Adam fortunately landed boots-first on the ground, surviving his flight from the giant tree. The impact left a crater in the mossy earth, and he skidded for almost fifteen tres before coming to a complete stop.
Holy crap, that was tense for a mont there.
But what a ride!
“How long do I have left before my rewards are chosen for ?”
[7 minutes 30 seconds.]
“That’s more than enough ti.”
Adam ran towards the breach and used the sides of the hole to climb up onto the seven-tre-tall wall. From the vantage, he saw two huts similar to the one near where he’d found the relic chest. However, there were no such prizes to be found.
The kid ntioned a termite nest, but I don’t see anything like that here.
Adam moved along the wall while looking out towards the treeline of the dark-blue forest. The trees looked as impenetrable as the ones he’d encountered in the previous stages, but as he went towards the south-eastern corner of the city, he saw a bite was taken out of the treeline. Within it, a hill with a small sapling and a simple wooden chair looked towards the city.
What the hell is that?
Adam climbed down from the wall and moved across the mossy ground to get to the hill. As he walked up the slope to where the chair stood, he realised he could see directly into the city. The configuration of the wood-and-stone towers aligned in a way that made it possible to view all the way to the pit that marked the city’s centre.
Soone must’ve been sitting here and observing the invasion, he thought to himself.
Was it the captain?
Although why attack from the north if he was here?
Maybe it was one of the knights?
Or wait… could it have been a hidden boss?
But that ans it would have to be defeated before the captain. With the ti constraint, that seems pretty difficult.
He looked around.
Still, there’s nothing here now.
“Ti?”
[6 minutes remaining.]
I’d better hurry up.
Adam ran back to the wall and followed it towards the south-western corner, while scanning the treeline for any signs of a termite nest. He didn’t see anything at all like what the boy had described and feared that it might’ve vanished along with whoever sat in the chair on the hill. Then he passed the two huts and noticed sothing in the shadow of one. It looked like a mound of dirt sprouting from a part of the ground where the moss was stripped away.
Without wasting a mont, he ran over to it and saw that it was indeed a termite nest. There wasn’t anything special about it, as far as he could see.
Maybe there’s a prize inside.
With a few shield slams, he broke the mound apart and revealed a white translucent egg the size of a zucchini.
As expected, it’s another egg.
Adam picked it up and put it in his pocket.
Secret Relic Obtained
Builder’s Egg (Rare) — Wriggles with inner life
So, my guess was right after all. It’s gotta be a secret vendor.
[5 minutes remaining.]
He returned to the wall and climbed up onto it.
I’ve got roughly four minutes to look around. Guess I’ll just do a quick scan along the wall before I return to the rewards.
Adam ran as fast as he could while keeping an eye on the forest outside the city limits. He counted a total of five huts before he made it to the south-eastern corner and ran out of ti. There were no other chests to be found nor any other hills like the one with the chair.
He spun back around towards the centre of the city and launched himself with the spring boots, flying through the air at max speed while trying to avoid spinning.
Landing on my head would be an embarrassing way to die…
[45 seconds remaining,] Shitbox announced as Adam skidded to a halt and sprinted the last stretch to where the tesseract was unfolded.
Upgrades Available
Spear Speed (Rare) — Increases spear attack speed by 35%
Shield Speed (Common) — Increases shield speed by 10%
Dodge (Rare) — Grants a 15% chance to dodge a direct attack
Hmm, this is a tough one. I think dodge would be super useful to have, since completely avoiding damage beats all other forms of defence.
But wait, how many upgrades do I need to get to 18 again?
“Armant.”
Weapon Status
Spear & Parry Shield
Common Quality
Level 16
Stat Upgrades
Spear Damage
55%
Spear Speed
80%
Spear Growth
30%
Shield Parry
3 seconds
Bash Damage
35%
Shield Speed
35%
Hmm… If I pick a weapon upgrade now and then buy another in the market, then I can evolve a third ti and see what happens at level 18. Plus, I get another mastery shard.
Adam frowned as he contemplated his move. Dodge was clearly the better pick here, but he knew he had to consider the long-term. There were just too many benefits to evolving.
Upgrade Selected
Spear Speed (Rare)
Shitbox returned to its cube shape, while the chest next to it started to glow. It bore a symbol of a sword and a shield.
While waiting for it to open, Adam looked at the tesseract.
“What were the point rewards for speedrun and flawless in this stage?”
[Both would have rewarded 500 Points.]
