Heavens End
Blood trailed loosely from the wrist down my fingers onto the cool yet elegant hilt of Laevatein, ebbing onto the blade's edge, slowly making its way down to the pool of limbs sprawled around the grass.
Death had loomed over this battlefield, taking no prisoners, leaving only a coldness within my chest that seeped into every part of me.
I had done this.
"Status."
[Name: Izalith Snow (Sealed)]
Abyssal Qi N/A
Cultivation: N/A
Str: 18
Dex: 18
Con: 18
Int: 24
[Arcane: 20]
[Objective: Extermination]
-Kill fifty Goblins [48/50]
A smile threatened to climb its way to my lips but fell short as my gaze lingered over the battlefield, stained a blanket of red. Goblins usually traveled in groups, making it easy to track, but I couldn't be proud of this.
Could I? This was an absolute slaughter. They could bearly defend themselves as I tore away at them.
"My god, you need to loosen up!" Lily moaned begrudgingly.
"They are living creatures," I said in response.
"Tsk."
My eyes rolled, and I did smile. I can't help it. This power coursing through me, fueling my mind and body, was intoxicating. Gods, I loved it. While it was tragic: I had to kill. I had to slaughter. To achieve this power. I—
I didn't regret it.
Closing the systems status menu with an inwards command, I moved to sheath my blade when my eyes darted towards the bushes, where the muffled sounds of rapids breathing seemed to reside. The smile on my lips deepened.
I darted, speeding towards the bushes without the slightest hesitation. Laevatein swept through the muffled sounds, ending what creature may be hidden, leaving only the lingering scent of blood and the pooling of red around my boot.
[DING!]
[2 Goblins Felled: 10 Ether Acquired]
[DING!]
[Madness] Lv1→Lv2
-???
[DING]
[Objective: Extermination] - Mission Complete
-Kill fifty Goblins [50/50]
-Awarded: Heavens End Cultivation Manual.
[Ding]
[Heavens End] Lv1
Rarity: F
- 10 Ether per Hour
-Description: The Laws of Heaven and Earth are but a single lie! We shall not pillage the skies nor the Earth. For it is only by Heaven's End shall we rise. It is only by Destruction of Laws shall chaos reign Supreme!
My heart fluttered with joy, enjoying the odd feeling of strings of information pouring into my mind. It wasn't much, but it was interesting, as it spoke of breathing patterns, mindsets, Ether, and various other things. Yet, for some damn reason, there was no list of levels or stages.
I was still confused over the rarity, which didn't make sense with such a description, and I couldn't figure out what the Arcane stat did for me. Lily had been useless aside from making snipe comments. She knew as much as I did. But I knew it was only a matter of time before I learned of it.
Sheathing Laevatein, I quickly made my way back towards the oasis to enjoy another mouthful of spring water. I wasn't sure if it was my location, but the temperature rose by the hour, and I was soaking in my boots. My uniform was clinging to my damp skin, making it difficult to get comfortable.
"Hurry it up, Tomas," A strong, toned voice commanded, with a thick accent I'd never heard. It wasn't light on the ear, as it sounded metallic and harsh.
"Yes, Sir," came the response of a squeamish voice that made me think of a child. My pace picked up till I had a clear view of the oasis, of a man, and boy no more than five, maybe less, carrying a bucket the size of him. While the man stood tall, with large muscles bulging from the tunic that looked to barely contain him. He'd seem to be older than most, probably around his mid-thirties, but his face was harsh, and his eyes stern. His hair was a deep brown that matched the boy below.
Probably father and Son, by the look of it. Their cheekbones are a dead giveaway.
Tomas grumbled, gripping a wooden pail about half his size. He scooped it through the oasis, filling the bucket, and pulled it out with a strained red face. Struggling to hold his grip, he hastily lowered the bucket and lifted his gaze to meet his fathers, looking for approval.
"Don't look at me like that," The father said, unable to resist a smile, " you got another one. Come on. You got this."
Sensing no dangers from these two, I made myself known, startling the father, who was quick to unsheath the dagger he hid within his tunic.
"Who goes there!" He shouted, holding the dagger in a reverse grip.
I held my hands high, showing I meant no harm, and stepped out, revealing my masked self.
"Forgive my intrusion. I meant no harm," I explained, noticing the wary glare. "I'm a little lost, is all."
"A woman?" He said, lowering his dagger by a little. "Who are you?"
"Izalith Snow."
His eyes narrowed, and he stared down at Laevatein hanging at my waist alongside my bloodstained clothing. Somewhat embarrassed, I revealed a half-smile.
"Goblins," I revealed, understanding the trepidation, and his blade lowered a little more.
"Are you normally so on guard?" I couldn't help but ask.
"When a bloodstained woman appears beside my little boy and me, you bet your ass I am." He curtly said as a matter of fact. " Name is Relvor. The little guy here is Tomas."
"I'm not little!" Tomos Interjected, peeking his head out from behind his father's overly large legs.
"Shut it, ya little brat." He snapped, flicking his little head, and he returned his gaze to me. "You an Empyrean?" he asked" It's ok if you are. We don't wish for trouble. We are only getting water for the forge."
My gaze narrowed as I heard a few unfamiliar terms.
"Empyrean," I said as a question. "Sorry, I'm a bit unfamiliar with pretty much everything. I'm kind of new."
Relvor's expression dipped into surprise, " Surely you have heard of Empyreans? I can feel the Mystic energy reeling around you." He paused, and recognition skimmed over his dark eyes. " Ah! You're a Seeker. No wonder! Did you just return from a voyage?"
My heart sank, and I was grateful most of my features were hidden beneath a mask, or Relvor would have seen my discontent.
I nodded yes, and the smile over Relvors lips rose; he sheathed his dagger back into the folds of his tunic and bowed.
"Marvelous! It seems not all your memories have returned. It matters not. Allow me to fill in the blanks, milady. Can—" hesitation appeared, "Can I see your medallion?"
Thoughts racing, my palm stretched for Laeviten, and Relvor's expression tightened, but before he could speak. Laeviten flashed, taking the shape of an eight-pointed black star. I was a bit concerned that the color hadn't changed, but seeing the spark of surprise and relief over Relvor, I knew I had succeeded.
A mischievous smile I usually reserved for toying with Crowe arose. "Tell me about Emperyeans. Tell me everything, you know."