Amdirlain’s PoV - Maze
Even in the Maze, five months laying motionless had coated her with dust, and while Teleport had left the caked layer behind, the sensation lingered on her skin. Stretched out in the pool, Amdirlain relaxed and considered her next move.
“I hope Ebusuku won’t get angry, but if I end up any place in the Abyss, I’ll need to be as strong as possible. Wonder what the Tier 7 guardians are like?”
Her arrival at the malevolent spirit’s den was both unpleasant and comforting. Part of her had worried about what she would hear but, while not pleasant, it wasn’t anything to be feared. Indeed, the music told her too much about the chamber’s occupant. The precise notes didn’t convey the impact of Soul Sight but still provided an insightful account of its nature. Listening to the music raised the hairs on the back of her neck, the violence and hatred within was clear, without weighing her down.
Amdirlain didn’t even need to look for any aura; the entity''s music painted its location for her precisely. A single kick ended it, and she was onto the next to trigger the first Guardian’s appearance. Its music seemed fragile compared to hers, whistling notes from a makeshift reed flute compared to an orchestra’s rolling bass drum.
The Guardian nodded to her almost respectfully upon its arrival. “They had mutilated your Soul, it seems.”
Harmonies intermingled within the Guardian, and Amdirlain’s mind separated the precise sound of its interior from the stately music that drifted into the distance. It was that stately music that pushed a name to the fore. “Theinas, that is your name, isn’t it? The aspect of the concept of Law.”
[Resonance [Ad] (21->22)]
The Guardian’s spear tip dipped, but it’s shield stayed ready to protect itself. “You ?remember now?”
The whisper it projected was far from the sometimes harsh tone it had taken with her. Cheerful skipping notes sighed from among its dignified strains, a child playing among its sober adults.
“Only your name currently,” answered Amdirlain. The skipping notes cut off abruptly with her words, as if someone had slammed a door. “I’m sorry I can’t remember more yet.”
While she’d continued, the Guardian shifted its grip and readied itself. “You can only remember what you remember. Shall we begin?”
“Back to being polite? I thought you said these exercises were pointless.”
“The vines invariably caused you to retreat rather than being forced away by myself. Gideon told me your mind was strange, but I couldn’t understand the benefit of repeating a futile exercise. He said your increased psionic strength made taking the vines apart simple.”
“Psionics let me crippled them, but the Ki let me remove them. It isn’t futile to grow stronger or work on perfecting a technique,” retorted Amdirlain, beckoning for it to attack.
The difference in her fighting was as day to night without the vines; they’d hindered her, even with subtle shifts in her flesh. Now, blows landed with exacting precision as the battle''s music soared around her. Notes whistled piercingly during attacks and shivered slyly across her skin or shied away to warn her of feints. When the world had come alive with music, it was as if she was seeing for the first time; in battle, she found her surroundings clear within her mind.
The music''s ferocity provided cues to determine the energy behind assaults and the stability of defences. Amid the battle, a rising note behind her prompted Amdirlain to roll aside from a thrust. Shifts in the tempo provided her windows for reaction, and the guardians came apart in droves. Psionic energies rippled through the air with complex electric harmonies before they plunged the guardians’ precise music into chaos and blotted them out.
While her understanding of Resonance grew, mistakes occurred in the shifts of battle. While the Power helped read intent, they could read her reactions. When the sheer volume of sound around Amdirlain was overwhelming, she had to let her mind float amid the sound. The skills she’d already possessed helped her to find her balance with the walls of sound that smashed against her senses; Harmony and Zen Mind let her sift through and react only to the essentials.
The last wave of guardians crashed against the wall of the main corridor. She carefully assessed the newest solo Guardian’s appearance. Its music was a unique density of sound; the unit was an obvious progression from Tier 6. Along the metallic skeleton, strands of woven muscle shone with enchantments, and internal plates layered protections over key structural points.
[Species: Maze Guardian - Tier 7 (Construct)
Class: Removalist / Battlefield Caretaker / Elite Knight / Elite Scout
Level: 40 / 40 / 40 / 40
Health: 100,160
Defence: 1712
Melee Attack Power: 1665
Combat Skills: Broad Spear [M] (90), Grapple [M] (85)
Details: A focused combat construct used to keep the peace between the Maze’s residents.]
