gun from the ash, my mind filling with the parts I'd need to perform the ammo ritual on it. Almost in a trance, I power walk over to the remains of Insurrection Prime, the other's eyes on me as their conversation trails off.
My hand plunges into a gap in the wreckage, feeling around for anything that might suit my needs. My fingers brush against something metallic and cool to the touch; a high quality Arc coil. Perfect. With a grunt, I tug it free and immediately start drawing a ritual circle on the concrete with a piece of chalk from my pack. The others' conversation quiets as they watch me work, but I barely notice. My focus is solely on the task at hand.
I place Anarchy and the coil in the circle, and then feel out my magicka reserves. Yeah, that's regenerated enough to cover it. My hand extends, and the words flow out of my mouth. "Lrasd ol lansh ol dluga mirc g gohed bagie!"
As soon as the words leave my lips, the circle lights up, draining the little magicka I have. A flash of light surrounds Anarchy, and when it fades, the grenade launcher is pristine once again, gleaming like new. Seems the ritual doubles as a cleaning spell too. Handy.
Without missing a beat, I lift the launcher and point it at the bisected spider tank from earlier. One shot. Then another. And another. I lose count after fifteen, but I'm satisfied that everything's in working order.
Sora is the first to break the stunned silence. "There's no way that thing holds that much ammo. What the hell did you do to it?"
I grin, puffing myself up a little. "When I said I was a Wizard, I meant it. Expending a bit of magical energy to fiddle with a weapon's individual causality is—" I pause, realizing I'm overcomplicating it. "Basically, I gave it infinite ammo. Here."
I toss Anarchy to Sora, who catches it easily. She inspects the weapon, her eyes wide behind her visor.
"Call it a thanks for saving my ass." I explain.
Could I have kept it? Of course, but this is a perfect opportunity to garner some goodwill with one of the strongest Lightbearers to ever exist. Besides, there are other weapons in the universe that suit me better.
"I'm drained now, but if anyone else wants a weapon similarly enhanced in the future, I can do it. Just not for the really Exotic stuff. Crazy weapons need crazy components for the ritual to function, and I just got lucky with the parts for that one." I gesture toward Anarchy, leaning on my sword again for support.
Judging by their body language, nearly everyone is interested. I think. They're all wearing helmets, so I could be wrong.
After some time, Ada returns from a cursory inspection of Vault Ebisu, giving me a slight nod. "I'll have your reward ready in a few days." She says. "There's no need to worry about the delay. I just need to make sure everything is in order with the vault."
I shrug. "No rush. I appreciate it."
She departs soon after, and I receive a few comms from Sora and some of the other Guardians as we exchange contact information. Honestly, though, I'm just relieved to escape the piercing gaze of Shayura. That woman scares the hell out of me.
Currently I find myself in the commercial section of the Botza District. I've climbed to the rooftop of the tallest structure, lying back as I gaze up at the Traveler in the distance.
{Rolling…
Destruction - CQC - Destiny: The Guardians (200 points)
Roll Success. Current stockpile: 400 Points.
Purchase CQC?}
CQC
When it comes to close range combat, you excel. Any damage done up close, whether from a melee, super, or even a gun, seems to be amplified. Where another would dent a chestplate with their fist, you shatter right through. It's as if you do twice the damage to any enemy within 2 meters of you. This effect tapers off to no bonus at 5 Meters.
It's not new magic, but I'd be an idiot not to take this to enhance my swordsmanship.
Yoink.
Anyways... "Hey Spectre… They all thought I was a Lightbearer, right?"
She levitates out of my backpack. "Hard to say. Ada has access to surveillance that will make it obvious you're not normal. Doesn't help that you go around calling yourself a Wizard and offering people infinite ammo."
I hum. Is what it is, I suppose. "So, hypothetically, what if I suddenly gain the ability to… Connect, to you. Like, making myself your bonded partner, with all the benefits. Would you be okay with that?"
"Mav, I literally made you armor out of the parts meant for my future Guardian. What do you think?" She sarcastically replies.
Moment of truth. "I gained that power after beating the mech earlier."
Silence. "... You're serious?"
I glance at her still frame. "Yeah. So, what do you think?"
She moves in front of me in growing excitement. "What are we waiting for?!"
I rise from the ground with a chuckle, a few satisfying pops escaping my body as I stretch. "Alright. Hold still, I'll need to touch you for this."
I gently wrap my fingers around Spectre's shell, willing myself to connect to the Light coursing from the Traveler above to my friend.
My world brightens as a vision takes over my senses.
In the vision, glowing leaves fall from the towering branches of a colossal white tree, gently drifting down to the world below. Some land on animals scattered across the land, imbuing them with the tree's light. Most, however, settle upon the ground, their brightness fading with time. Occasionally, a soft wind stirs, lifting a leaf and guiding it toward a different creature, but even then, many dim entirely before finding a new resting place.
Through the clouds, a gray owl descends, its silent wings carrying it to the shelter of the tree's vast limbs. One of the dimming leaves, caught in the breeze, brushes against the owl's feathers, snagging in its plumage. The owl makes a halfhearted effort to dislodge it, but ultimately allows the fading leaf to nestle in its gray feathers, the faint glow barely noticeable.