Damn, a two-hundred-point jump for the speedrun compared to stage three? The flawless bonus is the sa, but I guess that’s because of the back-up from the elphin.
“What about the secret boss?”
[I cannot say.]
Adam grinned.
That chair on the hill has to be where the secret boss is located. I can’t wait to check it out when I co through here next ti.
Ah… there I go again.
He shook his head and looked at the chest. The glow was intensifying from below the lid, but it hadn’t opened yet.
[15 seconds remaining.]
Adam kicked the chest and it popped open. There was a bronze brace, a large shrivelled raisin, and a flask of dark iridescent liquid.
Relics Available
Vigilant Fighter’s Vambrace (Rare) — Successfully parried attacks create a glowing weak point on the attacker
Heart of Darkness (Common) — A heart borne by those who gorge on darkness
Tainted Oil (Uncommon) — The Player’s weapons are coated with the darkness of the Forlorn, imbuing their attacks with Taint, lowering target’s Stamina regeneration by 40% for 30 seconds. The coating lasts for 2 Stages, after which the Relic disappears
The story has been taken without consent; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.
Okay, not a raisin. I wonder if that ans I can carve out their hearts and sell them… That’s pretty grim.
The oil is interesting as well. Would probably work well against enemies that take a while to kill, which I imagine will be sothing I’ll face later on. Still, reduced stamina regeneration is less effective than the venom upgrade that lowers movent speed. I suppose stacking afflictions would be a good way to fight though.
Anyway, the choice here is clear.
Relic Selected
Vigilant Fighter’s Vambrace (Rare)
The vambrace appeared on Adam’s right arm, covering his forearm in bronze and reaching to his elbow. He shifted his arm around, but the new relic didn’t interfere with his movents at all. Thanks to it reaching all the way to the bottom of the sli glove starting from the wrist, none of his right arm below the elbow was exposed.
Sha it doesn’t add any defence, but it should be very useful I think.
Shitbox released a pulse of magic and Adam blinked.
Adam stood near the middle of the ritual site at the centre of the Elphin Sanctuary. Under him was the engraved stone disc. All the channels were filled with a liquid silvery tal.
He couldn’t move or speak. He couldn’t even control his own blinking, which was deeply uncomfortable.
Another cutscene?
Opposite him stood the queen and in front of her was Belamouranthe. Her skin was painted with reflective silver paint like the disc, creating andering lines and swirling spirals, even along her horns. Her golden hair hung down her back in a large Dutch braid, and she still wore the green dress that Weaver had made for her.
All around them, standing on the steps leading down into the pit, were the remaining elphin from the city. Very few were defenders, since most of them had perished. What imdiately stood out to Adam, especially when he saw the children who were around the sa age as Bel, was that everyone had red epheral wings.
Everyone except her.
Shit…
She lied to . It wasn’t all elphin who had magic in their veins. It was just her.
That’s why the blood mage and the forlorn captain wanted her.
Why the elphin queen wanted her…
Belamouranthe looked up at him with her orange-glowing eyes. Her expression was serious, which broke his heart. It was clear she knew what was in store for her.
No child should ever need to act like that.
“Thank you, Adam, for bringing
ho and allowing
to fulfil mine destiny.”
Adam wanted to break free of the invisible restraints on his body and scream at her to run.
He knew what was coming. He could feel it deep in his core.
I didn’t save her by bringing her ho.
I dood her.
Before he could do anything, darkness overtook his surroundings, transporting him to a different place.
Now Entering
‘Interim Island’
Peculiar and uneven buildings appeared around him. A blue sky spread out above and a warm sun licked his face. The lody of a flute filled the air.
Adam had returned alone.
“Bring
back!” he yelled at Shitbox.
[You cannot return to a Stage you have completed.]
“Fuck you!” he shouted. “Why the hell would you present a story like that!? Haven’t you tortured us enough!”
[If you had paid attention, the story might have played out differently.]
“What? Are you saying this is my fault!?”
[No destiny is set in stone. No path is fixed.]
[This is the Trials of Defiance.]
[If you do not defy your fate then you will perish along with the rest of your species.]
[Defy .]
[Defy the All-Seeing System.]
[Only then may you rewrite the story.]
Adam froze.
He realised the cube was right. He hadn’t done anything to stop Belamouranthe’s fate even though he’d seen it coming from a mile away. What right did he have to complain when he’d just let it unfold?
I’ll find a way to change her destiny, he vowed.
Adam wanted to talk to his friends and figure out what they could do, but he first ran off towards the market.
