[Beastborne: Tower of Blight] Chapter 47

It was hard to tell where the Manatree ended and Hal began.

For that matter, it was hard to tell where the Shard ended and Hal began. He felt so in tune with the Shard that from time to time, he glimpsed gorgeous streamers of light twisting through the air like watercolors brushed across the world.

Instinctively, he knew they were streams of both mana and aether.

The Manatree shone like a lighthouse beacon, pulsing with a steady even light, but still Hal could detect it was far from healed.

Like him, the Manatree had improved greatly from the ordeal, coming out stronger and much more resilient.

There was no mistaking its progress. While not as subtle as Hal’s, he felt that the Manatree grew less than he did.

Did I really turn into a Dragon? Hal found himself wondering.

The Manatree responded with its view of Hal in his form of gold and silver-white. He looked terrifying, but the Manatree only held the utmost fondness for that visage.

As much as Hal wanted to see if he could do it again, he doubted he had the Spirit for it. Then he remembered he had acquired a new Rank.

That must be why my Spirit feels so low.

The difference between Copper and Tin was night and day. He had figured it would be like getting a few Levels. Maybe even 10 at once.

It was closer to the difference between a Level 5 Beastborne and a Level 40.

In other words: staggeringly more powerful.

Hal had thought the dragons were playing with him, teasing him about how he was able to do so much with just a Copper Monster Core.

Now that it was Tin, Hal could feel that the meager pool of Spirit he had at his disposal already dwarfed the most he could hold at the height of Copper.

“These appeared around you while you were out,” Noth told him, holding up a small scrap of cloth with a few items strewn about. “I’m not sure if you remember, but Vorax was only able to save your sword before you… well, you know.”

Hal took the items and looked them over. There was a pale white fragment. It was smooth like bone but uncomfortably warm, as if it were alive somehow.

A deep-seated hatred filled his heart as he looked at it. The fractured symbol engraved on both sides of the piece was hard to make out, but he knew that if he saw it, he would recognize it somehow.

Like an old enemy he had forgotten.

[Shadesblight Seal Fragment]

A piece of the Shadesblight’s essence that guards its Ancestral Halls, an accursed place few living souls on Aldim have seen in many Ages. Collecting enough of these profane seals will grant access to the Ancestral Halls, where the Shadesblight’s foul power resides.

Hal fingered the seal fragment. He wanted to stomp on it. To destroy it with everything he had, but he knew that would do no good.

Even if he could destroy it, what would the point be?

His goal hadn’t changed. He was going to track down the Shadesblight and rip out its very roots like a poisoned plant. And now he had the first piece of that puzzle that would let him finally kill the Shadesblight.

I’m coming, Hal promised it, tucking the fragment away. We’re not done yet.

His eyes were instantly drawn to the next item. A beautiful ring with a jewel that looked like a bead of dew frozen in time. Hal could swear it jiggled when he moved it back and forth, but touching it felt as solid as glass.

Manatree Dew Ring

[Ring] (Fabled)

Item Level: 99

DEF: 1

MDEF: 89

+10 Dark Resistance

+1,000 HP

+7 AGI

+10 CHR

DUR: 700/700

Sockets: 2

Lv. 40 All Classes

Hal had to reread it a few times to make sure he wasn’t mistaken.

That’s a lot of HP.

That wasn’t the only piece of new loot Hal was given.

Hermes held out what at first seemed like a piece of junk, but actually was a ring crafted from hammered together scrap metal. “Made this for ya, Warden, from some old pieces of jewelry people out-Leveled. Putting ‘em together made it stronger with my Tinkering Skill.” The oppa looked around skittishly. “Thought ya might like it, on account of all your stuff blowing up.”

Hal took it like it was the most precious thing in the world.

It was, to Hal.

Both items were more than proper replacements for the rings he lost. The meager bonuses to HP and MP they had offered were nothing compared to either new ring, though it was clear which ring was more powerful.

Hal quietly thanked the Manatree, then slipped both rings on his fingers.

Brass Scrap Ring

[Ring] (Heroic)

Item Level: 74

DEF: 30

MDEF: 30

+5 Lightning Resistance

+7 STR

+7 INT

DUR: 400/500

Sockets: 1

Lv. 35 All Classes

The oppa shuffled his paws. “Didn’t know you’d get a Quest reward like that [Manatree Dew Ring]. Obviously, mine ain’t as good as what that tree can offer, but… hopefully you can still use it.”