“If you needed extra firepower, why not just bring out the big guns?” asked Amdirlain, though her focus was on its song. Extra strength projected from its spear and shield, and the muscles’ fibrous material echoed a foundation’s stability.
“You’ll have to earn that entertainment the hard way.”
“I wouldn’t have it any other way.”
Amdirlain teleported in close and blocked the Guardian’s attempted knee strike. It stopped her attempt to wrest the spear from its grasp by simply dropping its foot and shoving her away with its shield.
“Stronger, but not a lot faster. Think it will be enough?” asked Amdirlain, circling to draw out the conversation.
“Not alone, at least. You certainly didn’t destroy the last wave as fast.”
“You are turning into hardy punching bags, but physical abilities don’t matter enough without powers. You can’t trap me, and you’ve no ranged attacks.”
“Except you still like to fight with your fists,” huffed Theinas.
“The challenge is helping me improve Resonance and associated abilities in leaps and bounds.”
As it started to retort, Amdirlain reappeared to sweep its legs out from under it. Before it could hit the ground, Amdirlain’s follow-up held it suspended in mid-air. Already too far away for it to strike at, the unit thrashed like an overturned turtle. As soon as she had an opening, Amdirlain yanked the spear from its grasp and drove the broad point through its spine. Like a puppet with its strings cut, the limbs stopped moving. With the appearance of the following two, Amdirlain dropped the dissolving unit and lunged with her new spear.
The fights that had taken days progressed to a week and then pushed on past two as the difficulty increased. Several double-chimes in quick succession had forced interruptions in Amdirlain’s schedule, but none of those trials ended well for their participants.
Various dark deities lost potential servants when Amdirlain tracked them down. A land-based pseudo-octopus with an obscene amount of legs and a six-legged bull with arms extending from its sides were the strangest in appearance among them.
As the last Tier 10 dissolved around her, Amdirlain grounded the blazing halberd she seized from the unit. Protean’s regeneration sealed the large gash of vaporised flesh along her ribs and caused the blood to stop cascading down her side. Almost Human in appearance—although metallic skinned—all the Tier 10s fought with various energies wreathed around their weapon’s blades. The lone Tier 11 that appeared had enchantments over its skin that matched the internal layers progressive tiers had gained.
Amdirlain smiled when she took in the details and quickly compared the sole unit to her recollection of the previous tier.
[Species: Maze Guardian - Tier 10 (Construct)
Class: Removalist / Battlefield Caretaker / Elite Knight / Elite Scout
Level: 70 / 70 / 70 / 70
Health: 201,740
Defence: 2,435
Melee Attack Power: 2,515
Combat Skills: Halberd [S] (5), Grapple [M] (100)
Details: A focused combat construct used to keep the peace between the Maze’s residents.]
[Species: Maze Guardian - Tier 11 (Construct)
Class: Removalist / Battlefield Caretaker / Eliminator / Knight Champion
Level: 80 / 80 / 75 / 75
Health: 353,020
Defence: 3,221
Melee Attack Power: 3,458
Combat Skills: Halberd[S] (20), Grapple [S] (10)
Details: A focused combat construct used to keep the peace between the Maze’s residents.]
“Shiny new toy with a nice jump in levels. New Prestige Class and an evolved base Class I take it?”
The smooth flex of the metallic sheath made Theinas’ nod eerily lifelike. With each tier increase, Amdirlain was sure she saw more of his emotion in their movements. “Each Tier gaining sufficient experience for ten levels across all its classes means significant gains for the new classes.”
“It''s all just a battle of attrition, isn’t it?” enquired Amdirlain. “I mean the way Orhêthurin set it up. The entities that end up here, even if they keep their powers, will need to eat and rest. As soon as they eat, it’s likely game over, and if they rest, the waves reset.”
“Correct. A memory or simple reasoning?”
“Reasoning. My old life’s memories will have to wait for now. Does the last wave double each time?”
