Skyclad (Fate's Anvil Book 1) Read online

  “That was the conclusion Southpeak’s constable came to as well, and he didn’t wait to request official assistance. We sent a forensic mage team; they found strange Mana signatures all over the crime scene. They couldn’t identify them, except that the magic involved was neither summoning nor soul magic. Worse is what they didn’t find.” The lord-commander had an expression of cold fury in his eyes as he continued, “They were completely drained of magic. While alive. And then mutilated. In the cases of the women and girls, raped. Only after that were they permitted to die. The [Oracle]’s message is merely confirmation.”

  “[Mage-Eater],” whispered Zizzy. She now knew why she alone had been summoned. No mage-type class could face one, especially if whoever it was had already become powerful enough to take a circle-master like Gallern. The woman had maintained and powered the Southpeak Lesser Array with perfect diligence for a decade. A sudden horrible thought struck Zizzy.

  “The Array! He’s targeting Storm Breakers!”

  “Yes,” came Terrick’s blunt reply. “Since Gallern, he’s stuck exclusively to Breakers and obvious mages. And with the Mana-Storm being this bad, we need all of them, Ziz. I’d already planned to send you after him, but the [Oracle] beat me to it.”

  “I’ll go, of course, but I don’t know why the [Oracle] would send a message requesting me, personally.”

  “It’s not a message about you, Zizzy; it’s a message to you. Care of the lord-commander of the Stormbreak Wardens. It reads as follows:”

  “Constable Zizzy, or rather Ix’zizzixtrim the Succubus. Unlike most of your kind, you have spent the eighty-seven years since your summoning in faithful service to Stormbreak Isle—and by extension, all of mankind. Your unique skillset and racial traits will be necessary to stop The Defiler, the monstrous killer who now plagues the island. He is a [Worldwalker], and will become dangerous very quickly by his otherworldly nature. You are immune to a [Mage-Eater]’s draining skills because of your own. You have little time; he will continue to slay Storm Breakers until there are no longer enough to fire the Array and break the World-Storm. For the first time in the history of Anfealt, a demon shall bear the [Seal of the Oracle], and may all who block her path be struck from the Hall of Stories.

  “Constable Zizzy, be as swift and merciless as only someone of your nature can be, and may your Story be Remembered.”

  The lord-commander held out the [Seal] sent by the [Oracle], a simple coin-sized representation of the mysterious eye. As Zizzy held her hand out in a daze, unable to respond, the man placed the Seal on the back of her hand, where it stuck a moment before melting into her skin with a gentle hiss.

  “Your orders, Constable, are as follows: Proceed at once to Southpeak Village and track this piece of dragonshit directly. You have honored your oaths to the city and never used your extra-human abilities without permission for the past eighty-four years; that permission is once again granted.” Zizzy shuddered, shoulders relaxing as if a great weight had been lifted from her. “Here is this [Worldwalker]’s Writ of Execution.”

  As the lord-commander reached into a drawer of his desk to withdraw a slender, sealed scroll, inky-black wings of silken midnight made material unfurled from her back. As he extended it across the desk, a scaly, spade-tipped tail snaked out of a long-disused fold in her trousers. As she took it in hand, a lazy, satisfied grin spread across her features.

  As Terrick’s brown eyes met Zizzy’s glacial blues, the color melted away, yielding to an inhuman shade of reddish gold.

  “Do what you have to, Ziz,” the lord-commander continued quietly, formality giving way to warmth. “Feed if you must; you have my authority, as well as the [Oracle]’s.” He rubbed his face, and for a moment he looked as old as he was. “Nature of his crimes aside, he’s threatening the Storm Breakers’ ability to defend the mainland from the Mana-Storms.”

  The warmth in his tone was as fleeting as the appearance of age. “You have your orders, Constable. If there are no questions, dismissed.”

  Zizzy turned on her heel with a grace that hadn’t been present before, and the raw, predatory intent that radiated from her as she left his office made itself known even before eyes began to turn and widen. She didn’t stop to enjoy the attention dropping into her deeper nature caused her to crave, however. I have my orders, after all , she thought.