In one smooth motion, Hal scooped up Hermes and hugged him tightly to his face. “I love it, Hermes. Thank you. I’ll never take it off.”

The oppa gasped and hid his muzzle in Hal’s neck, dooking excitedly as only an oppa could.

“Seriously, Hermes, it’s amazing you could make something like this! I love it.”

“Blubbers!” Hermes cried out, like it was some ancient curse upon the gods themselves.

Holding him close, Hal walked up to the Manatree and put a hand onto its smooth golden-brown bark. “Thank you, as well.”

Noth put her fists on her hips and snorted. “What am I then? Just a pretty face?”

“Of course not,” Hal told her. He motioned for her to come closer. “You are as much a part of this as I am. Place your hand here.”

Noth’s eyes widened as she felt her connection to the Manatree increase dramatically. “I can… hear it,” she said with awe.

Hal introduced them again, just in case the Manatree was confused. A lot of things had happened recently and Hal wouldn’t have been surprised if the Manatree forgot about Noth.

As it turned out, the Manatree had a better memory than Hal.

They conversed as if they were old friends in the manner of monsters and creatures of magic. No words were spoken, only flashes of images back and forth.

The reunion did Hal’s soul some good.

Hal turned to the completed Quest. A Quest he originally thought that Dream had sent herself just to mess with him.

He had never gotten such a rude Quest before.

Kindred Quest Complete: Go The Flork To Sleep

Congrats.

You successfully didn’t die. And the cascading effect of your actions has saved many more. Perhaps Brightsong will endure the coming calamity under your guidance. Hint: Might want to pick up a health shielding Beast Magic spell.

Objectives

●       Sleep for 4 hours or more. (Completed).

●       Heal the Manatree. (Completed).

●       Don’t die from bullheaded recklessness. (Completed).

●       Don’t abandon your soul aeder, mimic and soulbonded partner. (Completed).

●       Don’t abandon yourself from another reality who is relying on you to heal her Beastborne’s Monster Core. (Completed).

●       Don’t abandon your Worldshard because you “just want one more hour adventuring, Mom!” (Completed).

Bonus objectives

●       Sleep for 8 hours or more. (Completed).

●       Cycle within the Manatree’s Glade. (Completed).

●       Teach your Manatree how to channel Spirit. (Completed).

Rewards

●       Variable Experience and Sparks.

●       Monster Core Progression.

●       Variable Manatree Experience.

Well, I did it, Hal said, looking up at the golden dawn-lit sky. I don’t recall doing the latter two of those bonus objectives, but who am I to judge?

Clearly, the Monster Core Progress had pushed him over the edge. A quick look over his prompts showed he gained a Level of Beastborne for his troubles, putting him at 47.

His 5 points were put into Charisma, raising it to 80.

He had been easing off MND since he gained the 3rd Level of Essence Counter+ at 45 Beastborne, which gave him an 8% MP reduction for properly utilized beast magic spells.

Then Hal’s thoughts slammed on the brakes. Hold on, there’s health shielding beast magic? Where the flork can I find that? He had no idea. It would haunt him the rest of his days if he never found out.

Hal sat down, placed Hermes in his lap, and folded his legs beneath himself. With his back resting against the Manatree’s massive new trunk, Hal began to cycle like the dragons had taught him. With the knuckles of one fist interlocked with the other, Hal sent a powerful torrent through his Core and out into each limb, then back again.

He was joined, a moment later, by the Manatree adding its deep wellspring of power to Hal’s. They cycled as one, drawing in the deep hidden reserves of the Shiverglades into themselves.

“Warden Noth,” he heard Hermes say in a rather respectful tone. “Are you suppressing your Spirit?”

Noth sat down across from Hal and looked fondly at him. “No, Hermes. I don’t have Spirit. Aldim is… too weak for that.” She looked up at Hal. “I do not know how he does it.”

“Whut.”

“Soul aeder are, obviously, different creatures,” Noth continued. “They carry some of the Dawnshards’ light with them wherever they go. That is why not all Worldshards can support them.”

“Mate, that’s a bonza willy wonker’s dungeree doonga if I ever heard one.”

