Requesting the blueprint, Emma grinned with excitement as she slid the parchment containing the staff's specifications over to Alex. "According to this, it is a blueprint for an epic level, triple-banded sorcerer's staff in one of my loremaster books! It's called the Staff of the Four Winds or as legends would know it, Aria's Grace. I won't be able to have high enough crafting skill to make it myself even if I switched to the subclass of blacksmith but I was hoping with your master blacksmith ability you could?"
Alex studied the ornate blueprints depicting a slender elmwood staff with three shimmering bands of engraved silver and copper winding around it from top to bottom. The bands swirled with delicate leaf and vine filigree.According to the description, when powered with the proper reagents, the staff allowed casting of wind-based spells that normally required group ritual magic. Spells included Whirlwind, Cyclone, and Summon Storm Elemental."Hmm,What Emma and Alex had in mind to do was popularly known as “Wild Steal". This term was coined after stronger players of a certain set of players would wait for one side which they felt was stronger to take most of the heat and then they would find ways to use their dwindling health as a disadvantage then take the wild boss before they landed the final hit.Three teams were hunting the wild boss Za'gul the Ever-Hungering, they formed a triangle boxing the hulking aberration. Massive serrated pincers gnashed as its soulless white eyes fixed upon the forces assembled around, flanking it ensuring it could not escape. This epic confrontation had taken three of the best squads in each guild and coordination between Elysium Quest's three elite guild squadrons. To the north stood the warriors of The Silver Lion Brigade in gleaming steel-grey armor with cobalt tabards bearing their heraldry. "Steady yourselves!" bellowed their gruff commander Sir Aeri
These were the only ways the battle analysts could figure out its attacks but many were still caught in the crossfire before they would manage to escape. Sometimes, those behind retreating would cause others to flatter because they missed moving at the right time giving Za'gul the perfect timing to hit on them.The Silver Lions suffered greatly but with the help from their partners in the Arcanum Lumiosa and their powerful revive skill, they were able to keep the battle at a steady pace.One would wonder why they would go through the stress of fighting this aberration if it felt so difficult to conquer why not leave sleeping dogs lie? Well the answer to that was pretty simple ‘Loot’.The loot that came from Za’gul's body was something to die for. Once in a month was a very long period for players to wait, so before the respawning time, guilds would make deals with one another to take down the aberration.The loot from the beast was something to di
Triaos immediately contacted the Rhazuul leader of the Arcanum Lumiosa.“Guild Leader, we have a problem” the urgency in Triaos voice was passed over the communication.Rhazuul who wasn't actively fighting, answered immediately "Triaos, you were merely given a small branch to coordinate. Why are you calling me? Don't you have an inkling how busy I am right now? Make sure those mobs don't get past you and interrupt this fight with Za’gul” Rhazuul rudely responds to the call coming from Triaos.Triaos on the other side was stunned hearing Rhazuul’s response. He had played for Arcanum Lumiosa for the past six months, but since he was fixed under Rhazuul's branch, he had been on the brink of explosion.“Leader Rhazuul, our healing mages have been hexed, the members of the Shadows Syndicate have also been hexed, they are currently attacking those from Silver Lions and the battle ground is becoming chaotic. We need help I'm controlling them else the mob
Venom the leader of The Shadows Syndicate suddenly received a call when she took a break to regain her mana and health.“Commander, we've been trying to reach you for a while now" the voice sounded out of breath.“Calm down" Venom said "Explain the situation”."Yes Commander. We suddenly stared getting attacks from the Arcanum Lumiosa. They have wiped more than half the 1000 troops that were on the watch out for respawned mobs along side the substitute troops that would join the battle, we are currently evading attacks firm both sides, because the Silver Lions are also attacking us”.Venom folded a fist in pent up anger as her underling finished the reports. She was so furious that if she were on her own she was going to teach both Rhazuul and Aerindor a bitter lesson.Turning to the resting spot of Arcanum Lumiosa Venom yelled at Rhazuul “Rhazuul, you damned pig, how dare you attack my people on the watch? You think you are might and powerful? If there wasn't an agreement signed with
Aerindor, Venom and Rhazuul were locked in a faceoff, and due to the power of the lightening strike Rhazuul commanded, the attention it drew caused a pause in the attacks of their teams.The battle analysts unlike other players were non combatant and they used classes that allowed them move easily in the battle field to observe and make adjustments when needed so this also reflects that they would need a class that uses cloth armor such as “Rogue Class’ or ‘Thief class’.These two classes bosted of speed, agility and their ability to escape from battle. The battle analysts were usually the first to escape in any battle to avoid losing levels for two reasons.Firstly, grinding back levels was something that was draining and painfully, and there was no way someone else could use you account to power level the character, so everything would have to be done by the players.Secondly, they made use of the best armor that added to spe