  Wings stretching and flexing in anticipation, Zizzy strode directly down the central dais and past the gawking women and defenseless, drooling men. She hadn’t been allowed off the leash of her oaths in over two decades, and the eagerness of her inner nature was palpable in the air around her.

  Stepping outside the central doors, Zizzy didn’t turn down the street to approach the Mana-lifts around the cliffs. She instead walked straight ahead to where the raised stone barriers with their linked chains offered a modicum of safety to the pedestrians. Stepping up onto one such barrier, she didn’t even pause to admire the view before letting herself fall forward, diving into the rushing updraft and falling hundreds of feet before letting her wings snap outward. With a haunting laugh that left observers below shivering for minutes after her passing, Ix’zizzixtrim the succubus winged her way south.

  Chapter 12: [Skyclad Sorceress]

  Morgan Mackenzie was suddenly back in her own physical body, and thoughts of wings and tattoos were whisked away by this new state of affairs. She found herself unable to move, and she quickly realized that the class selection experience was only the beginning of her newest ordeal. In the span of two heartbeats, the notifications began as she lay helpless on the sand.

  Self-Unity achieved. Class compatibility approaching 100%. Class selection confirmed. Consent acknowledged: Initializing Soul Modification.

  That seems ominous, she thought. I hope this isn’t going to hurt. Or take very long. And it’s going to change my Soul? I’m not sure I’m comfortable with this…

  Her worries were indeed well-founded, as what came next hurt a great deal more than she was prepared to endure. Morgan screamed internally as she felt a merciless pull on what she now knew to be her Soul.

  Skill List analyzed. Aspected Skills incompatible with class selection. Generating compatible Skill List…

  Compatible Skill List generated.

  Revoking Aspect: [Naked Affinity].

  Morgan felt her sanity begin to fray, as what she could only have described as a spiritual cheese-grater flayed her skills away from her. Each vanishing ability left an agonizing void in her Soul, and her mental anguish intensified to a fever pitch. Her mind felt stretched out, like a rubber band about to snap, but before it could, she felt a familiar otherness envelop her psyche like the most comforting blanket she could have imagined.

  And then she was pulled down. Down, away from the pain of the changes being wrought on her Soul. Down into the blessed blackness. The storm raged above as her Soul was stretched, and cut, and re-woven into something stronger—but she was held within her own mind, away from the brunt of the experience. Her inner self had no words to offer, she knew, but words weren’t needed in this place, as they drifted below the waves of sensation. She had chosen this, and would endure.

  Lulu’s [Exfoliate] skill has reached level 4!

  What?

  Lulu’s [Exfoliate] skill has reached level 5!

  LULU!

  Gripped by sudden panic, she fought to reach Lulu, angling toward the tempest of pain above before her other-self redoubled its grip, pulling her down once more. This new dream place seemed to rock placidly, back and forth, and she heard a low, rhythmic humming surround her, comforting her in this time of crisis. The next notifications allayed her concern, and she felt a small swell of pride.

  Lulu has defeated a [Chittering Murdersquirrel (Lvl - 12)]!

  Congratulations! Lulu has reached Level 4!

  Congratulations! Lulu has reached Level 5!

  Hah! Go Lulu!

  The scrubby would have to fend for itself for a while, at least until Morgan’s changes were finished. Her concern for
her poofy little friend was offset by the fact that the scrubby seemed perfectly capable of handling things for the moment. The notifications seemed to indicate such was the case, anyway.

  Lulu’s [Exfoliate] skill has reached level 6!

  Lulu’s [Exfoliate] skill has reached level 7!

  Lulu’s [Exfoliate] skill has reached level 8!

  Lulu has defeated a [Slap-Tongue Toad (Lvl - 15)]!

  Congratulations! Lulu has reached Level 6!

  Morgan chuckled internally as Lulu’s notifications appeared. Apparently she’s more dangerous than she looks!

  She felt a shift in the mindscape as the storm seemed to calm, and the cold sensations of her skills being ripped away one by one finally came to an end. Her own notifications resumed immediately after the surface of her Soul grew quiet, far above her.

  Aspect revocation complete. Incompatible Skillset removed.