“Once you are past four units, the waves continue to double,” corrected Theinas.
“So much experience! I just hope no one interrupts.”
Theinas’ lunge had Amdirlain deflect his halberd’s point with her own, and she felt the strength, beyond her own, in the strike. As the waves progressed, the sounds that had once threatened to swamp her stayed tightly under control, with the music from further away tuned out from her awareness. Only the fifteenth unit had fallen when a double-chime rang out.
To Amdirlain, her fun had barely begun, but regardless she found herself back in her chamber. “Bloody spoilsport.”
[Combat Summary:
Maze Guardian - Tier 1 x 258
Maze Guardian - Tier 2 x 514
Maze Guardian - Tier 3 x 1,026
Maze Guardian - Tier 4 x 2,050
Maze Guardian - Tier 5 x 4,098
Maze Guardian - Tier 6 x 8,194
Maze Guardian - Tier 7 x 16,386
Maze Guardian - Tier 8 x 32,770
Maze Guardian - Tier 9 x 65,538
Maze Guardian - Tier 10 x 131,074
Maze Guardian - Tier 11 x 15
Total Experience gained: 45,475,915,720
Fallen: +9,095,183,144
Fallen Level Up! x9
Scion: +9,095,183,144
Scion Level Up! x9
If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.
Sora Master: +9,095,183,144
Sora Master Level Up! x9
Psion: +9,095,183,144
Psion Level Up! x9
Warrior Monk: +9,095,183,144
Warrior Monk Level Up! X9
Death Strike [S] (2->17)
Energy Drain [S] (37->40)
Greater Teleport [M] (74->80)
Harmony [S] (72->74)
Ki State [S] (53->61)
Ki Infusion [S] (34->36)
Ki Movement [M] (54->60)
Ki Strike [S] (68->80)
Protean [M] (62->70)
Resonance [M] (24->34)
Suppress Target [J] (10->18)
Universal Life [M] (96) -> [S] (1)
Free Movement [Ad] (22) -> [M] (12)
Ki Flight [J] (30) -> [Ad] (14)
Agile [S] (93->95)
Clairsentience [M] (70->75)
Metacreativity [M] (24->30)
Pain Eater [M] (44->50)
Psychoportation [M] (82) -> [S] (1)
Silent Storm [S] (121->131)
Zen State [S] (88->98)]
The notification caused Amdirlain’s light-hearted protest to turn into a groan. “Battle mad, wretch. I should have considered how much experience all those Tier 10s would be worth. I could have cut that cycle short by a week or more.”
One fact overshadowed the improvement in all the powers and skills she’d deliberately pushed hard on during the fighting.
“I was already at 113!”
Snorting, Amdirlain put most of the accumulated points into Endurance and felt the rush of health surge through her. Though it let Charisma stay past Willpower, she threw the rest into Intelligence as the psi-abilities were the fastest way she had for destroying guardians. “346,847 Health now, almost as much as the Tier 11s. Now for my shiny new toy.”
Analysis quickly displayed the Prestige Class she intended to pick, and Amdirlain took reassurance from the details.
[Ascetic Triumvirate
This Prestige Class merges three classes of self-discipline and focus, requiring types representative of mind, body, and spirit.
Increased chance of significant insights into combat skills.
Increased chance of significant insights into psionic skills.
Increased chance of significant insights into spiritual powers.
Body Class (Warrior Monk):
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400">Senior Master in at least three combat powers or skills</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400">Senior Master in two or more defensive powers or skills</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400">Possess a physical attribute greater than 1000</li>
</ul>
Spiritual Class (Sora Master):
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400">Senior Master in at least three spiritual powers</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400">Possess Willpower or Charisma greater than 1000</li>
</ul>
Mind Class (Psion):
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400">Senior Master in at least three class powers or skills.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400">Possess Intelligence greater than 1000</li>
</ul>
+ 10 Endurance per Level
+ 10 Intelligence per Level
+ 20 Willpower per Level
+ 10 Charisma per Level
+ 5 Free Attribute Points per Level
+ 9 Melee Attack Power
+ 14 Defence
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400">Willpower attribute bonus increases both Defence and Melee Attack Power.]</li>
</ul>
It has Sora Master tagged against the Spiritual Class. This triumvirate?
