The Dragon's Archon - Ch. 2 - Reborn (Patreon)

I went a little silly on the Ero magic. I wanted to try to have a little more fun with the story. I'm hoping I can add a good mix of fun, excitement, and seriousness. Devon will be an OP MC, but I'm hoping I can keep things exciting with the build of their sect, some political shenanigans, and adventuring. 

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With my fate sealed, Heluna pulled away from me and brought the floating hologram closer with a wave of her hand. “To start the process of your rebirth, you’ll need to craft the new you. There are a lot of options here, so I’d advise that you take the time to go through all the options and read through everything before you complete your selections. You can enable and disable options until you hit the Start Anew button at the end. I’ll be here should you have any questions.”

With a simple twist of her fingers, Heluna summoned an elegant wooden chair and took a seat while I perused the options in front of me. The hologram was easy to navigate with a simple tap of my fingers. It wasn’t long before I could scroll and select options with the simple thought.

The first page focused on the core attributes. But just like before, there was no number like I was used to in other systems I’d played. They were all set to the letter D. Even when I clicked on the selection, nothing moved. It wasn’t until I hovered over the first one of Strength that a tooltip popped up.

Core attributes are defined by other selections such as class, race, and perks. Attributes will increase and decrease based on the user’s selection.

Makes sense, I thought. The information only reinforced Heluna’s suggestion that I read through everything before I completed my selections. I hovered over each of the options to get a better understanding of how they would affect me.

Strength: Measures the user’s muscle mass and physical prowess.

Perception: Measures the user's ability to see the world around you and hand-eye coordination.

Endurance: Measures the user’s heartiness and your stamina.

Charisma: Measures the user’s personal magnetism, perceived appearance, and leadership skills.

Intelligence: Measures the user’s ability to learn, reason, and solve complex problems.

Agility: Measures the user’s reflexes and balance.

Luck: Measures the cosmos’ influence over the user’s destiny.*

*Note a high luck does not guarantee success. Influences are minor and rarely perceived.

The options were explained clearly enough. Although the last one I was definitely intrigued about. I made a mental note to ask about it later if the further options didn’t explain them better. With a simple thought, I clicked the Next button, which took me to the Race menu.

My jaw dropped at the number of the variety of races and subraces. It listed the typical fantasy races I expected: humans, elves, dwarves, orcs, and goblins. Each one had several subraces as well. However, where things got excessive was under the monsterfolk race. There were dozens of subraces ranging from catfolk and cowfolk to the more exotic breeds, such as arachne and lamia.

Each race came with their own traits. Some of which were shared between various factions. They provided small boosts to individual attribute ratings and other small benefits, such as being able to see in the dark or having resistances to specific types of damage.

However, there was one that stood above all the rest. It was the first race offered to me and highlighted by a sparkling golden border like a legendary loot drop.

Dragon Blooded Human (Rebirth Affinity)

Strength Bonus: ++

Charisma Bonus: ++

Draconic Senses: Enhanced Sight and Smell

Damage Resistance: Holy Magic and Death Magic

Dragon Goddess Bonus: Additional Soul Essence

I flipped through a couple of the other screens. Sure enough, there were options highlighted in a shiny gold and a shiny pink color separate from the other options.

“Heluna?” I asked, my gaze looking through the semi-transparent menu. “Some of my choices are glowing. What’s that about?”

“Ah, an excellent question. The gold choices are unique selections based on you being an Archon. They should be selected by default for that category. They provide you with the best option in category benefits. The pink choices are unique options for being my Archon. Those options are available to you to select to your heart’s content. All other options are available to those blessed by a divine or they’ve enabled a class themselves through hard work, education, or some other means.”

“Got it. What if I didn’t want to be human? Could I be a Dragon Blooded Orc, perhaps?”

Heluna tapped on her cheek for a moment before responding. “Yes, I could probably do that, but it would take away soul essence that you could use to spend on other things, such as perks. If you’d like to change your look down the line, you could always use magic.”

“That’s a good point. Something like a glamour spell?”

“Preciscely.”

