Revenge of the Treacherous Shadow

Bastion, aptly named by many the city of war. Was far from beautiful, it looked more like a stronghold than anything else, a fortress built to keep out nightmare creatures and humans alike. The city was surrounded by a sea of ash and the charred remains of a dreaded titan. 

The magnificent castle was a very special illusion, more real than reality itself. Most people living inside the castle didn't know the difference, as it didn't affect their lives. A mysterious and somber place was hidden beneath the beautiful, towering edifice of Bastion.

The Castle was a gargantuan city with around a million people living between its walls, half of whom were Awakened. It had hundreds of Masters and at least a dozen Saints guarding the stronghold or visiting from their own Citadels.

At the lowest and outermost ring of the great stronghold, the street appeared like a city street with paved roads and white stone buildings opposite the monolith barrier of the outer wall made of the same stone. However, Bastion was a natural part of the defensive fortifications, designed to withstand the most terrible siege.

Bastion resembled an artificial mountain separated into distinct levels, with concentric circles of inner walls protecting each and a main thoroughfare piercing each wall in a spiral. To reach the main keep from either of the outer gates, one had to circle the mountain many times, passing lesser gates. The direction of the thoroughfare was purposeful, allowing defenders to rain arrows on attackers more effectively if they breached the outer wall.

The magnificent castle, however, paled in comparison to the real Bastion. Which was hidden by a mirror in the core of the fake citadel. Upon unveiling the mirror, it reveals the true essence of Bastion — a desolate and surreal landscape. This alternate reality is drenched in moonlight, depicting a devastated world under a fractured moon. A cold, still lake reflects countless pale stars and harbors lurking, dreadful beings. Where a thriving city once stood on its shores, an ancient forest now spreads, alive with harrowing beasts.

The real Bastion has never been truly explored, perhaps not even by the great Anvil of Valor himself. Speaking of the man, today he summoned Nephis and Cassie to the true Bastion.

"You may rise." Anvil of valor articulated. His voice, was truly commanding. It demanded no less than the speakers full attention.

Nephis, the Changing Star would rise according to his order. Looking at the man who she hated, she couldn't help but feel fear. He was tall and broad-shouldered, with a lean, but mighty physique. The man had dark hair and a thick, but dignified beard. The expression on his noble face was harsh and austere, and his grey eyes were as cold as tempered steel. The king of swords, Heir to war, The iron blooded sovereign, one of humanities greatest soldiers. Anvil was truly fearsome.

"Heed my words Nephis and Cassie. In the next few years the world will be plunged into chaos and uncertainty. So it is imperative that you both become stronger. You shall become masters by the next year. If not you will be punished."

"W-what is happening?" Cassie asked, her voice shook as she barely managed to bring out her words in his presence." 

Looking directly at Cassie, Anvil proclaimed 

"You need to get stronger because - "

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To enjoy life. That was Sunless's conviction. Of course he would get his revenge on Nephis and Cassie, of course he would become powerful, but at the end of the day the thing that made him swing his sword, the thing that kept his heart bleeding, his blood pumping, was the simple want to enjoy his life. 

So with that Sunless steadied himself, summoning the soul serpent and turning it into a tachi, he wrapped his shadows around himself and the serpent before jumping in the air. 

As the Shai - Hulud flew under him, sunless would land on the floor and immediately attack it. Moving as quickly as he could, he stabbed the monster on its body, his sword sunk through its flesh, and for the first time Sunless drew the blood of the creature. 

"schreeech"

The monster started thrashing in pain, almost succeeding in crushing Sunless under its massive bodyweight, however, Sunless ran away from its malicious assault. Still the monster wouldn't give up, instead, using its tail, it would attack Sunless.

"crack"

Like a whip, its massive tail almost hit Sunless at a speed faster than sound. However due to its previous injury, it would fall short at the last second. Allowing Sunless enough time to dodge and formulate a counter attack. Summoning Saint, his austere shadow, he would command her to attack it. And at once, Saint would do so. While she was fighting with the worm, Sunless sneakily got to a vantage point. Standing on top of a ruin, Sunless waited for a window of opportunity. Changing the soul serpent into the biggest weapon he could think of at the moment, which was a claymore, he put both of his shadows into the soul serpent. 

"boom"

The disgusting worm had fallen to the ground, as many wounds appeared on its body, Sunless knew this was his opportunity, jumping from his place in the ruins, he took his blade and using all the momentum he had generated, he pushed his sword through the monster.

Blood gushed all around Sunless as he repeatedly stabbed the worm letting out all of his frustrations into it.