  Applying Unique Class Framework: [Skyclad Sorceress].

  Piercing golden light danced across the surface of the dream-sea far above her, etching a pattern that started as a simple circle centered directly over where she floated. As soon as the circle was completed, the light split and raced outward in too many directions for her mind’s eye to follow. Concentric loops, geometric patterns, and runic designs spread out further and further as the points of light continued to propagate, its lace-like complexity quickly defying her ability to understand.

  The changes written in place by the golden light were neither pleasant, nor painful like the removal of her Aspect had been. The light writing changes onto her Soul now felt like a symphony of music that resonated in her very being. The glow caused dancing curtains of dappled luminescence to shine down into the dream-sea, and Morgan felt herself lulled deeper into the soothing presence humming tunelessly around her mind. She let herself drift, and time lost all meaning as the messages marking her transformation continued.

  Applying Class traits and conditions…

  Equipment Auto-Rejection: Enabled.

  Auto-Rejection response set to Extreme.

  Skyclad status: Absolute, Irrevocable.

  Morgan felt only a twinge of regret over the choice she’d made. Bye-bye pretty dresses, she mused, the thought meandering to the forefront of her mind. Good lord, am I going to miss my spiffy boots…

  Lulu’s [Exfoliate] skill has reached level 9!

  Lulu’s [Exfoliate] skill has reached level 10!

  Lulu has mastered the skill [Exfoliate]!

  Lulu has defeated a [Razortail Crawdad (Lvl - 13)]!

  Congratulations! Lulu has reached Level 7!

  She was suddenly struck by the absurd mental image of the plucky loofah murdering critters while she lay immobile in the dirt. She’s like a frilly Dalek! You exfoliate all those little bastards, Lulu! A soundless laugh escaped her as she found herself more amused than she was disturbed by the scrubby’s new lethality.

  Applying Class Bonuses…

  Oh, thought Morgan as the lattice mosaic of light above her flashed brightly for a moment and the complex shapes began to shift and turn. Is this the good part?

  Experience Gains Bonus: 100 Percent.

  Distributable Status Points Gains Bonus: 100 Percent.

  Skill Points Gains Bonus: 100 Percent.

  Enhancement Points Gains Bonus: 100 Percent.

  Resistance and Affinities Acquisition Difficulty: -50 Percent.

  Uh… Yeah, that’s definitely a good part. Wait! The last gains bonus was something she hadn’t seen before. What are Enhancement Points? Is this a class thing again? Oh, she thought sadly. I can’t ask anyone for details anymore, not unless I can find people…

  Lulu has defeated a [Carrion-Crawler Centipede (Lvl - 13)]!

  Lulu has defeated a [Carrion-Crawler Centipede (Lvl - 13)]!

  Congratulations! Lulu has reached Level 8!

  Lulu has defeated a [Carrion-Crawler Centipede (Lvl - 15)]!

  Congratulations! Lulu has reached Level 9!

  What in the world is going on up there? Morgan was struck once again by deep concern for her poofy little companion. She had no sense of time in this place, but it certainly seemed like there were many more threats to deal with than just the few she’d encountered herself.

  Activating Unique Class Signature Skill: [Living Runic Enchantment]

  Enabling Primary Rune Anchor…

  All thoughts of Lulu were driven away as a pillar of golden light burst downward into the dream-sea from the center of the primary circle, pinning Morgan in place. It caused no pain, but instead an all-enveloping tingle like she was floating in a fizzy drink. An eternal moment later, a needle-thin beam of purple light connected the center of her chest to the center of the golden circle above.

  Inscribing Rune: [Soul Anchor]…

  You have gained the Living Rune: [Soul Anchor]! Living Runes are Enchantments that will grow in power as you do. This Rune allows you to inscribe one Living Rune per level of [Soul Anchor] onto your body. Maximum level of Living Runes is equal to the level of [Soul Anchor]. Removing an existing Rune to inscribe another results in loss of the previous Rune’s level. [Soul Anchor] may not be removed.

  The Rune felt cold on her chest after the thinner beam vanished, but she couldn’t see what it was. More notifications came almost immediately as the purple beam returned to strike her directly in the eyes, blinding her with brilliant indigo incandescence.