When I selected the race and hit next, my displayed body changed immediately. My love handles disappeared and were replaced with visible muscle. My height grew, and my eyes changed to more reptilian golden slits. It was slightly odd to see what I could be, but only fueled my excitement to push forward. The next menu was Class with another selection already highlighted for me.

Archon of Rebirth

Strength: ++++

Perception: ++

Endurance: ++++

Charisma: ++++

Intelligence: ++

Agility: ++++

Luck: ++

Rebirth Bonus Access: Holy Magic, Death Magic, and Ero Perks

Archon Class Bonus Perks: Eternal Life

Divine Granted Bonus Perks: Disappearing Act, Sexual Stallion, Waterfall, A Partner’s Desires, Tasty Fluids, Fertility Control, A Father’s Gift

I glanced over at Heluna with a deadpan face after I read the last part. She had the biggest shit-eating grin on her face. Her scrunched nose and toothy fangs drew me in.

“Really?” I asked, failing to be serious.

“What?” she asked, shrugging. “I am the Goddess of Rebirth.”

I laughed and shook my head as I turned back to the menus. With a final scroll, I looked through the classes once more to see how they compared. Most only had influence over two attributes. A knight only had points in strength and endurance, whereas a diplomat only had points in charisma. That’s when I realized the core selection lacked a Skills section. Something I’d seen in most RPGs I’d played.

“I’ve got another question for you, Heluna,” I began. “I would have expected to see some kind of skill list that would define how good I am at things.”

Heluna gazed at me for a few seconds. I couldn’t tell for certain, but my guess was that she was reading my mind to better get an understanding of my perspective. When I thought back on one of my previous game nights, she gasped in recognition.

“Oh… I see. No, that’s not how this works. Everything is based on your attributes. So you don’t have a specific skill that defines it. Let’s say you need to get to a ledge above you. Someone with a high strength may choose to use their powerful legs to jump on top of the ledge. However, someone with a higher agility may choose to run up a side wall to get to it.”

“How does the attribute scaling work?”

“Each letter is averaged to the total population of Talis. D represents below average. C is average. B is above average. A is peak. S is the pinnacle. As I spoke before, as you make your selections, these will adjust. With you being an Archon, you will always have a slight edge over someone with the same attribute score except for other Archons.”

“I think I get it now,” I said, nodding. “Another question for you. How does Luck play into a scenario?”

“That’s… tricky. I think the only person who could answer that question is Xenith. He is the chief architect for the rules that govern our world. My best explanation, using the same analogy from before, would be to say the person running up the side wall didn’t perceive that it had a weak spot. When they put their weight on it, they slip, and don’t have enough momentum to reach the edge. If they had a maxed out luck, a cool breeze might come through to push them just far enough where they hit the ledge, allowing the strength user to pull them up.”

“If it doesn’t guarantee opportunities, or the reward is small, it doesn’t seem like it would be worth concentrating on it.”

“I would agree. It would be a waste of soul essence to only choose things for a high Luck stat. However, if you choose perks or powers that influence Luck, it’s not necessarily a bad thing.”

I nodded and selected the Archon class before hitting Next. Again, my model updated. My avatar gained a foot in height and I looked like I put on several hundred pounds of lean muscle. My body became a beacon of strength and athleticism, as if carved from hardened stone.

The next menu was Perks and Powers. This is where I knew all of my time would go. Each selection cost soul essence, ranging from two to ten. Certain options also had further steps that increased the benefit the more points I spent. With my new life on the line, I was going to take every advantage I could. That meant finding any opportunities to min-max my soul essence.

Over the next hour, I read and reread each of the powers and perks. The lists were broken up into individual sections. Magic Powers covered all the various types of magic types and schools. However, while each selection was grossly expensive, there didn’t seem to be individual spells to unlock.

Through some helpful tooltips, I learned that each unlock gave me access to use the entire school right off the bat. However, I knew that I’d still have to train to learn the individual spells and train to use them. The training could be through experience such as trial and error, or being taught. Once I understood the spell and how to use it, it would unlock permanently for use.

