Seeds of Discordia

Uncle Naro stared at Artem after he had revealed to him what he had picked up along with the Field of Barriers. He didn’t have his usual smile, nor did he look upset. Instead he had a neutral expression, barring anyone from knowing what was going on in his mind.

This had brought silence to everyone. They didn’t expect this kind of reaction. While Artem waited to hear what the bear of a man wanted to say, they did as well. However, they stood by his side showing their unity. Even Gimmel, who was usually unsure of where to stand, stood with them.

Uncle Naro took note of this as he looked them over. As his eyes landed back on Artem he started, “It looks like everyone was aware of you making this choice…”

“Not entirely true,” Artem interrupted. He didn’t know why, but he felt like he needed to clarify it. “Mercer knew I was on the fence and what Field it was. The others only know the reason why I didn’t come to you and ask.”

Uncle Naro raised a brow. “Oh? May I ask why you didn’t come to me and ask?”

The tone in his voice slightly startled Artem. It wasn’t one that sounded angry. Instead, to him, it was full of curiosity and interest to learn why. This made Artem feel slightly uncomfortable. Not in a bad way, but rather one where a child felt like they should have discussed a choice that affected their future with their parent before making it themselves.

Artem didn’t like that feeling. He swallowed and replied, “First, I would like to say that I am grateful you are helping us with carving a path for our growth and class evolutions. While following your instructions on looking into our starting classes and more I came across some information that I found could help me with an aspect of my abilities.”

As Artem stopped to gauge Uncle Naro’s reaction he noticed the man nodded, encouraging him to continue. “That aspect was my healing. I have two abilities that are aura based. One is from my Actual Field of the Healer and the other is my Zodiac ability, Healer’s Territory – Absolute Restore. After coming across the material on Field of Forces and seeing there was a Focus Point on Aura Force, I thought it might be helpful to my abilities. Plus after creating the Healing Sphere and Aqua Sphere and you instructing me on focusing my practicing with them towards auras…I just thought it would be a good fit.”

Artem’s momentum was starting to slow as he got to the end of his last sentence. He wasn’t sure if he had a sound argument with picking the Field of Study and Uncle Naro’s unchanging expression didn’t help at all.

After a few seconds, waiting to see if Artem would continue or not, Uncle Naro asked, “Alright…But I still would like to know why you didn’t come to me and ask about it.”

Artem gulped. He took a couple of breaths, trying to steal his resolve. After he felt he had enough resolve he said, “Because I felt that it was something I needed to decide for myself. I didn’t want to feel like my choice on the field was decided by someone else and that I had control of my own path.”

Uncle Naro’s face finally showed a reaction. It confused everyone because what he did wasn’t what they had expected. Uncle Naro had grinned. He then let out a loud belly aching laugh as he said, “Well done.”

Slightly stunned, everyone stared at the man.

“You’re…you’re not mad or upset?” Artem asked.

“Mad or upset?” Uncle Naro repeated. “Why would I be?”

“Be…Because I didn’t come to you first or ask for your opinion,” Artem stated.

“You know for an Orc, a Half-Orc even, you’re pretty meek and self-conscious,” Uncle Naro suddenly stated. He then shook his head and replied, “I have no reason to be mad or upset. Your path is your own. If you wish to seek my advice or go about it on your own. It’s your call. I am just simply helping where I can and if you take that help is on you. Please do not think I am trying to control how you grow. I am simply trying to give you ideas on how to grow without you stumbling into walls as you do. The training I give you is only a courtesy I am giving due to out of respect to my little Crafter disciple. That and I took a liking to you all. I won’t be offended if you decide to make your own choices or refuse to take on the training I give you.”

Artem let out a sigh of relief.

“I will say that it was wise of you to get that Field. A little soon for what I had planned, but I did think to advise that Field of Study to you eventually,” Uncle Naro informed. “For you to come across it and make that decision on your own shows you are really taking your ideals into consideration.”

That bit of praise made Artem feel good.

Uncle Naro looked at everyone else and asked, “Did anyone else get anything we didn’t discuss? Or feels the same as Artem here?”

No one said a word. Liam eyed Avery for a brief moment but didn’t linger in fear his looking at her would bring about an unpleasant situation. Instead, he figured he would ask her in private when Uncle Naro wasn’t around. Which would be soon since Uncle Naro insisted everyone go back to the Mage Tower and practice their more destructive Magics there.

Gimmel decided not to go with everyone. He opted to still work and get more familiarized with his puppets in the forest. After they had made their way back to building and procured a room for them all, Liam approached Avery.

Before he could ask his question, Avery brought a hand up to stop him and said, “I know what you want to ask. It has to do why I didn’t say anything about my Field of Blood and the fact that I had also gotten Field of Force.”

Liam nodded.