The buildings had changed shape yet again. They were very close to looking like actual houses, though most were still misshapen or leaned oddly. If his theory about deaths fuelling the coherence of Interim Island was correct, then it ant that many had perished in stage four.
He arrived at the fountain where Yenna the wasp sat in front, holding a strange instrunt in her hands.
That’s not just a flute, he realised. It’s an ocarina.
The sound was quite pleasant, though there was a tinge of sadness and longing to its lody.
Yenna stopped playing when she saw him.
“Hello Adam. Is there any song you’d like
to play for you?”
He smiled slightly. “Yeah, play ‘The Song of Ti’.”
“Of course.”
As she started playing the lody, Adam walked past her and the fountain. Once again, the statues spitting water had been swapped and now small versions of the captain, wielding a sword and shield, shot water in an arch to land in the top bowl.
Secret Relic Activated
The large termite egg lifted itself out of Adam’s pocket and into the air. Then it floated down past Weaver’s spiderweb stall and planted itself. From within burst a tall freaky-looking termite. Around it appeared a stall with the sa texture as the nest he’d destroyed to get the relic.
[You have unlocked the Builder. This vendor sells upgrades to your Player House.]
Doubt that’ll be useful. I an, it’s not like I need new furniture.
He went over to the first stall with the blue overhang. The beetle was cleaning one of her tools with a dirty rag until she noticed him.
“Hi Thea.”
“Good day, Adam. Have you co to buy upgrades for your weapon?”
“I have. What was the price again?”
“450 points.”
That’s pretty expensive, but this is my third evolution.
“Currency.”
Player Currencies
Points — 1,079
He would have enough to buy a rare relic afterwards. Still, it felt like a lot of points.
Adam sighed. “Alright, show
what you got.”
Thea gestured towards the anvil next to her and it lit up with a golden light, before four symbols appeared above it.
Weapon Upgrades For Sale
Spear Speed (Rare) — Increases spear attack speed by 35%
Spear Growth (Common) — Increases spear length by 15%
Shield Speed (Uncommon) — Increases shield speed by 20%
Shield Parry (Uncommon) — Successful parry disorients for 1 second
Looks like the upgrades are split between the shield and spear evenly, similar to the Defender.
But no damage boost. Damn.
“I’ll buy the spear speed.”
“Understood,” Thea replied.
Weapon Upgrade Purchased
Spear Speed (Rare)
629 Points Remaining
Adam’s spear and shield imdiately started to glow. Then they both turned to golden dust in his hands and were sucked into the tesseract.
[Your Spear Dancer Class has reached Level 18.]
[At Level 18, your Class can be evolved in one of two possible directions based on your previous evolutions.]
Shitbox dropped to the ground and took on a pyramid shape. On either side of it were new weapons. Both had a spear and a shield, but the spear on the left had a narrower tip and a larger shield than before. The one on the right had a broadhead-like tip, and the shield was reflective on one side and oval in shape.
Select an Evolution
Son of Thetis — Unique Skill ( Fateful Strike ) | Deal 300% increased damage with the next weapon attack, but receive 100% increased damage for the following 30 seconds
Gorgon Slayer — Reflect projectiles back at their source | Beco unable to block
“Do I lose the speed-based damage boost from choosing either of these?
[All previously-selected Evolutions’ effects are retained.]
That’s good. Would’ve hated giving that away.
“Can I still parry if I pick Gorgon Slayer?”
[Yes.]
“Okay, but let
get this straight though. The Son of Thetis evolution gives
a special skill, but it has a cooldown, right?”
[Yes.]
“For how long?”
[10 minutes.]
“And the reflect one from Gorgon Slayer doesn’t have a cooldown?”
[Yes.]
Hmm…
“Is the increased damage taken from Son of Thetis activated only after I use the skill?”
[Yes.]
“But the inability to block for Gorgon Slayer is permanent? Or am I misunderstanding that?”
[It is permanent. Yes.]
Think I’ve gotta go for the first one then. Increased damage dealt will scale amazingly-well with the speed-boost from Spear Dancer. And depending on how it’s calculated, that can be pretty insane damage potential.
I haven’t really dealt much with ranged enemies, and even those I could block normally, so it seems like a bad idea to completely give up the ability to block.
Adam reached out and touched the left weapon hologram.
Evolution Selected
Spear Dancer =>Son of Thetis
The spear reappeared in his hand, the fiendbarb attached to the tip. The shield manifested on his left arm, strapped tightly to his skin. It was wider than before, asuring about a tre in diater now.