The next section was core powers. That covered everything to enhance my body and mind. I spent most of my time here. I’d always favored strong melee classes in my builds. Since I was already getting access to Holy and Death magic, I figured that would be sufficient to start. My goal at the beginning was not to die, and buffing my physical prowess seemed like the wisest choice while I figured out the magic system.

The final section was completely pink, implying this was a boon from being Heluna’s Archon. However, it was the most… unorthodox. Each of the choices was sexual in nature. They ranged from adjusting the size of my cock to increasing my potency. I couldn’t help but laugh as I read them.

Heluna didn’t help. Every time I laughed, she did too. I caught glances from her, biting her lip as her fingers stroked the skin of her thighs. She seemed to feel my curiosity and subtle arousal, which seemed to play into her own.

While most of the perks in this section felt like they were completely meant for my own pleasure and fun, several stood as viable options for fucking my way to success, so to speak. Luckily for me, they were all included with my class.

When I thought about whether I could deselect them to gain additional soul essence, Heluna was quick with a sly smile. “Don’t forget my first tenent…”

I relented. But there were a ton of great options I just didn’t have enough essence to buy.

“If I don’t choose something now, could I get something later?” I asked.

“Yes… but what I’m giving you is pure soul essence. The amount to acquire additional perks, specifically, is going to require an exponentially higher amount of souls for the same equivalent. Not to mention, they are supposed to be coming to me. You have a debt owed, and while I’m willing to be patient, I would like to see the favor coming in sooner rather than later.”

I huffed and shook my head. Stupidly, I’d assumed I accepted this agreement to get out of debt, only to realize I traded one form for another. At least this one comes with a beautiful goddess and magical powers, I thought.

I scoured over the list again as I contemplated my choices. “When it comes to favor, would you rather have followers or souls? Is there a difference in value?”

“Not technically. They both have their pros and cons. If you kill another for their soul, it is mine eternal until exhausted. A living soul can change their mind and devote another. However, if I may part some wisdom, people have a herd mentality. Your hardest followers are going to be gained at the start. Once you have a larger following, it will be easier to gain more.”

“Hmm… good point. Then I should prioritize Charisma besides my other physical attributes.”

“I would concur, but like I said, this is your decision. While I do have desires of my own for you, I do not want them to sway your prerogatives.”

“Like all the defaulted perks in Ero Magic?” I asked with a mischievous grin.

Heluna covered her mouth as she laughed. “I just want you to enjoy your time here. My mother always said a happy Archon is a productive Archon.”

“I’m sure this will feel like a dream rather than sitting behind a desk all day.”

“As someone who has been locked in here for centuries, I’m looking forward to seeing you get started.”

“Oh… uh… sorry if that was insensitive. I didn’t mean…”

“Oh, I didn’t take it that way at all,” Heluna said with a wave of her hand. “I only wanted to relate to that feeling. I’m looking forward to your accomplishments. Not to put more weight on your shoulders, but the sooner you get started, the sooner I’ll have the potential to leave this place.”

“And I’m looking forward to granting you that freedom.”

We both shared a smile that filled me with warmth. I was always a sucker for a woman in trouble. That’s what caused my death in the first place. Only this time I’d be given the tools to actually do something about it.

I glanced back at the list briefly before realizing I needed one more bit of information before I made my final selections. “Hey Heluna, you said you also had artifacts for me? What are they? I need to understand their functions in case they overlap with any perks I want.”

“I promise they aren’t,” Heluna said. “If possible, I’d like to wait until you’re ready for your rebirth. I wanted to give them as parting gifts.”

“That’s fine, as long as you’re certain.”

“I would never lie to you, Devon.”

It was at that moment I put my complete trust in her. To my understanding, we shared a bond that few did. If we were to make this work, I needed her as much as she needed me. So, I finished my selections. When I hit next, the screen confirmed my choices.

Holy Magic Control:

Grants access to Holy Magic. Charisma: ++

Starting Spells:

Healing Touch

User can heal small injuries such as cuts and bruises.

Holy Flame

User can conjure a burning flame of holy energy from their hands.

