Unchosen Champion

The Void Queen’s shield undulated with energy after the ethereal morning star smashed against the surface a second time. Ripples scattered all the way around the protective layer, blurring the inside while light was pushed to the edges. The pointed spikes of the mist-formed mace pinned the shield in place, concentrating the immense force of Coop’s attack, and threatened to puncture the shadowy magical defense.

The void energy flexed beneath the pressure, allowing the blunt-force of the mace to reach the edge of the shield, denting the surface, and transferring some of the energy into the injured undead Herald of Cosmos. The ripples on the shield were smoothed out by a single much larger wave that ran across the outer layer before scattering as it collided with itself on the back side of the Elite Void Queen.

The minion of the Lich struggled to escape after collapsing. Despite the protection of the shield, the pressure of Coop’s assault was too much for her to resist. Coop raised the morning star above his head, in a familiar motion that had universally foreshadowed an inescapable destruction.

Clouds of void mana wafted around the pair of combatants as the ethereal mace descended upon the Elite Void Queen and blasted even more energy out of the shield. The first droplets of rain trailed the meteoric strike, adding gentle taps to the enormous blow of the mace and further blurring the barrier. Coop welcomed the rain, glad to have it cleanse the stinking mushroom flesh that had splattered against his armor.

Streaks appeared in the clouds of dark green smoke that drifted across the top of the temple as the rain picked up. Rather than Fog of War, a mist of undead mana had coalesced, intensifying with each time Coop struck a shield or eradicated a minion, saturating the atmosphere. The Council of Cultists had expended significant energy in their battle, but in the end, they only empowered the Revenant.

Coop dismissed his ethereal morning star, resummoning it in favor of the much heavier version, with its density maximized, as the humidity finally broke into a proper shower. The impossibly dense, pressurized mace that he had first utilized against the Tidesinger’s water orbs within the Cathedral of Tides was making another appearance.

Coop’s arms were already braced behind his head as the heavy morning star manifested in his hands. Every muscle in his body worked, from his fingers to his forearms, through his shoulders, across his chest, down his torso, and into the sturdy base that his legs established as he dragged the weapon down. He grunted with effort, holding his breath, and the impossibly dense weapon plunged through the death mana and crashed into the void shield with a thump that reverberated all the way to the edges of the jungle beyond the settlement.

The shield held, but the Void Queen had no choice but to collapse beneath the weight of the blow, flattened against the bottom of the crater she now resided within.

Coop dismissed the mace, raised his empty arms back into the air, and resummoned the incredibly heavy version, not wasting time with the effort of lifting the manifestation a second time. It was faster to simply let the mists reform in the air than to fight gravity and perform an olympic lift to reload the immense mace. He intended to make the crater her final resting place.

The ethereal morning star descended upon the Void Queen with an inevitability that personified the Revenant’s default combat style. A second deep thump crossed the settlement and the shield finally snapped under the pressure. Like crushing a smoke-filled egg with a hammer, as soon as the shell broke, the undead Void Queen was no more.

Coop glowed as he whipped his head toward the Lich, receiving another three levels with the final individual victory. 12 total levels wasn’t nearly enough to satisfy him.

Chakyum paid him no mind, eyes fixed on the hazy death-tinged horizon as he floated a dozen feet in the air with a thousand shadowy hands lifting him with a squirming mass of fingers. The rain battered his shield while it cleansed the dark green and black tinged smoke from the small eruptions every time Coop tried to force his way through the minions.

The temple itself was in shambles, scattered with craters, piles of rubble, burn marks, and stained with muddy spores that were slowly washing away in the rain, turning the drainage thick and black as it fell down the stairs. Coop had fully unleashed on the council. For the first time in a while, he had tested the overall limits of his class rather than one single specialization. He had demonstrated the true strength of his Revenant build, where he had elevated the baseline of everything beyond reason. Whether it was a competition of strength, speed, firepower, or defense, Coop could rise to the occasion, and more pointedly, he could do it all simultaneously. His back flexed as he reveled in the feeling.

In the distance, the war had fully reignited. The Jaguar Sun’s combined war host fought with a skeletal legion as every Oathsworn member of the Cult of Chakyum, past and present, was resurrected as a brainless minion of the Lich. The Yucatan settlement was embroiled in desperate conflict as the skeletons rushed into the jungle or Jaguar Warriors erupted from vegetation and brought the fight to the streets.

Coop hesitated for the few seconds it took to glance at his notifications, check his skill options, and gather himself before committing to his challenge against the Lich. The leader of the Cult of Chakyum was distracted by the ongoing war.

[You defeated Fractured Hivemind (Level 386)]

[+50,082 Basic Credits]

[Congratulations! You have leveled up!]

[Congratulations! You have leveled up!]