  Inscribing initial Rune: [Mana Vision]…

  You have gained the Living Rune [Mana Vision]! This rune has replaced your previous Aspected Skill [The Naked Eye], allowing you to perceive the flows of magic, as well as improving vision in all light conditions. Higher levels will allow you to pierce through deceptive enchantments such as veils and glamour.

  She could feel a similar cold sting on her face as the glare faded, stretching across her eyes in a band connecting her temples. She didn’t even have time to wonder what the runic tattoo might look like before Lulu’s messages intruded upon her attention.

  Lulu has defeated a [Shock-Maw Eel (Lvl - 16)]!

  Lulu has defeated a [Shock-Maw Eel (Lvl - 15)]!

  Congratulations! Lulu has reached Level 10!

  Lulu has spawned a Brood!

  WHAT!?

  In that moment, Morgan wanted nothing more than to wake back up to see just exactly what was going on in the physical world, but the golden light held her pinned in the dreamscape. Her own state of affairs changed almost immediately as well, with the sudden acceleration of the shifting geometric and arcane patterns far above.

  Reapplying Modified Skillset…

  [Naked Instinct] changed to [Primal Instinct].

  [Naked Acceleration] changed to [Acceleration].

  [Naked Athleticism] changed to [Athleticism].

  [The Naked Eye] removed, replaced by Living Rune: [Mana Sight].

  [Naked Recovery] has evolved to [Regeneration].

  [Naked Camouflage] removed, replaced with [Fade Presence].

  [Naked Resilience] removed; skill effect intrinsic to Class.

  [Naked Magic] removed; skill effect intrinsic to Class.

  [Naked Elementalism] removed; skill effect intrinsic to Class.

  [Runic Enchantment] modified to include [Living Runes].

  [Spell Surge] unchanged, compatible with Class.

  [Resistances] Skill Group created; see status menu.

  [Affinities] Skill Group created; see status menu.

  [Spell List] compiled; see status menu.

  With every notification that appeared, sections of the light-woven lattice above her shifted. They turned, folded into each other, and slid in dizzying patterns as the entire mosaic seemed to be condensing into the greater circle directly over her floating mind-self.

  Lulu has spawned a Brood!

  The absurdity of the notifications continuing during Morgan’s transformation gave a humorous tint to the seriousness of the changes happening to her Soul and body. She knew that time felt different in this place, and was now even more eage
r to return to the waking world to help her loyal companion. Her excitement over the Class notifications and changes had been building ever since the pain had stopped, adding to her impatience.

  Formatting Class Status Menu… Complete.

  Status Information for: Morgan Mackenzie

  Level - 10

  Primary Class: [Skyclad Sorceress]

  Secondary Class: [Locked]

  Health - 250/250

  Stamina - 280/280

  Mana - 210/210

  STR - 20

  AGI - 20

  CON - 20

  VIT - 28

  INT - 21

  Stat points available to distribute: 10

  Current Skills:

  [Primal Instinct]

  [Acceleration]

  [Athleticism]

  [Regeneration]

  [Fade Presence]

  [Spell Surge]

  [Resistances]

  -[Pain Resistance (Lvl 9)]

  -[Heat Resistance (Mastered)]

  -[Lightning Resistance]

  -[Mana Resistance (Mastered)]

  [Affinities]

  -[Mana Affinity (Lvl 6)]

  -[Fire Affinity]

  -[Heat Affinity]

  -[Water Affinity]

  -[Lightning Affinity]

  -[Earth Affinity (Lvl 2)]

  [Spell List]

  -[Mana Pulse (Mastered)]

  -[Spell Channeling (Lvl 5)]

  -[Lightning Bolt]

  -[Flame Bolt]

  -[Water Bolt]

  -[Wind Barrier]

  -[Candleflame]

  -[Earth Sculpt (Lvl 4)]

  -[Earth Wave]

  [Runic Enchantment]

  -[Candleflame Rune]

  [Living Runes]

  -[Soul Anchor]

  -[Mana Sight]

  Skill Points available: 10