Death Magic Control:

Grants access to Death Magic. Charisma: ++

Starting Spells:

Frightful Presence

User starts with a basic aura that can cause overwhelming fear in their enemies, causing them to flee.

Speak with Dead

User can commune with the recently deceased.

Arcane Infusion

If user knows two or more schools of magic they can imbue their body to enhance their physical prowess. Gain Goliath II and Resilience II for instead, but can’t expand beyond them until user removes this perk. Soul Essence will not be refunded. Charisma: +, Strength: ++, Endurance: ++

Goliath IV

Enhanced Strength. Weight lift limit is increased to two thousand pounds overhead. Strength: ++++

Resilience IV

Enhanced Endurance. User’s body becomes more durable. Can withstand blows from Goliath II wielders and lower. Also, gains poison immunity. Endurance: ++++

Relentless

User gains extremely strong regeneration powers. Limbs and organs regrow in seconds. Only way to be killed is by 90% or higher total body destruction. Endurance: +++++

Weapon Master

User can master any weapon after three days of training equal to the best professional. Strength: ++, Perception: ++, Agility: ++

Fast Learner

User can learn any type of magic. They can read entire tomes within minutes. Intelligence: +++

Everlasting

User no longer needs to eat or drink. They can still do it for enjoyment. Endurance: ++

Perfect Health

User will always be in peak physical shape no matter how much they eat or how little they exercise. Strength: +. Endurance: ++

Eternal Life

User does not age. Endurance: +++

Elasticity

User’s partner’s orifices adjust to accept the user's cock without pain. Sexual pleasure from penial stimulation increased for both parties. Charisma: +

Sexual Stallion

User has no refractory period. Cum production increased. Charisma: +, Endurance: +

Waterfall

User’s partners’ and potential partners' sexual fluids increase with their arousal. Charisma: +

A Partner’s Desires

User can look at someone and read their deepest sexual desires. Charisma: +

Tasty Fluids

User’s partners all find the user’s fluids to taste delicious. Charisma: +

Fertility Control

User can alter their fertility from completely sterile to guaranteed pregnancy. Charisma: +

A Father’s Gift

All children inherit user’s power at 50% capacity with randomly assigned perks. Mother’s class and perks influence the draw. Charisma: +

I read through the list once more. My thought process around my choices focused on being able to defend myself from the start. With increased strength, durability, and regeneration, my thought was that I could stand toe-to-toe with nearly anyone in a physical brawl.

However, it was the idea of fighting a stronger, magical based foe that became a concern. Which is why I combined these with Perfect Health and Everlasting. My theory was that exhaustion came from energy expenditure. If my body never needed sustenance, it would always run a peak performance without needing to stop.

This meant as long as I could outlast my opponent, I would always end up on top. As they tired, I would hit them with the same fury and veracity at the start, giving me an edge. But all of this was an untested theory. It wouldn’t be until I put it into practice if it actually worked.

My counter thoughts were that my energy recharge would be replaced with something else or I would have to constantly sleep. If it worked the way I wanted, it would be completely broken. But that’s what I needed. I had to game the system to give me every advantage at the start. I was starting at ground zero, and had no idea how to start a sect.

The threat of having to sleep more was a large enough gap that concerned me enough to search back through the perk list. Once I found what I was looking for, I contemplated whether I wanted to make the change. It was expensive, so I would have to give up one or more perks as a replacement.

Fuck it, I thought.

Removed:

Weapon Master

User can master any weapon after three days of training equal to the best professional. Strength: ++, Perception: ++, Agility: ++

Stalwart Beacon

User radiates an aura of leadership. Every ally within a five hundred foot radius gains Resilience I, immunity to fear effects, and immunity to enemy auras. Charisma: ++

Added:

Bludgeoning Weapon Proficiency

User is adept at using weapons with the bludgeoning damage type. Strength: +

Untiring:

User does not have to sleep. Endurance: +++

I leaned back, scanning everything as I thought, Yeah… I think that looks good. I should be able to find a club anywhere. Hell, I could pull off a tree branch if needed.