[you have killed a fallen monster, Shai - Hulud]

[you have received a memory]

Looking at the runes in front of him Sunless started laughing. He had done it! He killed the loathsome worm. After finishing his jubilation, Sunless started looking into what the memory was.

***

Memory Name: Deserts Breath

Memory Rank: Ascended

Memory Tier :4

Memory Type: Armor

Memory description: [The nightmare desert was once a beautiful land, Imagine a vast and beautiful land where rolling emerald hills merge with majestic snow-capped mountains, and crystal-clear rivers meander through verdant valleys, sparkling in the sunlight. Meandering meadows burst with vibrant wildflowers and wild horses gallop freely, while tranquil lakes reflect stunning sunsets of brilliant oranges and purples. Dense forests hum with the songs of birds, and gentle breezes carry the sweet scents of pine and blossoms. Each season unveils its own charm—vivid autumns, serene winters, and lively springs—creating a breathtaking tapestry of nature's splendor. Until the Unknown, and an Unholy titan fought, they destroyed the land, the atmosphere, even the world. Thus this terrible dessert was formed.]

Memory Enchanments: [enduring],[Elemental Resitivity] [desert spawn]

[Enduring]: This memory is much harder to destroy.

[Elemental Resitivity]: This memory can resist all elements.

[desert spawn]: You move through the desert as if you were born for it

*** 

"What is the Unknown, it's as if the spell doesn't want to translate that rune. Like how it did with the Weaver. Is this perhaps another Daemon."

Concentrating closely on the memory description, and using his nascent knowledge on runic language, Sunless was able to decipher Ariel. 

"Who is Ariel? Is he perhaps one of Weavers siblings? A Daemon too?" 

Frustrated by his lack of answers, Sunless decided to move on. Donning the memory, Sunless Instantly felt the difference, he would no longer feel the extreme heat of the desert, nor would he feel the the arid wind beating at his face. 

Sending Saint back into his soul sea. Sunless started moving towards the pyramid. Using the third enchantment of his armor. 

"I will be back, I will."

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***

Name: Kai

True Name: Nightingale

Rank: Awakened

Class: Beast

Soul Core: Awakened.

Memories: —

Echoes: —

Attributes: [sharpshooter], [Mark of Divinity], [Beast borne ].

Aspect: [Archer of the End].

Aspect Description: [In a twilight glen cloaked in whispers, a striking figure stands with an air of allure. With piercing eyes and an elegantly crafted bow, he embodies grace and strength. A quiver filled with enigmatic arrows rests at his side, each holding a purpose known only to him. He is a captivating presence, forever poised between the realms of mystery and enchantment.]

Aspect Rank: [Ascendant] 

Innate ability: [Flight]

Ability description: [You can fly]

Aspect ability: [bowman]

Ability description: [You are good with the bow]

Awakened ability: [Visionary]

Ability description: [You can see through anything]

Flaw: [Empath]

Flaw description: [You know when someone is lying]

Mark of divinity: [You bear a faint scent of divinity, as though someone briefly touched by it once, a long time ago.]

Beast Borne: [The beasts recognize you as their own.]

***

"Did you also receive those new attributes?" Kai asked, his voice filled with equal parts curiosity and trepidation. 

"Yes I did. But what do they even do?" Effie replied, her voice echoed confusion and worry. 

"I guess we have to go back to the queen and ask her." Kai replied.

Arriving in the hall this time, Kai and Effie saw that the room wasn't empty, instead, it was populated by the queen and her daughters. 

Kai's eyes would widen, looking at the legendary Song sisters.

Beast master, Lonesome howl, Moonveil, Revel, Seishan, Silent Stalker, and Hel. The seven sisters all stared back at the two of them. The queen, upon seeing their arrival would tell them:

"Sit, we have much to discuss." 

Sitting down in the empty chairs, Effie and Kai would stay silent, feeling creeped out at the way the sisters were staring at them,as if they were a particularly interesting set of exotic animals. 

"Kai, Effie, Seishan. I have located a suitable gate for you not far from Ravenheart. You will become masters by the next year. Do you understand?"

As she said this, everyone in the room bristled, cries of outrage leapt from their mouths. Hel, in particular almost jumped from her seat. Although most of them didn't pay attention to this, Kai looked at her weirdly. She was a petite young woman, wearing a dark robe. There was a hint of innocence on her lovely face, and a strange calmness in her large, glistening eyes. 

"silence. You all need to get stronger as soon as possible. You need to ascend!"

"Why, why do we need to, aren't we safe here?"

"War is coming."

"War is coming."

As the two sovereigns proclaimed these words at the same time, their subjects felt, from the depths of their soul the true meaning behind those words.