Empyrean 14: Meeting a Ghost (Patreon)

Amelia, here! Please enjoy a new chapter of Empyrean's Flight. As usual, all feedback is welcome :)

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Soren’s mouth hung open for a few seconds. I knew this was a lot to take in, so I gave him the time he needed to process what I had just said.

“Celestial… companion? Like a ghost?” he finally asked.

“Kind of, I suppose. We are not sure what she is, but we are bound together. We protect each other and she’s been helping me understand the game,” I explained. “She used to serve Shanasyn.”

Pensively, Soren said, “So she is… ancient.”

“You know who Shanasyn is?” I asked, surprised at his response.

He gave me a wry smile. “Mom used to tell me stories,” he said. “But that’s beside the point.  What exactly do you mean by ‘bound’?”

I told him about the ring I found alongside the Class stone that made me a player. The way both melted into me, and how Adalinda appeared as living mist when I activated the artifact. When I was done explaining how Adalinda came to be my companion, Soren said nothing.

“Does that make sense? I know this is all quite a lot to take in,” I said after a minute of silence.

“Yes, it does,” he said, raising his hand to his chin thoughtfully. “I find it interesting that items like that can be passed down through players.”

“Oh, that’s not all I found…”

I continued to tell my brother about the artifacts, skillbooks, ability tomes, and potions we found in the Devil’s lair.

“There was also this bag of stones,” I said, moving toward my backpack to pull out the Class stones I took from the hideout. I handed them to Soren.

Soren hesitantly took the stones and inspected them closely. “Have you used any of these?” he asked.

“No,” I said simply.

“Good, let’s keep it that way for now. I don’t think anyone here knows enough about the Game to make any more rash decisions.”

I sunk into myself a little when he said that. I knew he was referring to my quick decision to become a player and save him. When he saw my reaction, he gently touched my shoulder and said, “Hey, don’t worry. I am trying to learn more about who—what—you are, and as I said last night, I will need some time.” He drew a long breath. “But I am getting there, slowly.”

A woebegone smile formed on my face. I felt slightly better with his reassurance, but I couldn’t help but feel I had let him down.

My decision had been made, though, and there was nothing to do but move forward in any way we could. “So, do you have any more questions?” I asked him.

He did, and I answered them as best I could. I explained what my abilities entailed, and how I would get stronger over time as I found more skills and abilities. Throughout the conversation, he was mostly tentative about the information I gave him, but there were moments where he looked pleased.

When I was done explaining, he took some time to absorb everything and then spoke. “Can I meet Adalinda?”

I cocked my head to the side and frowned. Would that be a good idea right now?

“I think it would be an excellent idea,” Adalinda suddenly said excitedly.

I shook my head at my companion listening in on my thoughts again. But maybe seeing her as a being would make it easier for Soren to accept my new identity. The worst that could happen is that they didn’t get along, really, and that would be manageable. Not ideal, but manageable.

“Okay, let’s introduce you to my brother,” I said.

Without a second’s hesitation, Adalinda moved through me like mist and took her physical form between Soren and me. We had been sitting cross-legged on our respective beds, which were next to each other, and there was a little space on the floor where Adalinda could sit.

Your companion has taken the form of a fire lizard. Adalinda has 80% psi remaining.

After her spell was done, she lay down on the ground and turned her head to face Soren. It was sweet, as I assumed she was doing so to try and communicate that she was no threat to him.

Notably, Soren seemed unperturbed by her presence. “Hello there, little one,” he said. Adalinda sat on her haunches, gracefully, and bowed her head slightly at my brother.

“Can she speak?” Soren asked me.

“We use mindspeak to communicate with each other,” I explained. “I am not sure if she can speak to others normally, though.”

I put my finger up to Soren, indicating that he should give me a moment, and looked down at my celestial companion. “Ada, can you speak to Soren?”

“No, I don’t think so,” she responded. “We are bonded, you and I, that is why we can communicate. If I ‘speak’ to anyone else, all they’ll hear are grunts and roars.”

I nodded and turned my focus back to my brother. “It doesn’t seem she can speak to you. I think you need to be bound to understand her.”

Soren looked a little disappointed at this revelation. “Oh, alright. Well, it was nice to meet you, Adalinda. Thank you for looking after my sister.” A small hiss erupted from Adalinda, but it was not threatening. In fact, it almost sounded like a satisfied sigh. I giggled a little. “I suppose that’s her version of ‘you’re welcome’,” I said.

Soren smiled at me. “She’s definitely intimidating. And that’s not even considering what I saw her do in our fight. I’m glad we’ve got her on our side,” he paused. “But I think I’ve had my fill of Game knowledge for now.”