Suddenly, the peace of the scene is shattered by the arrival of an army of insects, their forms unnatural and malevolent. They surge toward the tree, seeking to corrupt or destroy all that lies beneath its shade. The owl's talons ignite with fire and moonlight as it rises to defend the sacred ground, launching into battle with fierce resolve. It strikes down as many of the creatures as it can, its every movement a blend of graceful fury and glowing power.
Yet, as the battle wages on, the leader of the beasts, a mantis larger and more formidable than the insects, brings the owl to the brink of defeat.
Just as hope seems lost, a wolf appears, its body aglow with the radiant light of the tree. It charges forward, slaying the mantis with a swipe of its paw, and sending the insects scattering in fear.
The weary owl returns to rest beneath the white tree. For a moment, it gazes upward at the branches, then, with newfound strength, it spreads its wings and takes flight, ascending to the tree's lofty limbs. There, the leaf embedded in its feathers brightens, its glow renewed. The owl stands tall, its presence now radiant.
The vision blurs, shifting into fractured images. The owl takes flight again, soaring toward a distant, rocky beach. There, it encounters a great spider, its many legs twitching in greed, commanding swarms of smaller insects. The owl regards the spider for a moment, before flying onward, its search continuing.
It seeks a white crow.
The images fracture further; a glimpse of a vulture's skull, emanating a bottomless hunger. White feathers, scattered in a trail, leading to a broken branch of the great white tree. The owl and the white crow flying together, their path leading toward the moon.
Suddenly, foreign knowledge suffuses my brain. Entropic forces, the weft of graviton waves, and the pull of collapsing stars. A gift, from a grateful tree of light. Gratitude for defending those sheltered beneath its limbs, and sadness for the burden I take upon my shoulders in connecting myself to the Light.
In this moment, with the connection waning, I can feel it desperately trying to articulate something else, a warning. The knife that strives to force its purpose upon the universe comes…
The vision ends.
I shelve thoughts of the vision for now, instead turning my mind to the Light surging through me, ready to be unleashed. I stretch my hand out, and it starts to glow with a pure, warm light, not yet tied to any element. For now, it's just potential, waiting.
Spectre hovers close, her eye wide and shimmering with excitement. She spins in a tight circle. "I can feel it!" She exclaims, her voice vibrating with sheer joy. "The connection; it's exactly how the other Ghosts described it!" Her glow intensifies as she flits around, like she's soaking up every ounce of energy my hand emanates.
I focus, feeling the potential forming in my mind. Slowly, instinctively, my thoughts shift toward the Void: the space between atoms, the cold, relentless hunger of the vacuum. The Light in my hand starts to shift, taking on a deep, purple hue that seems to devour the air around it.
Spectre watches in wonder as I weave my other hand around the hungry, dark energy, coaxing it into shape. It pulses and writhes, a mass of mighty nothingness, cold and lethal. I press forward, guiding the energy into a tight orb, then thrust both arms outward, aiming at an old, rusted AC unit a few feet away.
The Pocket Singularity rockets forward, cutting through the air before it collides with the unit, and with a low hum, a watermelon-sized chunk of metal is simply... gone. Atomized, vanished into the Void. The scrap around the gouge pulses with Volatile energy, waiting to be destabilized.
{Connected to the Light +50 points
Wielded Void Light +50 points
Rolling…
Control - Skeletal Reindeer - The Nightmare Before Christmas (100 points)
Roll Success. Current stockpile: 300 Points.
Purchase Skeletal Reindeer?}
Skeletal Reindeer
Up to eight skeletal reindeer, each capable of flight and with a good sense of direction. You can ride them, use them to hold a sleigh aloft or just use them to ruin children's Christmases.
I don't really feel this one is worth the points, not when I'm already close to receiving a Jumpship. I reject the perk, letting my thoughts return to the present.
Spectre's awe turns into exhilaration. "I didn't know you could wield it that fast!" She circles around the spot where the unit now sits hollowed-out, radiating pride and excitement. I just smile, hands still tingling with lingering nothingness.
"I think the Traveler gave me a quick primer on Void when I formed the connection. There was a vision too, of the way it saw me I think. Fragments of what it wants me to do as well." My eyes remain focused on the Volatile energy slowly leaking out of the damaged AC unit. It takes about 10 seconds for the energy to fizzle out harmlessly.
"Visions? I've heard of people getting those in the time after the Collapse. Normally they're cryptic, difficult to comprehend." She tamps down on her excitement to listen.
"I think I understand most of it. I believe the Traveler wants me to go to the Reef, in search of a newly risen Guardian." I probably wouldn't have understood the vision so well without my metaknowledge.
"Could you tell me more about the vision?" She asks, and I nod, before I begin recounting the information to her.
The soft hum of a cozy café fills the space as Micah-10 sits across from me, fingers tapping rhythmically against her mug. We're mid-conversation, the quiet bustling around us a comforting background.