Magic was going to be my long-term plan. I knew I’d have to figure out the spells, then learn to control them, and use them effectively. With Fast Learner, I hoped that during my downtime, I could spend it training or learning about the world.

Everything from the Ero Magic tree was a mix of fun and purpose. Breeding my way to a large congregation killed two birds with one stone. It sounded like a hell of a good time, and would increase Heluna’s favor. I convinced myself it was her idea rather than mine.

The next tab was full of hundreds of sliders. They all adjusted various aspects from my appearance, from my eyebrow length, to my beard hair color. Without hesitating, I skipped it completely and hit next.

The physical changes my race, class, and perks made to my body pleased me. I also wasn’t sure if looking at a mirror and seeing an unfamiliar face would leave me with some unknown psychological issues. I’d had the same face for my entire existence, and this one was the best I’d ever looked.

The next screen displayed my final character sheet. It had an image of the future me in the upper right-hand part of the screen. I felt an overwhelming sense of pride and excitement that this was who I was going to become.

But my size was a boon and a curse. I’d traveled overseas in my previous life, and depending on where I went, I towered above everyone else. This was the extreme. I was over seven-feet tall with biceps the size of boulders and thighs the size of tree trunks. It would make it hard to stay incognito.

“Is it common for Archons to be so… big?” I asked.

“Yes,” Heluna said without hesitation. “Archons are apex beings on Talis. With that, comes imposing presences enhanced through their anatomy. However, there are plenty of beasts that are larger.”

“Like what?”

“Wurms, wyverns, mammoths, various carnivorous plants and aquatic species… Should I go on?”

“No, that was plenty thorough. I’m assuming they are a much greater threat outside of the major cities?”

“Your assumption is correct. Most major cities or towns will have some sort of walled defense or guards to help defend against the wildlife. Although, there are plenty of small villages that don’t have either.”

Internally, I was kicking myself for missing such a critical piece of information. The other races and sects had been such a focus that I hadn’t even considered there being mobs or beasts in this world, too. The new discovery didn’t change my plan for my build, however, it made me realize that I would have to take them into consideration going forward.

As I peered at my avatar, I couldn't help but smile. Being big wasn’t all bad. The system did a great job stroking my ego with the adjustments below the belt. I wasn’t sure if that resulted from Heluna’s perks or the magic scaling everything to an appropriate portion. Either way, I wasn’t mad about it.

On the left of the sheet were all of my attribute scores, only now they were updated with a different letter, along with a description of text.

Strength: S

User is the pinnacle of humanoid strength. Can topple buildings with a single blow. Can crush steel in their bare hands.

Perception: C

User can perceive things slightly better than the average individual. Has a good general awareness of their surroundings. Can eavesdrop on a nearby conversation with concentration. Has a slightly above average hand-eye coordination for ranged weapons.*

*Sight and Smell based at Draconic Bloodline. Can see up to one and a half miles away with concentration. Can smell up to a mile away depending on wind conditions.

Endurance: S

User is the pinnacle of humanoid conditioning. Can shrug off blows from the strongest foes. Has an endless amount of stamina. Can sprint for hundreds of miles without exhaustion.

Charisma: S

User is the pinnacle of confidence and beauty. Targets will find it impossible not to listen or acknowledge to user’s words or presence. Carries a radiance that fills hearts with hope or dread. Could influence a divine entity.

Intelligence: C

User thinks with a slightly above average level of intellect and reason. Can solve complex problems with enough time and planning. Can identify different viewpoints from their own and build a foundation of understanding.

Agility: C

User moves with a slightly above average dexterity, flexibility, and speed. Can balance on a thin ledge with enough concentration. Can run an eight-minute mile.

Luck: C

User lives with a slightly above average luck. User might find a random copper on the ground, remember where they lost their boot, or notice a small piece of jerky at the bottom of their satchel.

Underneath it all were a list of my perks, along with the final button. It pulsed with the words Start Anew. My excitement was already immeasurable. There was so much I wanted to explore and experience. I couldn’t wait to take my first steps in this new world.

With a wide grin, I looked through the hologram at Heluna. “All right, I’m at the last screen.”