I bobbed my head in understanding. “I think it’s time you return to spirit, Ada,” I said to the fire lizard. She responded to my request immediately.

✵ ✵ ✵

After Adalinda returned to her spirit form, the rock-door started moving slowly. Although I suspected who it most likely was, my hand reflexively held onto the sheath of my dagger. A few seconds went by, and Alon’s mop of blonde hair poked through.

“Why so serious?” he asked when he walked in.

“You gave me a start!” I responded.

He laughed at my nervousness and walked toward Soren and me. "How are things in here?”

Soren and I exchanged a quick look. “Soren met Adalinda,” I said.

“Ah, so I assume you two have worked through your issues then?” the axeman asked.

“You could say that,” Soren said, ruffling my hair a bit. “Did you see anything outside?”

Alon nodded. “We’ll have to be careful. I saw a few Devil patrols. They didn’t spot me, and we can work around them, but we aren’t one-hundred percent safe.”

“Thanks for checking for us,” I said with a smile.

The axeman smiled back at me. “What did you think of the lizard?” he asked Soren.

“I think we'll get along well,” my brother said. "Have you met her yet?"

“Yes. We had a rough start just before we left for the lair,” Alon said, a hint of resentment in his voice. “She was a great help, but I am not sure if we can trust her yet.”

Soren turned his lips down. “I think she’ll be fine.”

Alon rolled his eyes at my brother. “Yeah, but you would think ground-up gravel on a slice of bread would be fine,” he retorted.

I didn’t pay much attention to their back-and-forth. All I could really feel right now was a sense of relief that my secret was out to my brother, and that we could have a civil conversation about it. After what the Game had done to our family, I wasn’t sure it would go well at all. And, although there was a tense mood between Soren and I, things were looking positive.

When I looked up from my thoughts, Soren and Alon were still going off at each other.

“It’s good to have her on our side!”

“But we don’t know her!”

“Both of you, please keep quiet,” I snapped. “Whether we like it or not, Adalinda is part of the family now. And, personally, I like having her around.”

When I said that, I felt a warm glow emanating from my chest. Interesting, I thought. It seemed that the closer Adalinda and I got, the more I was in touch with how she felt.

“But—” Alon started.

I held up my hand. “But nothing, Alon. Please just try and accept her as part of our plan at least.”

Alon let out a massive sigh before agreeing. “Thank you,” I said. “Now I think we’ve spoken enough for now, I have some things I need to prepare before we make our next move. Will you two be okay without me?” I asked sarcastically.

They shrugged me off before saying “Yes” in unison.

“Good.”

My conversation with Soren had reminded me about the artifacts and items we had found in the Devil’s hideout, and I thought it was time for me to look at how they could be useful.

✵ ✵ ✵

Alon and Soren moved to the other side of the room and left me in peace, and I continued sitting on my mattress to inspect the items. I pulled out the skillbooks we found in the lair and inspected the first two.

The target is a basic skillbook: Channeling. Channeling allows you to replenish your mana. This skillbook is compatible with your Class and may be learned.

The target is an advanced skillbook: Two-weapon fighting. This skillbook is incompatible with your Class and cannot be learned.

I slumped my shoulders slightly at the Game’s messages. At least I could learn one skill, but two-weapon fighting would have been useful for my dagger.

Channeling sounded simple, but if it was compatible with my Class, I assumed that it would be useful to learn. But I had an expendable amount of skill slots, and I was worried to use them all in case I found something better later. I needed some help.

“Ada?”

“How can I help?”

Of course, she already knew that I was struggling with my choice. “I am not sure what to do about these skillbooks. Should I use them if I can?”

There was a pause. “You should think carefully about what you learn.”

“Why?”

“Remember, you only get six skill slots per Class,” she responded plainly. “But your ability slots will increase with your attributes.”

I pushed my head back and raised my brows in surprise. “So, I can basically just become limitless over time?”

Ada chuckled a little. “You can become extremely powerful, and so can I. But it will take time.”

I nodded, even though she couldn’t see me. Her advice was sound. I didn’t want to make any rash decisions, but at the same time, I needed something that could help me replenish mana without the need of potions. My choice made, I willed my decision to the Game.

You have acquired the basic skill: Channeling. Channeling is a discipline that allows a player to replenish their store of mana from the surroundings.  You have 2 skill slots left in your Empyrean Class.

Happy with the outcome of my first newly-learned skill, I picked up the third and last skillbook I found.