The undead Swarm Priest had been the first to be defeated, revealing that the Cult’s hold on experience had finally ended. Coop could only assume it was due to the completion of the ritual that culminated with the Lich revealing his current power level. If it wasn’t for Coop’s interference they would have just continued hoarding experience, but his participation in the Jaguar Sun’s campaign had threatened the Undead Chosen enough for him to play his hand early. Consequently, Chakyum’s stranglehold on his Oathsworn’s experience was released with their transformations.

[You defeated Wrathful Warden (Level 411)]

[+59,871 Basic Credits]

[Congratulations! You have leveled up!]

[Skill options available.]

[Congratulations! You have leveled up!]

The next of the resurrected High Priests was killed after Coop engaged with the entire contingent of skeletons. The undead Totemic had courageously entered Coop’s domain, and quickly discovered that it was a mistake. Coop battered the skeletal healer-tank, sending him sprawling into the landing zone of one of his terminal velocity heavy spears. Coop was close enough to the next level threshold that he had already unlocked another skill option just as the fight was ramping up.

Coop skipped through the rest of his notifications, confirming that he had a pending skill choice, and merely counting the levels. The only other notable message was that he had received the Speck of Collapsed Star Unique material item granted by the death of the Elite Void Queen. Much like the Zombie Captain on the oil rig, she had been the Undead Chosen’s primary investment. Coop confirmed that he had received a total of 12 levels, but the real bonus was in reaching level 200 after the first few defeats.

He quickly checked his skill options, intending to make his selection with the knowledge that as long as he continued progressing, he could always take another Path in the future. A rushed choice here was worth the risk as long as it helped him defeat the Lich, who he could expect to exceed the combined power of the entire contingent of Undead High Priests. Coop’s three skill choices were between the familiar options of Infusion, Brocken Spectre, and Spirit Link.

He didn’t need to review the skills, already recalling that Infusion would provide him with a reservoir of mists that temporarily prevented the damage and negative effects of wounds. Infusion was the skill that he had hoped to see, already deciding that it was the choice that would double down the most on the Path of the Mistwalker that was currently on. His assessment was proven accurate as selecting Infusion would put him on the Path of the Mistweaver next. It seemed like the natural choice if he was happy with the way his class was developing.

Brocken Spectre was the magical damage ability that would add a follow up attack when he struck targets with his fist while it was active. While Coop had relegated the option to a backup choice previously, concluding that he wouldn’t make too much use of the skill given that he wasn’t particularly reliant on his fists, it wasn’t like he never had an opportunity to punch someone.

Sierra had also revealed the potency of chaining follow up attacks, making Brocken Spectre seem that much more appealing. He could imagine a combat style that incorporated more weaponless melee attacks into his technique. Ignoring how frequently he disarmed himself to execute his custom maneuvers, wielding a one-handed weapon and an empty fist was also an option. Taking Brocken Spectre would put him on the Path of the Battlemage, which was appealing in its own rite. It would essentially clarify his development as a magical battle tank with the durability and firepower that he had constantly built towards.

The third skill, Spirit Link, would empower any of his minions. For now, that only included the phantasms summoned by Legacy of the Mists, but he was sure he would get more options if he ended up on a minion-based path. However, the downside would be that the strength granted to his minions would be taken from himself, proportionally weakening him. He only needed to look at the Lich to see the potential behind such a class. Weakening himself to strengthen millions of his subordinates could transform him into the ghostly general that Legacy had only scratched the surface of. Coop imagined boosting the phalanx of phantoms and found himself enticed. The Path of the Ethermancer awaited him if he decided he wanted to angle toward becoming more of a summoner class. Honestly, after experiencing the power of his phantasms, and already bolstering himself to extreme levels, it wasn’t a completely unappealing choice.

Coop realized he faced a difficult decision. Between the Path of the Mistweaver, Path of the Battlemage, and Path of the Ethermancer, he had appealing choices. A brief glance wasn’t enough for him to commit either way. He wished he could relax underneath a palm tree and really think about the options and plan for the future of his build.

His mind raced with possibilities for a single moment before his body involuntarily reacted, doubling over as he had the breath knocked out of him after being bashed in the sternum. He had another brief moment for his vision to start refocusing through tears as the end of the staff rose and collided with the bridge of his nose. His head flipped back as he stumbled away, struggling to regain his balance before he fell. The seemingly innocuous motions had the weight of thousands of levels behind them.

“Cocky little punk.” The Lich began, retracting his metal staff from its backswing. “Did you think I would let you recover?” Coop was caught off guard, naively believing that the Lich was busy with his own machinations. “It’s far past your time to die.”

The Lich raised his staff and the shadowy hands climbed along the thick metal shaft before melting along its surface, transforming it into a completely different weapon. Dark energy drifted into the air as an impossibly dark blade expanded from the end, turning the mobility aid of the old man into a nasty-looking reaper’s scythe that buzzed with power. Coop couldn’t afford to be distracted.

“You must realize that you have done nothing to damage my plans. I will simply resummon all those who have sworn their Oath to me.” The Lich proclaimed as he stepped forward and Coop regained his poise with a scowl on his face after wiping blood from his nose.