“What?”

“Nevermind all that! We’ll get your Spirit back. Somehow. Probably.”

“I would need a Core for that,” Noth told him. “Alas.” She shrugged, empty-handed.

“Don’t be so pessimistic! If Hal has one, so can you, mate.”

“Hal also made friends with a beastly creature that lived inside his mind and soul, one that could have–and tried to on many occasions–killed him and taken his body over. He befriended that thing, and when it came time to part ways, he set it free.” Noth shook her head good-naturedly. “I appreciate the compliment, but I am not like Hal.”

“Da heckin’ bleck has my Warden gone through?” Hermes said, bewildered.

Noth sighed. She reached out and stroked Hal’s cheek. Hal grinned to himself and felt Noth’s breath catch.

“Too much,” she said, pulling her hand away. “Come prisoner, let’s get some food so our Warden can recover his strength.”

“Now we’re talkin’!”

Hal listened to them talk while they went, until it was just himself, the Manatree, and Vorax somewhere off to his left.

As much as Hal was coming to love Hermes, he always had a soft spot for Vorax. The mimic was a stalwart ally that, due to the natural inclinations of his race, preferred to sit still for long stretches of time.

He was the perfect partner if you were introverted and shy, though Hal didn’t know the latter still applied. He still felt like he was, but that wasn’t the same as being shy.

His introversion had hit all-time highs after becoming the Founder of Brightsong. Right now, with two silent friends beside him, Hal felt like he could finally recharge.

The companionable silence made Besal’s loss easier to bear. Time was slowly closing that wound, but he still held out hope he would see his old friend again soon.

Keeping his eyes shut, Hal cycled and looked over his gains from the many Tower runs, the battle to save the Manatree, and his Quest.

[STATUS]

Hal Williams

Level: 85

Discordant Stone: 8,000/55,000

Strain: 0/100

Wyrd: 0/100

BP: 0/47

Classes

Novice: 10

Beastborne: 47

Oathforger: 14

Osseochemist: 14

Resources

HP: 1,415 (+1,000)

SP: 990

MP: 2,980

Attributes

STR: 20 (+7)

VIT: 90 (+22)

DEX: 20

AGI: 20 (+7)

INT: 97 (+18)

MND: 105 (+22)

CHR: 80 (+49)

Monster Core (Tin II)

The nascent gold-black spirit of a Beastborne that defied death thrice, reforged with the indelible mark of Dream.

Evolutions

Spirit Capacity (Tin IV) | Essence Splicing (Tin III)

Beast Magic Scaling (Tin II) | Osseochemy Synergy (Tin II)

Aetherochemical Apotheosis (Tin II)

Progress

Next Tier: 44%

Mutagen: 76%

Rank: 19%

His Monster Core’s progress was something to be admired. Not only had its Rank increased, but it was already nearly halfway to whatever the next Rank was. All of his evolutions had gone up to Tin as well, some more than others.

He could feel the stark difference between his old Spirit Capacity and his new one.

Like a bucket versus an Olympic swimming pool, Hal thought to himself. Even working with the Manatree to draw as much Spirit into themselves, Hal’s Core was filling at a glacial pace.

But what was perhaps even more pleasing, was that his Beastborne’s Burden Points now seemed to match his Level. Each Level was harder to get than the last, but he did miss having them grow by leaps and bounds.

It felt odd not having any beast magic spells set, but he guessed after advancing to Tin, they had been forcibly removed as his body was reforged. For now, Hal let them. Every Level he gained of Beastborne meant less downtime between setting a spell and being able to use it.

What was once nearly a day-long restriction had been reduced to a quarter of an hour if he was only setting a spell or two. The more he set, the longer it would take.

His Oathforger Class Trait, Regal Bearing, was pushing his CHR even higher. On top of improving his base Persuasion, Intimidation, and Deception success chance, Regal Bearing increased his base CHR by 35%. That bonus showed up under the additional stats that usually was allotted for gear.

Hal redoubled his efforts, tapping into his whiteflame Dragonfire to bolster his cycling. Time stretched like taffy, and before he knew it, Noth and Hermes had returned.

And as much as Hal had become connected to the world, he was even more connected to his stomach at that moment. He didn’t know who had found that massive slab of meat that looked like a whole Christmas ham, but Hal could have kissed them.