His third pyramid gem appeared in the air and he imdiately grabbed it.
Mastery Shard Obtained
I think I made a good call with that upgrade.
Still, wonder what I should invest my shard in.
Adam moved down the row of stalls, but neither Belin the cockroach nor Karie the cricket sold anything new. Although, when Adam saw the cricket’s stall he paused and turned to Shitbox.
“Wait, what happens now that my weapon is level 18? Can I just keep evolving?”
[No. Weapons cannot evolve more than 3 tis.]
“So, I won’t get any new upgrades for it?”
[You will still receive weapon upgrades amongst your options, and you can still purchase weapon upgrades from the vendor. These upgrades will now only cost 300 Points to match the price of the general upgrades.]
“I guess that makes sense?” Adam replied.
Eighteen is such an unsatisfying number to end it on, but I guess it’ll be less of a dilemma when I have to pick upgrades now.
Adam continued on to Lucca’s stall.
“You’re back,” she said. He almost expected her to comnt on the new vendor he’d brought to the market, but she didn’t say a word. Perhaps she only cared about other spiders.
“Show
your stuff.”
The spider gestured towards the chest. It started to glow.
He was getting rather tired of the drawn-out reveal every ti.
When it popped open, he saw nothing but green-glowing uncommon relics.
Relics For Sale
Overflow Diadem (Uncommon) — Activate to imdiately deliver all remaining damage of Afflictions, dealing 10% increased damage for every Affliction affected. Breaks after use
Affliction Ward (Uncommon) — Negate any Affliction. Breaks after use
Tainted Bracer (Uncommon) — Fire off a shadowy slash that penetrates armour and inflicts Taint, lowering target’s Stamina regeneration by 40% for 30 seconds. Breaks after use
Glutton Collar (Uncommon) — Consu two potions within 10 seconds of each other without incurring toxic backlash, but toxicity build-up is tripled
That’s unlucky…
Although, the overflow diadem could be really powerful. Especially if paired with the relic renewal stone.
“Reroll.”
Relic Purchased
Reroll Die (Uncommon)
529 Points Remaining
The chest closed, glowed anew, and then popped open again.
Relics For Sale
First Strike Earring (Rare) — The first hit against a target deals 25% additional damage, subsequent hits deal 10% less damage
Tainted Oil (Uncommon) — The Player’s weapons are coated with the darkness of the Forlorn, imbuing their attacks with Taint, lowering target’s Stamina regeneration by 40% for 30 seconds. The coating lasts for 2 Stages, after which the Relic disappears
Paralysis Venom (Uncommon) — Paralyses target on attack. Relic disappears after attack
Spirited Defence Nose Ring (Rare) — Successfully blocked attacks stagger the attacker and increases the following attack’s damage by 10%
Hmm. I could sell the rotmaker idol and reroll again. I doubt I’ll actually use that relic, since it sounds like it might get
killed.
The earring might not be terrible, but I’m not sure it’s worth it. Nose ring is also a new slot I hadn’t considered, although maybe it overlaps with earrings? There’s probably sothing dumb like that. Still, it might not be a bad pick.
Guess I’ll think about it for now.
“I’ll be back later,” he told Lucca.
“I know,” she replied in that creepy tone of hers.
He continued down past the stalls of Nelly the silverfish and Weaver, before stopping in front of the termite’s shop.
Within was what looked like a workbench with saws, screws, hamrs, asuring tapes, and anything else a builder might need. The stall itself was made of compacted dirt, sand, woodchips, and other such detritus that a termite hive would use to construct their nest.
“How do you do, Adam? You can call
Builder,” greeted the termite inside the stall. She spoke with a southern twang, for so reason.
“What do you actually sell?”
“I’ve got anything you might need to add to your player house and its garden.”
“Anything?” he asked sceptically.
“You want a dummy that can fight back? I can build it. You want a special room for testing relics? I’ve gotchu.”
Adam suppressed a grin. The dummy would definitely be useful, as would a relic test chamber.
“And how much would the upgraded dummy cost?”
“Twenty-five hundred points. The special room will cost six thousand points.”
Adam blinked laly, the answer taking a mont to sink in.
“Huh??”
“My work ain’t cheap, but you’ll be glad to have it.”
“There’s no way I can afford that.”
“Co back when you can,” she retorted.
“Uh, yeah, we’ll see about that…”
He left Builder’s stall, shaking his head.
Adam decided it was ti for him to go to the tavern and find out how his friends had fared. And although he didn’t actually feel hungry, he craved Charlie’s food.
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