[Triumvirate Prestige Classes
Available for various class combinations, these prestige classes all require at least two evolved base classes. The classes involved must overlap in at least one aspect but differ to complement each other rather than being only variations toward the same goal.]
[Class selection:
Ascetic Triumvirate
Note: Tier 7 Achievement is no longer available for further use.]
Orhêthurin unleashed True Song by dancing. Did she effectively have an evolved base Class in that memory about the spike piercing into the other universe?
[Available True Song base classes:
Glinnel
Ostim?
Ont?lin
Dag?rlin ]
Amdirlain scrubbed the blood from herself and translated them from Elvish. “Ont?lin, roughly ‘Singer of the forge’, whereas Dag?rlin is ‘Singer in battle’. What details will you give me on that first class I unlocked?”
[Ostim?
A primordial version of the Glinnel Class allows access to both aspects of True Song.
+1 Intelligence per Level
+1 Charisma per Level
+4 Free Attribute Points every four levels post level 22
+1 Melee Attack Power per two levels
+1 Defence per Level
+2 Magic per Level
Requires:
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400">Orhêthurin’s Soul</li>
</ul>
Powers unlocked::
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400">Resonance</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400">True Song</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400">Lingering Song]</li>
</ul>
Does True Song use Charisma? Well, shit! Are you essentially performing for reality to get it to change?
[Dag?rlin
This variant of the Glinnel Class specialised in wielding True Song while engaged in melee combat.
Increased insights into combat skills possessed at the time of selection.
Increased insights into Resonance.
+1 Intelligence per Level
+1 Endurance per Level
+1 Melee Attack Power per Level
+1 Defence per Level
+1 Magic per Level
+4 Free Attribute Points every four levels post level 22
Requires:
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400">Resonance Power in Adept Rank</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400">A balance Skill or better in Master Rank</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400">A weapon Skill in Master Rank</li>
</ul>
Powers unlocked:
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400">Silent Song]</li>
</ul>
[Ont?lin
This class encapsulates the powers developed by a particular young lady while practising her abilities in her Father’s forge.
Increased insights into Resonance
+3 Endurance per Level
+4 Free Attribute Points every four levels post level 22
+3 Magic per Level
Requires:
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400">Orhêthurin’s Soul</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400">Resonance Power in Adept Rank</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400">A balance Skill or better in Master Rank</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400">A dance Skill (or subskill) in Adept Rank</li>
</ul>
Powers available for acquisition
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400">Silent Song</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400">Physical Song</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400">Multivoice]</li>
</ul>
“Minimal combat potential, but the generalist path of Psion served me well, so let''s avoid specialising to start. Plus, do I want only want to gain more ways to leave corpses piled high?
Also, any Endurance increases affect all my existing Class levels; Multi-voice and Silent Song, Isa only got in her Prestige Class,” muttered Amdirlain.
The thought of the dance performance she had given in the Abyss levelling the town bubbled around in Amdirlain’s mind, and she roared with laughter. A distant echo of a hammer striking an anvil reminded Amdirlain that a trial was in progress.
[Class selection:
Ostim?
Resonance already unlocked
Resonance increased [M] (34->35)
True Song unlocked!
True Song (1)
Singing unlock!
Singing (1)
Lingering Song unlocked!
Lingering Song (1)]
“I teased Sarah by threatening to sing, but when is the last time I just stopped and relaxed with music? I need to practise my singing, it seems. Isa said she used True Song to emulate spells, but I can at least hear Psi techniques. One last thing, no rushing True Song. I want to practise my new powers and skills first to avoid I locking myself out of something.”
[Class Selection:
Ont?lin
Resonance increased from Resonance [M] (35 ->36)
True Song increased from True Song (1) -> (10)
Singing (1) -> (10)]
Darn, I should have practised first!
[Experience allocation confirmed:
Ascetic Triumvirate: 100% weighted.]