“It’s that easy?” Coop openly wondered while rubbing his chest with the knuckles of his free hand, happy to catch his breath. He looked around at the empty battlefield, decorated with loose debris and wet from the steady rain. He didn’t see any dark portals introducing the Undead High Priests. He glanced back up at the Lich. “Where are they then?” He asked. Coop couldn’t help but be tempted by the prospect of farming them for experience if the Lich would be so cooperative.

“No, it’s not that easy.” The Lich admitted. “But for every special minion I don’t have summoned, I receive a passive bonus that would make you weep knowing your disadvantage. I will summon them after I have moved on from this place.” He concluded.

“Can’t summon them if you’re dead.” Coop pointed out.

The Lich laughed without amusement. “I will certainly add you to my collection.” He reiterated. “Together, we will sweep the world clean and enter the galactic community with the backing of one of the most powerful factions in the known universe. You will stand side-by-side with the others while we will hunt down your sponsor and wipe them from existence for their pathetic attempt at interference.”

“I told you, I’m not sponsored.” Coop responded. Stating that he had no intention of becoming his minion felt unnecessary.

“Bah!” The sickly man started, shifting his scythe in preparation of lunging at Coop.

Coop adjusted his stance, swapping to his shield and spear to contend with the scythe’s range, but before the Lich could continue, he was interrupted by an explosion that shook the temple’s already weakened foundation, sending stones and one of the obelisks bouncing down the side until they splashed into the lake. Both combatants spread their arms to maintain balance.

When the Lich whipped his head toward the massive blast of energy that tore a hole in the dark clouds, Coop leapt forward, smashing the spear into the protective energy shield. Coop understood when it was time to lock-in. It was time. With his goal directly in front of him, the entire world could fall apart and he would continue to pursue it. A gout of mana shot out the other side of the shield and the unmoved Lich leveled his gaze onto Coop. Coop slipped backwards, avoiding any potential counterattacks, catching the scene in his peripheral vision.

The laser was unmistakable. Mateo had summoned the equivalent of an orbital strike straight down upon the towering stone golem that the Jaguar Sun Elites engaged. They had drifted to one of the bridges that connected the temple to the rest of the settlement. Red and purple lightning danced upon the surface of the thermal laser, arcing down, as the Jaguar Elites combined their abilities against their opponent. The resulting explosion sent vibrations throughout the region. It was a necessary reminder that the Cult wasn’t only facing a single individual challenger.

Bits of stone started to fall from the sky, joining the rain. At first they were a mere drizzle of pebbles, but boulders the size of cars also dropped from the sky. They crashed into the lake with dramatic splashes, onto the secondary temples, and among the skeletal army that filled the streets around the settlement, causing further chaos and destruction. A moment later the Deathstalker stepped from one of her black and purple portals, kneeling graciously in front of Chakyum before the pair of combatants could engage with each other. Coop noticed another momentarily complicated expression as she acknowledged that Coop was not only still alive, but he was standing alone against Chakyum himself. It passed so quickly he thought he might have imagined it.

“Master.” She began with a slight slur. Her swollen face suggested that the fight with the Cloud Dancer had not been going her way either. “Lom-Hau has fallen. We should retreat and leave the Jaguar Sun to the minions.” She suggested.

Chakyum scoffed. “Insolent girl! You dare advise your Master?” He angrily replied, letting out some of the frustration he had with Coop on his companion.

The Deathstalker looked up at the Lich, then quickly averted her eyes. “It’s just… I thought because the others are dead I would…”

“Enough thinking.” The Lich cut her off, drifting to the floor while pointing his scythe toward her. “Finish your job.”

“But…I-” The Deathstalker began before stopping herself.

She disappeared, before she offended her master any further. The Lich began casting, obviously summoning the Colossus who had just been defeated. Whatever restriction prevented their repeated resurrections obviously didn’t apply to the first time after their Oath.

Coop shot forward, spear held firmly in his hand as he attempted to interrupt the cast. The Lich didn’t even blink when Coop’s spear thrust into his shield and a gout of death mana shot out the other side. Coop repeated the strike with impeccable form, combining all of the Strength he could muster in a perfectly executed triple thrust. If nothing else, he would be relentless.

The Lich squinted as Coop recoiled, preparing for another set of attacks, but it was already too late. An inhuman roar rocked the settlement as an enormous minion revealed itself from the depths of the lake. The sound was so powerful, the rain fell horizontally while the minion introduced himself. Coop was engulfed by the aura of the summon as it washed over the rest of the settlement.

[Empowered Bone Titan (Level 390)]

[Minion of the Unspeakable]

[(Death-Touched)]

The undead Colossus was even larger than in life, rising until its head and shoulders climbed beyond the top of the temple. If it wasn’t for the depth of the lake, the Bone Titan would have had its shoulders above the clouds.

The Lich chuckled, satisfied with his own abilities. He adjusted his scythe forward, leveling it with Coop’s neck, and welcoming the Revenant’s challenge.