“Za'gul?" it was at that moment Venom and Rhazuul discovered that Za'gul whom they had spent a lot of time and resources hunt wasn't in the location anymore.“Whoever did this is trying to move him away" Aerindor said, boiling in anger as placed his shield on his back.“Sub-Class Skill; tracker" he said with bloodshot eyes._____________When the gas filled the entire area, Alex began launching attacks from the rail gun towards the Battle Analysts and Clerics. Those caught within the poison were already ruled off. They were sure to get taken out by Za'gul so he concentrated fire on the others. The Clerics were wide open to attacks, with tow cannon shots from the Railgun, they had been wiped out, the battle analysts were the only ones who gave them tough time because of their mobility but they were all struck down before Alex actively changed his attention to Za'gul.Za'gul whose initial health was almost two million had been whi
The angry roars of Za'gul only gave Alex joy.“Come on, buddy we just got started. There's a whole lot more where that came from, would you love to see another skill? Why am I even asking? I'm pretty sure you do" Alex said laughing.Za'gul roared even louder, almost like it clearly understood Alex was taunting it and he charged forward again this time much faster and aggressive than it previously did.“Oh, oh, oh.” Alex laughed wildly as he was starting to enjoy the battle "This is gonna be fun”Za'gul who's four skills Alex had already observed were nothing but child's play to him so he just simple evaded while Za'gul used Rage to close the gap between them.“Time for another skill. What do you think Za'gul the Ever Hungry?" Alex taunted the angry beast.Preparing to use the second attack in his arsenal, ‘Avalanche Strike’ a skill from the armor Drakina Hail Guard.Fending off Za'gul's horrific snapping mandibles with w
“Whew, that almost got me. It suddenly shri led and caught me unaware. Well, I guess it's time I stop playing games" Alex said as he prepared to use his final attack.While Za'gul got frenzied, it made a sacrifice. For wild beasts, their survival was everything if they couldn't find a way out, they would sacrifice some parts of themselves to make a way out.Za'gul actually thought Alex was a push over that was the reason why it decided to sacrifice it's size and become smaller to gain speed and take out it's target unexpectedly but its decision came bouncing back at it.After shrinking, it sacrificed another 150,000 health points leaving it with 250,000 points. 250,000 health points could be wiped out in a single attack.“Alright, let's end this Za'gul. Don't take it personal but you have something I need and I just can't allow other guilds to take it. It's pretty important to me so pardon me”.Alex
Despite the dozens of armed militants encircling him, weapons aimed squarely at his center of mass, Alex refused to be cowed. His expression hardened into a mask of determination."Enough of these games!" he shouted, voice reverberating off the warehouse's steel rafters. "I want to see the one who set me on this merry chase. The so-called 'Agent Three' who's been jerking me around from the start."His words hung heavier in the air than their seeming bravado might imply. The combat-garbed soldiers shifted uneasily, tightening their firing grips in response to his overt demand.Then, that same electronically distorted voice crackled over the PA system once more."Stand down." The words may as well have been etched in permafrost for the glacial chill of authority they carried.Instantly, the agitated perimeter detail froze, their aim wavering fractionally. Alex didn't flinch, eyes locked dead ahead as a solitary figure detached from the shad
The next two days passed in a frenetic blur for Alex as he poured over every permutation and variable surrounding their imminent infiltration of the Crypt Keeper's inner sanctum. Scouring the sisters' reconnaissance data, he meticulously mapped out contingencies for any obstacles or hostilities they may encounter.Infiltration vectors, aerial approach trajectories, fallback rendezvous points in case they were split up - Alex left no contingency unaccounted for in his operational plan. He would allow for no untamed variables that could jeopardize their chances of success and survival.Only once he was satisfied with the tactical framework did he finally turn his focus to the long game - the delicate situation involving their other...competitors angling for possession of the mythical Crown of Asteria.Leaning back in his chair with a weary sigh, Alex picked up the phone which Agent Three had initially given him and dialed the only number on it. It took a few
Kalthia's bold declaration rang with an edge of thinly veiled menace that sent a subtle thrill down Alex's spine. He couldn't help but allow a confident smile to spread across his features. With these two ancient draconic powerhouses united alongside him, mustering the unstoppable force necessary to overcome any obstacles suddenly seemed well within their grasp. All the pieces were falling into place."Good, I'm counting on that." Alex glanced between the sisters meaningfully. "Because after reviewing these reconnaissance reports, I'll need to implement the next phase of my stratagem sooner than expected."Extending his senses inward, he focused on a data connection he had carefully constructed to code manipulated data concerning a certain interested party. A few complex subroutine commands later, and an encrypted packet of randomized reports and map imagery began generating.With this, the data for the Seekers operatives was prepared and with this they would think they were getting a