Profile Mastery [M] (48->49)
Teleport placed her in the main corridor, and Amdirlain raced towards where the fading chime had originated. With all the recent interruptions arising from the viler areas, it was a pleasant surprise that the region this time wrapped her in the deep stillness of a forest’s clearing. It was also a region she had been in previously to distribute keys.
A howl that shivered through oddly out-of-sync tones had Amdirlain reach out mentally, catching a glimpse through an assailant''s twin minds. Even if the nature of the mind hadn’t been enough, a glance was all she needed. The mental touch she’d established unleashed a construct of agony she’d prepared for the vines.
Separating from its death throes, Amdirlain teleported into the scene she’d caught from the Death Hound’s mind. The Wood Elf male she’d seen in the vision still had his quarterstaff raised in case the thrashing of the two-headed hound was only a ploy. Intent on the hound, he didn’t immediately notice her presence.
His colourful auburn hair and dusky skin, with hints of mint-green, reminded Amdirlain of Rana. However, his hair was barely past shoulder length, and he seemed like an Elven youth.
[Name: Nestorion Patarion
Species: Petitioner
Class: Priest / Healer / Druid / Ranger
Level: 40 / 45 / 40 / 40
Health: 2,020
Defence: 52
Melee Attack Power: 92
Combat Skills: Staff [M] (12), Club [M] (5), Various Blessings [Locked]
Details: Recently died in combat with Orc raiders attacking a Wood Elf community. In life he was a Priest of the Lady of the Forest, Toreth, nominally of the Summer Court. Upon arrival in Toreth’s Domain, she asked him to risk a trial to become a Ljósálfar and investigate something for her.]
[Species: Death Hound
Level: 5
Health: 120
Defence: 25
Melee Attack Power: 32
Combat Skills: Bite [Ad] (14)
Details: Opportunistic predators that dwell on open plains. Often found scavenging around villages, looking for untended livestock. Their dual-toned howl landed them with their name among the humans of the former Kingdom of Darius. Not averse to eating carrion, their bite can cause infectious blood diseases easily able to weaken or kill if left unattended. ]
Former kingdom?
“What, by the Lady, are you?” demanded Nestorion, though his attention remained on the hound at his feet.
“I hope you’re not expecting it to answer you. It’s called a Death Hound in some lands because of their eerie two-toned howl, and they’ve no issue about eating corpses,” offered Amdirlain, and Nestorion spun to face her. “Which isn’t surprising, given they have two sets of vocal cords. Did it bite you?”
Nestorion stammered before he gave a confused bow with his hands across his chest. “An Anar here! How is this possible? And all your scars—what happened to you, my Lady?”
Even as Amdirlain started to motion to calm him, Nestorion immediately stopped speaking. “They’re an old injury, Nestorion; I’m working on healing them.”
His notes sparked as brightly as his smile before he gestured towards a scar along her nearest arm. “Is there anything I can do to help?”
Amdirlain smiled at his cheerful demeanour. “That’s kind of you to ask, but they don’t hinder me, and they’re improving. What brings you here?”
“A host of celestials came into my lady’s service, apparently from here. She asked me to undertake a trial to investigate and see if their rescuer was still present. While risky, I wanted to help the Lady determine the truth of the situation.”
“A risk for you, at least,” murmured Amdirlain, not sure what debt his goddess sought to fulfil.
“Not just for me; it required an investment of her Divine energy to send me here,” offered Nestorion. “She’d never undertaken the method before, as she feels it’s improper to grow a tree before its time. Her offering me the opportunity honoured me.”
The hound’s pitiful noises prompted Nestorion to put it out of its misery, and he blinked as it disappeared. In its place was a Maze key, but he gave her a wide-eyed look.
[Combat Summary:
Death Hound (50%)
Total Experience gained:
Ascetic Triumvirate: + 160
Note: Wow, so impressive!]
“Do they all do that?”
“The keys ?let the entities trapped here out,” offered Amdirlain and gestured in the direction she knew to be the stairs. “Let me show you the corridor of choices. That’s the way you need to go for the results you were hoping to achieve. The key lets you escape or achieve a partial success.”