"I'm sorry for calling you out here only to not need help after all." I say, feeling a bit sheepish. "Thanks to our contribution to the raid, we'll be swinging by the Tower later to pick up a ship from Ada-1."
She laughs, her shoulders relaxed as she waves it off. "No worries. I had to stop by the city for supplies anyway." There's a brief pause, then her mechanical expression shifts, a bit awkward as she clears her throat. "About what happened during the Fallen incursion… I'm sorry it ended up that way, but I'm glad things worked out. Spectre couldn't have found a better partner."
I nod, offering her a smile, playing along even though there's more to my story than she knows. She's probably one of the only ones who knows I wasn't a Lightbearer before the invasion, so she naturally assumes that I died and Spectre revived me. It's probably for the best if she continues to believe that.
There are other reasons I decided to meet up with her though. As one of the rare few who's received visions from the Traveler, she might understand mine better than anyone. So, I decide to share, briefly, the vision that's been lingering at the edges of my mind, the images the Traveler showed me.
Micah listens closely, her gaze intense, absorbing every word. When I finish, she nods thoughtfully. "The Traveler wouldn't show you something like that without a purpose. If it's guiding you to the Reef, then you need to follow that guidance. Simple as that."
Not the most groundbreaking advice, but I suppose it only reinforces my decision. "Thanks."
She smiles, her optics warm, and we ease back into casual conversation.
I stand under the sleek frame of my new Jumpship, the Platinum Starling, its black and red alloy gleaming in the soft hangar light. It's almost surreal, standing here in front of something so refined, so well-crafted. The ship feels powerful even at rest, radiating strength like it was built for the harshest battles in the system. Seems quite a bit bigger than the ones shown in the game as well.
"When I asked for a Jumpship, I wasn't expecting something this good." I murmur, glancing at Ada-1. The Exo stands with her arms crossed, watching me with that measured gaze of hers.
"It wasn't exactly a typical request." She replies, a hint of amusement flickering in her optics. "Most ask for weapons, armor, enhancements. Ships are a... different affair. But given what you managed, it felt fitting."
I shake my head, almost chuckling. "If that's the standard for getting a ship, I might have to pick fights with all of the Black Armory's enemies." The words come out lighthearted, but I feel the weight of her gaze.
"Don't be reckless with it." Ada warns, voice steady. "The Platinum Starling is more than capable of getting you to where you need to go, but I'll be quite upset if your actions lead to its destruction."
"Got it." I reply, a little more serious. "I'll treat it right."
The bay doors open, and Sora strides in, her gait as relaxed as ever. Her golden helmet reflects the ship's glinting hull, and even though I can't see her face, I can tell she's impressed.
"Well, well." she says, looking over the ship. "Didn't expect something this nice. That'll get you from point A to point B with style." She raises her hands and frames the ship between them, like a painting. "I'm jealous."
"Should have soloed an army." I cheekily reply.
Ada gives a small, approving nod. "Your accounts are settled, and I've transferred the necessary manuals to your Ghost. Keep in mind, some of the systems might require calibration in the field."
"Noted." I say, my eyes still fixed on the ship. "This has been way better than I imagined. Thank you, Ada."
"Thank me by not letting it rust." She regards me for a moment longer, then gives Sora a nod before leaving the bay, her steps fading as she retreats into the shadows.
Sora whistles low once Ada's out of earshot. "She might not say it, but she likes you. Not everyone gets this kind of reward from her."
"Guess she can sense quality." I quip, running a hand along the ship's hull one last time before turning back to Sora. "Think you'd be up for some field testing? I'm a bit new to this jumpship stuff, so an experienced pilot might be best for its maiden voyage."
Sora crosses her arms, her helmet tilting as if she's sizing me up. "Careful what you ask for. If I'm going to fly this baby, I'm putting her through all the paces."
I can't help but grin. "I can take it."
{Met 'Micah-10' +50 points
Rolling…
Source - Born from Eternity - Thor: Love and Thunder (400 points)
Roll Failed. Current stockpile: 350 Points.}
Half an hour later, the Platinum Starling hurtles through the skies, twisting and banking at breakneck speeds as Sora pushes the ship to its absolute limits. Alarms blare in the cockpit as she tests every maneuver possible, looping through tight turns and even managing a few unauthorized aerial acrobatics that air control will undoubtedly have opinions about. I'm gripping my armrests, heart racing, trying not to glance too much at the flashing warning lights.
As we finally settle back in the hangar, I realize I'm still catching my breath, adrenaline still pulsing through me. Air control chimes in over comms with a very stern message about unauthorized maneuvers. I let out a shaky laugh, realizing that maybe letting Sora take the controls was, in fact, a massive mistake.
Sora leans back in her seat, clearly pleased, and glances over at me. "She flies like a dream." She says, giving the console an affectionate pat.
I take a moment to calm down before replying. "Never. Again."
She just laughs in response.
CHAPTER 6 END
AN: I'm on vacation visiting friends right now, which slowed down my writing a bit.
Kinda funny that Mav rolled a perk from the Destiny Jumpdoc I made, and it's the least wizardly perk in the entire thing. I should probably update that thing at some point, it's way out of date.