This is a master skillbook: Summoning. This skill is compatible with your slotted Class and may be learned. The skillbook is a single-use item.

I clutched my chest when rereading the description of the third book. Summoning was something magic users did, I knew, but it was only something I had been exposed to in stories I heard as a child. Now I had the opportunity to become those heroes.

And I grabbed it with both hands.

You have acquired the master skill: Summoning. The art of summoning as practiced by those with the summoning skill is entirely different. Those with the summoning skill are true summoners and not mere dabblers in the art, as are all others.

When a summoner calls forth an entity, it is their summoning skill, and not the spell itself, that determines the power of the summoned entity. As a summoner’s skill increases, so too does the strength of their summons, making even the least spell in his arsenal potentially deadly.

You have 1 of 6 skill slots left in your Empyrean Class.

I cupped my face with both hands. Me, little Elana, a summoner. I liked the sound of that. The opportunities I had in hand were becoming clearer, and I was starting to realize the real power I could hold as a player.

But I had to be careful, I knew that much. Even though the Game was affording me the opportunity to build the better life I wanted for Soren, Alon, and myself, I would still be at the mercy of the Adjudicator.

I hated that.

Shrugging off the negative feelings I still had toward the Game, I moved on to inspect the three ability tomes.

The target is a basic ability tome: Hands of Fury. The user can summon magic to their fists and damage with that element when using this ability. You do not have slots available in the required attribute: Strength, to learn this ability.

I cocked my head in thought. I had some attribute points to spare, and something like hands of fury would be useful. I had the magic to use. But I was also not very hardy at the moment, so getting up close to my enemies may not be the best strategy.

I set it aside for a moment and looked at the other ability tomes I found.

You have acquired a basic ability tome: Ethereal arrow. You  have the necessary skill: Summoning, to learn this ability. This ability tome is a single-use item.

You have acquired a basic ability tome: Summon Elemental. With this ability, a summoner is able to conjure an elemental from fire, air, or light magic to do their bidding. The elemental will repsond to commands from the summoner. You do not have the necessary skill: Summoning rank 2, to learn this ability. This ability tome is a single-use item.

As I read the descriptions, I realized that I had a choice. I could either become a ranged player—difficult to reach and deadly from a distance—or I could invest in being a closer-range fighter and use magic to enhance that.

I thought about my celestial companion. “What do you think, Ada? Long-range or close up fighting?”

“I prefer close range,” the celestial said. “But it’s your choice in the end, Elana.”

I thought about what she said before I responded. “How would you like to learn a new ability?”

“I always love to learn,” she said wryly.

Taking her response as a yes, I willed my intention to the Game.

You have learned the basic spell: Ethereal arrow. This spell summons an arrow made of fire magic. The casting time is near instantaneous and drains mana as it is cast. The arrow shoots in the direction that the player wills it when it appears. This ability can be upgraded. You have 1 out of 2 Magic ability slots remaining.

Adalinda has learned the basic ability: Hand of Fury. This ability allows the user to infuse their hands with fire, light, or air magic. The damage done by the user is increased based on the corresponding magic’s skill level.

“Thank you, El,” the celestial said.

Unfortunately I could not yet learn to summon an elemental, but with ethereal arrow in my arsenal, I could rank it up to learn that ability too. It was undoubtedly something I would want to learn.

Satisfied with my new skills and abilities, I turned to my remaining attribute points. I had to give this some thought, because it was apparent that I would need more Magic skill slots in the future. I had four points to work with, and I decided to spread them as I needed.

Your Magic has increased to 5. Celestial trait triggered! Core skills and attributes mirrored.

Your Constitution has increased to 1. Celestial trait triggered! Core skills and attributes mirrored.

I took in a deep breath of relief. Even though our assault on the Devil’s hideout had resulted in some difficult consequences, at least the items we found proved to be serviceable to advancing my power.

But I was not the only one who benefited from our battles.

Adalinda’s Strength has increased to 4 and her Constitution has increased to 6.

“I think this works for me,” my companion said when she saw how I used her points.

Our work had been done. I looked at the bag of Class stones Soren left lying on the floor next to his bed. For now, I would leave them alone. I still knew too little about the Game and its mechanics to comfortably make a choice in my second Class. Besides, I wasn’t even sure any of them would be beneficial to me.

I put the remaining books and the stones back in my backpack. When I finished, I stood up and walked to my companions. “What are you two chatting about?”

“Not much right now,” Soren said. “But we have a plan for escaping the city.”

“Oh, you do?” I asked.

“Well, we tried to think of all our possible solutions,” Alon said. “And we think we should go to the Raccoons.”