Instantly dismissing the key, Nestorion focused on Amdirlain. “What about you?”
“I already have one, but it''s not yet time for me to leave.”
“Our legends say you’d all left this reality, my Lady. Were they not true?”
“No, all had left, there was no way for us to be reborn,” stated Amdirlain, and the tension eased from Nestorion’s melody. “I ended up back here unexpectedly. The uniqueness of the Maze has been helpful for my healing, so some good has come of it. I’ve also been helping others like those that entered your Lady’s service.”
“Might I share your name with my Lady?” enquired Nestorion, and Amdirlain noted the slight self-interest in his song.
“Is that the only reason?”
“You are beautiful, and I take it the beast died because of you. I’m not allowed to know the name of my rescuer?”
“I’m sure you could have handled it. Names can be dangerous things to allow out into the wilds. You should be careful who comes to learn yours, Nestorion, once you’re a Celestial. Or, I should say, a Ljósálfar, since those are the higher beings among the Summer Court,” answered Amdirlain. “You can let her know the one that saved Rana from Set’s Altar is doing well. She’ll know who I am.”
The mingled notes among his song matched the disappointment she could see in his gaze, but he nodded respectfully. “It will be my honour to share the news with her.”
“Good, now let''s get you out of here,” insisted Amdirlain. “There aren’t any new occupants in this region that need rescuing. Why don’t you tell me about your neighbours? I understand there was some disruption among the Human kingdoms.”
Surprise sparked through Nestorion at her words, but his emotions turned sombre. “So many died because of fighting among the humans'' pantheons, and it even caused the collapse of kingdoms. But the disruption isn’t just with them, as the Andún? kingdom has deposed their royal family.”
Amdirlain held herself from interjecting and merely listened while she led the way to the stairs. The relative youth of Nestorion was evident by the shortness of his corridor, and Amdirlain waited until he vanished from the far end.
Surprised by the details Nestorion had shared, Amdirlain let out a bemused huff and ran fingers through her hair. “Amdirlain’s cadre now rule three kingdoms, and the Adventurers’ Guild two! What did I feed them? At least they''re holding elections for local positions, but the cadre could have picked a different name.”
She pushed her concerns aside and rose to her feet, ready to start the grind again.
* * *
At the appearance of the first Tier 4, she’d stepped back and waved before teleporting away. Before she vanished, Amdirlain caught the confusion from Theinas’ connection to the Guardian. Her amusement at his reaction added a cheerful tone to her first deliberate practice. She’d recalled bits and pieces of Mori’s training with Orhêthurin and understood why some people might hate Orhêthurin’s instruction. Orhêthurin loved to sing and make music?. Anyone who turned up to practise not giving it their full attention got an immediate kick in the butt.
Three hours of singing practice followed that hour of killing guardians. Then it repeated, and the cycle tracked to a strict tempo, without Amdirlain ever once using True Song. The Power seemed to hover in the back of her mind waiting for her intent to spark it to life, yet she didn’t falter. Even trials didn’t budge her from her routine for long, and she found the guardians would show up regardless of the trial if she started killing entities.
Time Sense, which she had long left lying stagnant, rose to the challenge of her routine and the music’s beat. Endless hours of singing with Protean wiping the strain that would, in life, have required rest. It was a brutal training regimen that even Orhêthurin wouldn’t have followed.
“Are you planning to burn out your love for singing?” snapped Theinas after thirty days of her unvarying schedule.
At the distraction, Amdirlain half snorted in annoyance, but stopped and considered his waspish tone. “Being ?emotional about this, aren’t you, Theinas?”
“Please go through the barrier when it opens and make a choice,” pleaded Theinas.
“Why Theinas, do you mean you care?” gushed Amdirlain and quashed her curiosity at his statement. “Listen, once I hit level 100 in my latest Prestige Class, I should have the basics in Singing down, and at that point, I’ll start practising True Song. Once I’ve got the basics of True Song down, then I’ll leave. After all, I need to earn an achievement to prestige again. But, Theinas, if you were worried, all you had to do was ask.”
Theinas tried to stab her, and Amdirlain smashed the unit across the room.