The Crystal Desert

Abraham woke up earlier than he wanted to. He couldn't really sleep properly. He shuffled around his bed and then gave up trying to sleep. He placed his hands behind his head and was left in his thoughts.

'Eighty pulse…' His lips curled upwards.

'Some people don't even get one pulse… and I'm here with eighty.'

He sat up and opened his panel.

[Name: Abraham]

[Age: 20]

[Pulse: 80]

[Attribute: Combat]

[Trait: ???]

[Titles: —]

[Equipment: Rusty Knife, Daylight, Venomous Infliction, Medallion of The Sun, Desert Prowler Set, Blades of The Sun]

Another message appeared below it.

[50 Pulse Reward: Unclaimed]

'Wha—'

He inspected it.

[Claim 50 Pulse Reward?]

"Hell yeah." Abraham said eagerly.

[Consumable Received: Blood Apple]

Abraham immediately summoned it and inspected its description.

[Consumable Blood Apple: "Once an ordinary fruit, this apple was held by the Maiden of War herself. With no reason given, she slit her wrist and let her blood soak its flesh. What remained was no longer food—it was history preserved in skin and pulp. To consume it is to inherit a memory of war."]

"Sounds harmless enough." Abraham observed it, moving it around his hand. He stared at its deep red skin.

[Consume Blood Apple?]

Abraham paused for a moment. 'The system is meant to have your best interests at heart…. I think.'

He sat on his bed, frozen in place with the apple in his hands.

"Fuck it, yeah, I want to consume it."

The apple turned into crimson sparks of light which flew into his mouth.

A sudden warm sensation filled his body. It was a strangely comforting sensation. Abraham instinctively stretched, enhancing the feeling even further. As suddenly as it had appeared, it disappeared.

[Trait Unlocked: Oppressive]

[Physical + Mental Stats Enhanced]

Abraham's jaw dropped. 'A trait… BEFORE awakening as an ignited??'

His smile grew even more.

He inspected the trait's description.

[Oppressive: "There are those who inspire. And there are those who suffocate. Your presence weighs heavier than it should—not through charisma, but through pressure. The weak feel it in their bones. The strong feel it in their minds."]

[Passives:] Your presence can provide a heavy weight on the shoulders of people around you. (Scales with rank and emotion) 

He stared at all his stats again.

[Name: Abraham]

[Rank: Dormant]

[Age: 20]

[Pulse: 130]

[Attribute: Combat]

[Trait: Oppressive]

[Titles: —]

[Equipment: Rusty Knife, Daylight, Venomous Infliction, Medallion of The Sun, Desert Prowler Set, Blades of The Sun]

Abraham closed his panel and allowed himself to relax for a moment. All of this didn't just come from slacking around after all, so this was a rest well earnt.

He didn't get to relax for another five seconds until Kassi kicked his door down.

"Hey idiot we're here!!" She suddenly froze in place, eyes widening.

"Uh.. Abraham.. Is something up?"

Abraham's smile didn't fade, but his eyes sharpened slightly. "Nothing at all, you okay?"

The room stayed quiet for a few moments. Kassi then blinked and shook it off.

"You, uh… feel kinda different, that's all."

Abraham's expression remained the same. "Different how?"

There was weight in the room now. Like the air had thickened—just from him being awake.

"Dunno. It's like—nevermind." She wiped her forehead. "Anyways we've arrived at the crystal desert. Come on out."

Abraham got up slowly and walked out into the light with Kassi leading ahead.

The rest of the crew outside paused as Abraham walked out. They had been busy preparing the ship to anchor down.

Xander turned to Abraham. "Someone looks like they had a good day's rest."

Leon, atop the mast, shuddered slightly. 'Must be the cold. Wait a minute we're by a desert…'

Solara, Alvira and Baron walked up to Abraham. 

Baron smirked seeing Abraham. "Welcome to the Crystal Desert!"

Abraham let out a sharp smile back, causing Baron to shiver slightly down the spine.

Solara and Alvira stared at Abraham as if they were staring at a complete stranger.

Kassi looked at the group and then back at Abraham. "Is NO ONE going to question why it feels so—I don't know WEIRD right now."

Baron tugged on his collar. "Maybe it's just too hot."

Starrk suddenly appeared, from behind. "Ah! Young Abraham, you're finally awake."

He picked him up in a big hug, seemingly unaffected by Abraham's new trait. 'Figures. He is a resonant after all.'

"So uh, we're here now. Feels weird. It's like I was at the village just yesterday."

Solara smiled.

Baron looked back over at Abraham, hiding the fact that he still feels uneasy. "So uh, the plan is you, Solara and Starrk are going to travel across the Crystal Desert to the other side."

He paused to allow them to absorb that piece of information in.

"We're gonna sail around the desert and meet you on the other side. From there we'll head through the dark sea."

Abraham stared at Baron in disbelief. "So, in other words, you're taking the safe route while the three of us are travelling through hell? Great. Mind I ask why we aren't coming along?"

Baron's eyes started sparkling. "Well, as you may already know, we're pirates. And this taxi ain't free. So, I want you to find us some beautiful crystals! As payment, of course."

'This is the last time I'm trusting pirates.'

Baron decided to add: "Besides, what's the worst that could happen? You have Starrk—a literal resonant to help you."

A few goodbyes followed after the conversation. Alvira even cried slightly. Abraham, Solara, and Starrk now stood on the shore of the crystal desert and watched as the Killer-Whale began setting sail.

"Well. Guess it's just us three now, huh." Abraham remarked.

"Yup." Solara added, awkwardly.

Starrk stared at the two of them. "Can't be too bad. It's our first adventure together in uncharted territory."

Abraham chuckled. "Yeah… I suppose it is."