“Like with how you haven’t mentioned to him about your Shadow or Lunar Magic, my Blood Magic I recently found out is something I shouldn’t flaunt around,” Avery informed.

Everyone looked at her at those words.

Avery noticed and let out a sigh. “I can’t really tell anyone why, but what I can say is it doesn’t have the best reputation and is tied to a few things not so…pretty.”

Liam remained quiet as he hoped she would elaborate more on it. Avery saw the look in his eyes and decided to acquiesce as she let out a sigh, “First of all, remember when I was afraid that with the magic I would turn into a Vampire, or it was associated to Vampires?”

Liam nodded, remembering that conversation.

“Well, the place I appeared at when we all got separated when leaving the Tutorial Area had some information I came across about my Blood Magic,” Avery continued. “Apparently people don’t take too kindly to it due to the stories of those who had the field previously.”

“What do you mean stories of those who had the field previously?” Liam asked.

“Well, the majority of the stories I came across always lead to two things depending on how you received the Field of Blood,” Avery said. “The first method, and quite frankly I agree why people don’t view the Field of Blood so kindly, is through acts of drinking the killed enemies blood.”

Ariyana’s face went pale as looks of disgusts appeared on everyone’s faces.

“That is disgusting,” Artem stated.

“Please tell me you’re joking right?” Ariyana questioned.

Avery shook her head. “I wish I was. For the longest time people believed that was the only way to get the field. Many who wanted that field would partake in this ritual until finally they received it, however, what they didn’t know was…there was a price taking that route.”

Liam’s eyes widened. “You don’t mean…”

Avery nodded her head. “They would have a crave for blood. The urges for it would happen even outside of dungeons. It would get so bad that they would kill innocent people for it. And eventually after consuming more and more of it their race would transform them into a Vampire.”

Everyone stared at her. They were both dumbfounded and appalled at the thought of people willingly drinking blood to the point of it making them kill people for more just to satisfy their hunger.

“What about the other one?” Mercer asked.

“Hm?” Avery muttered. “Ah the other one is it is linked to a Clan that actually receives the field as a racial benefit.”

Liam looked at Avery. “Like the Crimson Elves?”

Avery stared at Liam for a long moment. With a sad look she shook her head. “No. The Crimson Elves are more fire based in nature than blood.”

Everyone looked at her again, confused by this information.

“But you received it when your race was revealed right?” Artem asked.

“Yes. I thought it was a racial benefit as well, but the actual race that receives it as a racial benefit is an old and powerful one. One that apparently hasn’t been seen in a New Arrival…at least not that I know of.”

Liam contemplated what she was saying. So the reason why she didn’t want to reveal her Field of Blood was because people would think she drank her enemies blood in order to get it. She could argue that she received it when her race was revealed, but without her having the actual race that it coincides with, no one would believe her.

“So what do you plan on doing then?” Liam asked.

“What do you mean?” Avery inquired.

“I mean you have the Field of Blood. We know you didn’t receive it through nefarious means,” Liam said as he pointed to everyone here. “Are you going to refuse it and not use it? Or are you going to let it grow and become part of your arsenal?”

Avery looked at him like he was an idiot. “I’m going to grow it of course. I just figured I’d practice it when there weren’t prying eyes like I assumed you were going to do.”

Liam smiled at her.

“By the way, why didn’t you tell Naro you had Shadow and Lunar Magic? Also that you already received a Class evolution?” Avery asked.

“All three are complicated matters,” Liam stated. He then explained everything he had found out through Eri and Vesely on their respected matters and knowledge. He also informed them what he had discovered about his new Class abilities and what he had made.

They all looked surprised and interested in what he had said about his discoveries. Mercer was concerned about his reveal on his only method of replenishing his Spirit Pool and that he needed to collect the Spirit Orbs to both replenish and use for his class abilities.

“So then we’ll need to make sure that you can collect the Spirit Orbs when Naro isn’t around right?” Mercer asked.

Liam nodded. He then explained to them the plan he and Eri had made to hide his Shadow Magic and why it was necessary for him to learn this Crafter Battle Style from Uncle Naro. As he went into this he decided to tell them that he was a part of an underground association, but he couldn’t tell them what due to security issues. Security being Silky.

They all agreed it was wise he didn’t tell them everything and that they understood if he had to disappear every now and then when visiting cities or towns. Mercer looked like he was going to explode since his curiosity was getting the better of him on this underground association, but he redirected it to a new question.

“What about your Lunar Magic and Spirit Weaver abilities?” Mercer asked.

Liam stared at him. While he could use Spirit Weaver for his Fiddler’s Spider Web his other Class abilities were just sitting there. The same could be said about his Lunar Magic. He didn’t want to have it be left in the dust as his other abilities grew. After thinking it over he looked at Mercer and just shrugged.