Alex looked between Kalthia and Kelthia, seeing their attentions fully locked on him now in anticipation of his plan to infiltrate the Crypt Keeper's Mountain Temple and steal the legendary Healing Crown of Asteria.He took a deep breath before laying out the initial stages. "First thing's first - I need for us to do is pinpoint the exact location of this temple for me. Provide any details you can about its defenses, the terrain around it, everything."The sisters exchanged a look. Kelthia gave a slight nod. "That much I can readily supply. The Crypt Keeper's domain is a treacherous region, wreathed in obscuring mistrals and guarded by wards most foul.""But for dragons such as ourselves, piercing its veil of secrecy is well within our abilities," Kalthia added, a note of confidence edging her tone.Alex nodded in satisfaction. "Good. Once I have that locational data and mapping, I can start planning out the safest route for approach and infiltration."He fixed them both with a resolu
Kalthia seemed to seethe silently at Alex's boldness in the face of the dragonslayer threat. He seemed to undermine the abilities. The dark shadows writhed more intensely around her human form."You dismiss their danger far too lightly, boy," she said in a low, dangerous tone. "These are not mere obstacles to overcome, but an extinction-level peril to everything we are. Don't you understand that?"Alex held her smoldering gaze, undeterred. "Then we'd better be prepared to face them when the time comes. Because they won't be the ones to stop us from our quest - and I repeat, not if I have any say about it."An icy pause lingered in the grand hall after Alex's defiant declaration. Kalthia stared at him like she was looking at a totally deaf fool seemingly dumbstruck that he would still push forward with their plans after learning about the dragonslayers and the other dangers it posses to them."You cannot be serious," the Umbra Dragon said at last,
“Now that we have taken care of the in-house fighting, there are some things we need to get done.”Alex looked the sisters deep in the eye. He needed to know if they were ready for what he was going to say next.“I would need you both to help me out with something and once this is done, we would start our journey, it's going to be a very long road but I have this hope we would get there" Alex couldn't just tell them that he had almost all the information from millions of dragons who had lived and died. He was like a walking data bank for dragons and the system made it far easier for him to process things.“Leave?" Kalthia asked, “We just can't do that," she said with a dull expression.Alex was surprised, “We just agreed that we were going to go on a journey that would change our lives and you say you can't leave this area? Then why bother agreeing in the first place?"" Don't get agitated” Kelthia stepped in "I would explain in a rather
"It's about your longevity," Alex began. "I realize even as powerful dragons, you can only live so long naturally."This piqued Kalthia's interest as well. She leaned forward slightly in her shadowy chair. "Are you implying you know of a way for us to extend our lifespans beyond what is possible?"Kelthia's expression was more guarded, but she gave a slight nod. "The strongest of dragonkind may only endure ten to fifteen thousand years before our essence fades. Kalthia and I have already experienced over six millennia.""Which leaves perhaps two or three thousand more years, if we're fortunate enough to live in peace," Kalthia added, somewhat wistfully.Alex nodded seriously. "I understand. But what if I told you there's a way to naturally and safely prolong your life spans much further - without any detrimental backlash?"The two sisters exchanged a startled look. Even for beings as ancient as them, the prospect of cheating their impending demise piqued their curiosity intensely.“No
“Can't you just go see her alone? Whatever you both discuss you can let me know about it later" Kalthia came up with an excuse.Alex paused and looked at her with a side eye. “If I remember clearly, you proudly said there was nothing impossible for you to do, so why are you scared of meeting up with your sister? Moreover, you promised that there was no request you would not answer to and here you are already trying to jump bail over my first request. Tell me how I can trust a word you say in the future?"The words Alex spoke hit Kalthia's pride so hard that her pale skin showed signs of redness in response to his provocation.“You think I'm scared of that Icy lump? If it comes to a fight, I would pin her down over and over again" Kelthia expressed her anger, “In fact, let's get going, even if she has grudges higher than the universe itself, there is no need to be afraid of her”.“Perfect, then I would open up a portal right now" Alex smiled.Seeing Kalthia's reluctance to involve her
Kalthia's booming voice washed over Alex, but he paid it little mind. His eyes were wide, hands patting over his body in disbelief. The dragon's remarks about being flesh and blood barely registered."Legs? Check. Arms? Check. Head? Still attached," Alex muttered under his breath, wiggling his fingers and toes. A broad grin spread across his face as the tingling warmth of draconic essence flowed through him. He could feel every muscle, every hair on his skin. He was here - truly present in this fantastical world in a corporeal form."I...I made it. My actual self is in Elysium!" he exclaimed, clenching his fists in excitement. Kalthia watched him bemusedly as Alex stretched and bent, testing his physical mobility and sensations. Her prodigy seemed utterly absorbed in marveling at his own tangible existence here."This is amazing! If I can travel between realms like this..." Alex's voice trailed off as the implications dawned on him. He looked up at the dragon determinedly."I just n