FVN Chapter 309: Chapter XXXV: Freedom And Chains
Chapter 309: Chapter XXXV: Freedom And Chains
Chapter 309: Chapter XXXV: Freedom And Chains
As I was whooshing about on my newfound... spiritual extension? Limbs? I had no bloody idea! Anyway, as I was doing that I failed to notice myself cackling like a complete madman and soon ascending higher and higher up into the skies following the impulse of just how quick I could go.
I do not know how how long it took me but as I burst through the clouds covering the skies, exactly at the moment the distant sun was setting I couldn't help but just float in the spot there and gawk at the beauty of it all.
Then I burned it into my mind and promised myself I was going to immortalize the sight properly for once whether it was the last bloody thing I did.
Still, I could only appreciate a good view for so long and soon my mind drifted to that ephemeral feeling of absolute freedom people usually mentioned came with the act of flying, or at least depicted it as such. Honestly I thought it to be drivel initially, the usual metaphorical representation of something one would never have in truth, even if they could emulate it with machines and whatnot...
But as I floated there, enjoying the thin air that thickened just as I thought it to be such, Kyne really was such a nice god creature, I had to admit I held a bit of envy toward Scorch's burned
ass...
'Oi pot!' He calls out with a grin 'Finally realized my inherent superiority over you featherless n'wahs?'
'Fuck off, kettle.' I roll my eyes and focus back on the present.
What Shalazar had given me was not an immediate force multiplier like one might initially imagine, but it had the potential to be such as it was an entirely new skillset I could dive into. Essentially beside Magicka I was now capable of manipulating my own essence to an extent, not changing it for that would be ridiculous and ridiculously dangerous, but focusing my inherent affinities into actionable effects should not be that hard to achieve, if the wings were any indication.
And after that... well who knew what I would be able to achieve?
Lazily, I skimmed the usually slumbering system to see if it had anything to add, I generally avoided staring at it too often as I quite frankly didn't truly need it to get a feel for my power in a precise manner anymore, but seeing numbers go brrr was fun from time to time.
First came the usual stat growth, the only real push to which came from my escapade in Dawnstar.
[STR: 43=> 46]
[DEX: 48 => 50]
[VIT: 67 =>70]
[Mind: 69 => 71]
[MAG: 1500 => 1560(4060)]
The increase wasn't exponential this time but I guessed that is what came with being so strong already, still made me grumble a bit but it made sense, I was already ridiculously powerful for a Dunmer barely into his adult life and was honestly more than satisfied by that. After the statistics came the true treat and the reason I even bothered looking at this. [Mysticism Expert => Mysticism Master]
[Trait gained: A Free Animus => Shrouded Animus: Forever freed from the weakness of the flesh, your soul is now capable of acting on its own, its potence dependent only on your will and the metaphysical weight of your person while your affinities shape its form.
Your animus in particular is guarded by the mighty shroud wrapped around it, and is thus almost impossible to damage and destroy without tools of immense potency]
Not a particularly exact description, I noted with mild exasperation, but at this point I was glad for it not taking away my fun. Fucking about with my soul and literally whacking people with it was something I was eager to discover on my own, and what with the ideas floating through my head I wouldn't be surprised if people considered this thing a school of magic in its own right.
Also, the little fact I had in practice advanced the vaunted Psijik Endeavor, as ordained by the Good Daedra, had an effect as well.
[Dunmer Paragon => Greater Dunmer Paragon]
While I was stuck in my musings, and playing around with the shadowy sheen barely hidden around my body, the sun had long since set and left me in the light of the stars. Realizing that playtime was over I sighed in contentment and simply let myself start falling, only drifting slightly so I could hit the college and not fall into the sea like an idiot.
Thank fuck for familiars being able to transfer their instincts.
Still, as I descended toward one of the gardens of the college an idea struck me. A goofy grin spread on my face as I asked my self 'Why shouldn't I?'
Scorch facepalmed.
(General POV)
The trio of archmagi just start chuckling.
I shake my head with a smile and focus back on Tolfdir "So, you want me to summon Krein to
help us test this?"
Tolfdir nods again.
I close my eyes and breathe out slowly "Fine, worst he can do is say no." I breathe back in and call out "KREIN AAR VOKUN!" My voice echoing all across the building, likely to great confusion of the residents.
Now one may question why they didn't ask me to call my dragon friend earlier as I was simply
calling for his name. Well, they would be rather wrong in their assessment as Krein was not bound to me merely by vassalage but by a massive shadowbinding ritual.
And so as I called out his name, my mightiest servant heard me immediately and my shadow shifted and contracted before expanding massively, turning into a full blown coiling mass of black scales and muscles as Krein rose up from within.
"Thuri." He hummed in his powerful voice in greeting before offering the same to the
archmagi "Little immortals." He looked back to me "Why have you summoned me?"
Instead of answering him directly I looked to Tolfidr "Since it was your bright idea to call him, why don't you explain?"
The old man pretends to grumble in annoyance, though it isn't like he was trying all that hard
what with his eyes twinkling in amusement, as he turns to Krein and starts patiently and factually explaining what he wanted to try down to the minute details. He repeatedly promised no true harm upon the dragon and that he only wished to test the temporary debilitating effects of the spell itself.
"You wish for me to aid you in creating a tool to slay my kin?" Krein asks, his voice wasn't angry but there was a tension there anyone would notice if they were paying attention. "Only to defend my people from the predations of those who lack discipline." Tolfdir answers immediately "The spell will not leave our little cabal of archmages, of that I can assure you, and none of us wish to hunt you for trophies." He smirks "Besides, how can we offer you a
good fight if we lack the weapons to do so? Why should only you have potent claws and scales?" After a good minute of staring at the ancient man in contemplation Krein slowly looks to Shalazar and to my surprise asks him "You agree with his claims?"
The Lizard Wizard nodded his head rapidly "Never doubt Tolfdir, oh mighty friend of mine, for his honor is beyond his mortal kin!"
Golden eyes twitched in my direction for confirmation and once he had my hesitation-free nod, he himself allowed a slight bob in his head "Very well, cast your spell then." He extends his right 'hand' to the side, just in the path of Tolfdir.
Tolfdir doesn't hesitate and casts the chain immediately, enveloping the hand in binds of red and gold, immediately going for a tug on sheer instinct but quickly stopping himself so as to
not do too much damage.
Krein hisses at the sensation of it and flexes his claw as if to test it, he half hums and half
growls in approval "I can see how my kin would fall to this" He looks to me "It is almost as if getting struck with the rending curse but on a small surface instead of in my entirety and to
a lesser degree." His head swivels back to Tolfdir "You have succeeded, little immortal, I feel myself growing weaker by the moment."
The old Nord nods in satisfaction and immediately deactivates the spell, pulling the chains
back and allowing them to dissolve into Magicka, making the air brighten slightly due to the sheer amount of energy dissipating.
Before he can comment any further, my greedy ass blurts "Can I get a copy of that please?"
The amused looks the trio gave me at that was at the same time endearing as it was irritating.
Get a lesson from Tolfdir himself for only 999 stones today! (The House of Dagoth offers generous loans with the astonishingly low interest of 30% a day!)
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