“To be honest, until I can figure out when and where I can openly use them…I will just have to stick to places like this and dungeons no one can see me to use them and practice them,” Liam replied. “In certain dungeons and situations I will probably still use my affliction spells because they are too good to not use them, but for the most part I am going to try and master what I learn from Uncle Naro so I can play the part.”

“Seems like a wise choice,” Mercer stated. “Speaking of your Class abilities…can I see it in action. The Soul Crafting that is.”

Everyone turned to look at him, curious and wanting to see it as well.

“Alright, I guess I can show you,” Liam said.

Liam activated his Mobile Crafter and chose the Blacksmithing option. A small Blacksmithing workshop like area appeared in the place he chose was a good place. Stones began to push up and form into a small domed forge with a chimney. A second area had formed into a flatter version of the domed forged as an anvil appeared in between the two. A small area close by the flattened forge had pushed down making a small pit. Liam’s face scrunched as he thought about what would normally go in that pit close by the Smelter.

Before he went to start the fire in the forge he looked at everyone and said, “Before I light it up I want to show you the difference between the flames. First is my regular Light and Burn spell.”

He chanted the Light and Burn spell and created a regular small flame on the palm of his hand.

“Yes, yes, we all know what a regular flame looks like,” Roman commented. “Show us what we really want to see.”

Liam shook his head and smirked as Ariyana appeared behind him and smacked the Kitsune behind the head. He shook his head before looking back at his Blacksmithing area and guided the flame into the forge, lighting it up. He took in a deep breath and as he slowly let it out he closed his eyes. He activated his Phantom Sight as he opened his eyes, making everyone’s gazes fall right on them.

“What?” He asked as he looked at them.

“Your eyes,” Ariyana started.

“What about them?” Liam asked as he raised a brow.

“They are glowing a beautiful ghastly green,” Mercer replied, seeming entranced by them.

“Are they?” Liam asked, confused, and concerned about that. If his eyes glowed that color then he definitely needed to be careful when using this ability.

“Yeah,” Avery said in almost a whisper.

Liam stared at her for a while. When he realized what he was doing he let out a cough and looked back at the forge. “Well, that’s good to know. I didn’t realize they did that. I’ll have to be more careful in the future.”

Mercer and the others nodded.

Liam took in another breath as he readied himself once more. When he was ready he whispered, “Anima Forge.”

Everyone watched as lines of ghastly green smoke poured out of his body as it ran up to his shoulders and down his arms. Liam, not paying attention to any of them, focused as he guided the smoke towards the forge. He made sure to guide the smoke to the base of the flame and reenacted what he did last time when he succeeded.

To everyone’s surprise and amazement, the color of the flame had turned from the familiar reddish orange color they knew fire to have and start to darken to a blue then to a dark green before matching the same color of his ghastly green eyes.

When it completed its transformation an eerie and warm feeling pulsed out from it shocking everyone.

Liam cut off the smoke, knowing he had successfully activated his Anima Forge. He was award with a notification telling him the ability leveled, which made him smile. He then looked at everyone and asked, “Alright now that the forge is ready…who wants to see me make a Soul Core?”

Everyone lifted their hand at once, which made Liam chuckle at the sight. “I guess you’re all eager to see this at play?”

“Uh yeah,” Roman stated as he swiftly looked at Ariyana to make sure she wasn’t around him.

Liam chuckled at Roman before looking back at his Anima Forge. He then gripped his Spectral Lantern as it manifested itself by his hip. He pulled it away from his body and focused on the Soul Orbs within. As he went through the list of Soul Orbs he decided to make a Soul Core from a creature he had recently fought before coming to this new place.

The glass door on one of the side opened up and a small Soul Orb floated out, making everyone surprised. He realized they had always seen him suck the Soul Orbs within his Spectral Lantern but never seen him pull one out.

Turning his attention back to the material he chose he looked and assessed it.

[Flawed Soul Orb of an Orb Weaver Trapper Toxo. Item Type – Crafting Material (Spirit).]

Nodded at the material, Liam pulled up the notification he needed to begin the process of creating a Soul Core.

[Soul Core Creation. Please pick the main component you wish to use in order to craft a Soul Core Orb.]

Liam mentally chose the Flawed Soul Orb of an Orb Weaver Trapper Toxo and read the next notification.

[Main Component chosen: Flawed Soul Orb of an Orb Weaver Trapper Toxo. Materials Required: 10 Spider type Soul Orbs or 10 Toxo related Soul Orbs. Materials Available: Flawed Soul Orb of an Orb Weaver Trapper Toxo x 35, Flawed Soul Orb of the Toxo Body Infiltrator x 27, Flawed Soul Orb of the Toxo Corpse Controller x 22, Flawed Soul Orb of the Toxo Disease Spider Carriers x 30. Please select 10 Soul Orbs you wish to use in crafting the Soul Core Orb.]