The blue-eyed goddess jumped to her feet and shuffled over toward me. She reached behind her back and pulled out two items: a pair of black metal gauntlets that looked like they were forged in hell itself and a red amulet on a silver chain.

“These were my mother’s and fathers,” the goddess began. “The gauntlets are part of my father’s personal armor. Before we left to meet with the other pantheon members, my father hid his armor around Talis. I assume he didn’t want the other pantheon members to find it. He left me instructions on how to find them. I think he’d hoped one day I would find the strength to seek his armor out and use it to get him and mother out. I know you will need time to get your bearings. However, I’m entrusting this quest to you. I understand how this must feel with your already colossal task. However, completing the entire set will offer tremendous boons to you.”

“What do they do exactly?”

“Each piece will enhance your Death Magic by making existing spells more powerful and granting you unique ones. The gauntlets give you the power of Death’s Touch. Should you touch a less powerful mortal, you can sap their vitality and replenish your own.”

“That could come in quite handy.”

“That’s not all. The gem at the top of the left gauntlet will allow you to absorb your foes’ souls. You can either use them to fuel your own power or send them to me with a simple thought.”

“I was wondering how you would get them.”

Heluna raised the piece of jewelry. “And this is my mothers. The stone is imbued with a teleport spell. It only maintains one charge and takes a few days before it can be used again. The spell will allow you to bring up to ten people with you, so don’t assume you can move an entire sect with it.”

“When I put these on, will I understand how to use them immediately, or will I need to figure it out?”

“The knowledge will fill your mind instantaneously.”

“Should I put them on?”

Heluna smiled and shook her head like I’d asked a stupid question. “No. These are just illusions. When you awake in your new body, Head Priestess Yda will have them. She’s been instructed to give them to you.”

“So you can commune with her?”

“Yes, just like you. However, as I stated previously, until you rebuild my reserves, you both will be on your own.”

“What’s Yda like?”

“Yda is a kind and gentle soul. She’s a young woman, a bit naïve, but completely devoted to the cause. You both share something in common. When she needed a savior, I answered her prayer. I’ll allow her to tell you her story, for it’s not mine to tell. However, I ask that you take it easy with her. Show her the same kindness that I see in you and she will be just as devoted to you. I chose her as my Head Priestess because I needed someone to balance what I needed for an Archon.”

“And what’s that?”

“I need an Archon who can lead. Someone who has the courage to do what needs to be done to see my name spread. I need a man who has the determination and will to tame Talis, and defend our sect from the threats that already surround us. I need you, Devon.”

A fire lit inside of me that I was certain would burn a hole into their world. I’d never desired anything more. In the back of my mind, I contemplated the leader I was going to be.

I was going to be a fair but firm ruler. Diplomacy would come before action. However, should my hand be forced, I would not hesitate.

I was going to be the man to build the Sect of Rebirth in Heluna’s name. To spread it far and wide and defend those who pledge their loyalties to me and my goddess. And anyone who dared stand in my way would feel the full might of my wrath.

Heluna shuttered as goosebumps covered her shiny pink skin. “I can feel your conviction. Such purity. Such passion.” The items in her hand vanished, and she pressed her soft body into me. Her lips parted, inches from my face, as she whispered. “Are you ready?”

“Yes,” I said. My body tingled with anticipation.

“Then make your final selection and close your eyes.”

My eyes shot to the menu, and I pressed the button. A bright yellow light illuminated under my feet, and I closed my eyes. Heluna’s mouth pressed into mine. She kissed me tenderly, but deeply. From her lips, a warmth poured into my whole body like I drank hot cocoa on a winter’s evening.

When her lips pulled away, she whispered to me for the final time. “Good luck my Archon. The next time we shall speak, shall be one of celebration. Make me proud.”

Her voice rang into my mind as I fell. My body disappeared, replaced with a numbness that annoyed me rather than tickled. I wasn’t sure how long I floated away. A feeling of coolness covered my entire backside.

A soft feminine voice gasped only a second later. “Kartha, quick, he’s here!”

When I finally opened my eyes, two beautiful faces looked down upon me.