Like last time, Liam noticed the colors and the words next to each option of materials. Each option of material to use had the word compatible, except for the Flawed Soul Orb of an Orb Weaver Trapper Toxo. That one had the words Very Compatible next to it with a dark green color. The other options were different. While they had the words Compatible they were a light green.

“Must be because they are Spider and Toxo materials but not the same Soul Orbs as the main component,” Liam muttered to himself as he mentally clicked on ten of the Flawed Soul Orb of an Orb Weaver Trapper Toxo. After doing so another notification popped up.

[Soul Core Creation: Main Component – Flawed Soul Orb of an Orb Weaver Trapper Toxo. Materials selected to forge: Flawed Soul Orb of an Orb Weaver Trapper Toxo x 10. Soul Power needed to craft: 10 S.P. Chances to increase Attributes of final Product: 100%. Would you like to start the process to craft Soul Core Orb? Yes No?]

Liam smiled. He got the answer he was wondering about during his first attempt at making a Soul Core. If the Soul Orbs were Very Compatible then the chances of the Attributes increasing were a hundred percent. He mentally accepted and readied himself for the next part.

As soon as he accepted, he felt his Spectral Lantern hum. The main component he chose floated towards the middle of the Soul Flame inside the Anima Forge. Everyone watched with wrapped fascination as ten more Soul Orbs escaped from the Spectral Lantern before the door closed. Each of the Soul Orbs made their way in front of him, before going inside the Anima Forge. Each new Soul Orb that had entered the forge didn’t enter the flame like the main component. Instead, they floated and slowly spun around the main component above the flame.

They watched as ghastly green smoke poured out of Liam’s body once more and made its way in a thin line down his arms and to his hands. They noticed that this time the smoke didn’t move towards the flame or any predestined areas. Instead, it rolled off the palms of his hands and slowly disappeared like fog dispersing.

Once the ghastly smoke started doing this he focused on manipulating and guiding the spirit smoke into the burning forge. Remembering what he needed to do, he thinned the smoke and started the process of filling each Soul Orb within the Forge.

Everyone watched as Liam worked on his crafting project. They were amazed and shocked at what they were seeing. How the ghastly green smoke moved about within the Anima Forge. They held their breath afraid that if they made any noise they would ruin Liam’s concentration and thus failing in crafting the Soul Core.

As much as Mercer wanted to keep watching the process of how Liam made this, his attention was brought to the man himself. To be exact, his attention was on his eyes. The ghastly green eyes that glowed had a small thin trail of smoke rolling off from the corner of his eye lids. Not only that, but they were pulsing.

He didn’t know what that meant. He was both fascinated by this as well as concerned for his friend. That he knew of this whole Soul Crafting was new territory. While he knew Liam loved to craft and loved to make new things, he wasn’t sure if this Soul Crafting was safe. Especially if it was making his eyes pulse a ghastly green while allowing some sort of smoke to leak out.

Before he could think more on the issue, Mercer heard a gasp which made his look back at the Anima Forge. He realized he had missed a lot because the ten Soul Orbs that were floating around the eleventh Soul Orb shattered before the only Soul Orb started to spin. The flame inside the Anima Forge started to brighten making it hard for everyone to see what was going on.

Liam, who realized while the flame was brightening that he was an idiot for forgetting to wear his goggles, squinted, but didn’t close his eyes entirely. He focused really hard on the product he was making, making sure he didn’t mess up. After a while he finally reached the end, which brought the brightness of the flame down allowing everyone to see the final product.

Liam reached inside and pulled the product out and placed it on the anvil as chime sounds echoed in his mind bringing forth a few notifications.

[Congratulations! You have successfully crafted Soul Core Orb – Orb of an Orb Weaver Trapper Toxo!]

[Orb of an Orb Weaver Trapper Toxo – Filled. Item Rarity – Uncommon. Item Quality – Flawed. Description – An orb filled with the soul of an Orb Weaver Trapper Toxo. Usages: Bind this Orb into a piece of equipment or item to give it + 10% to attacks, + 10% to poisons, + 15% to Trapping Abilities.]

[Congratulations! Non-Combat ability – Spirit Channeling has reached Level 2! Progression 3: 0%!]

[Congratulations! Non-combat ability – Spirit Control has reached Level 2! Progression to level 3: 0%!]

[Congratulations! Non-combat ability – Spirit Control has reached Level 2! Progression to level 3: 0%!]

Everyone stared at the object sitting on the anvil. They were fascinated, amazed, and even awestruck by it. All of that quickly turned to shock and fright when Liam scared them by pulling out a Soul Orb and using Devour on it right by their faces.