Master Of None



While the royal dragons showed some unrest in this decision, the entire force was able to rest properly. It also allowed for some of the scouts to check the massive stairway that had been found. 

The scouts had discovered that the stairs were made of the same interlocking stones as the surface. They spread the weight out so it was incredibly hard to break the stones. Therefore, it would hold the weight of many soldiers easily. They could even carry up and down large items if they desired. That was how some of the stone coffins had made it here and there between ritual rooms. 

This had made the group wonder just what was going on here. But for the time being, they were certain they had done as much as possible. The system had even reacted to prove that there were no more ceremonies going on. The rituals had been broken for the time being. But that didn't mean that more would not start if they remained resting. 

'Chain quest: The mummified curse- completed 

There has been a sudden spike in resurrection ceremonies done by the mummified worshippers trying to bring about their false god. They are cursed by the world for their damage to the natural flow of mana and encouraging the incursion of certain putter elemental forces. 

Requirement: disrupt the large scale ceremony to tribute bodies to awaken the mummified wall guards

Reward: 1000 experience ritual rune formation broken, 10 heroic points per ritual rune broken, second link.'

'The first link has been completed…

Chain quest: mummified curse- second link

Requirement: descend to the true ruined city of the false death god and begin the invasion. 

Reward: 1000 experience for every undead trapped, 5 heroic points for every undead trapped, small insight on manas, third link.'

Walker and many others saw their versions of the second link in the chain quest appear. They all knew that they had temporarily succeeded and the reason that they had to invade was simple. They had to get in to the main ruins so that they could cease any further attempts to raise even more undead. They already knew that thousands slumbered here. Any that awoke would be an issue. 

Furthermore, there was the surprising bonus of a small insight on mana. That meant that every single soldier that participated and succeeded in this quest would be able to become stronger overall. While it wasn't just experience that they gained, it would be a direct way to lower the cost of the mana they used on skills which would drastically improve their battle styles. It would be a massive boost to the army as a whole. Even small increases could add up greatly. 

"We are going to be marching down the steps in a formation. The scouts have warned that there are no rails or much protecting us from falling halfway down. That means we must be careful. You are not the undead, if you fall then you are dead!" Ethan came with the warnings for the soldiers without wings. He also worried that there would be magical skills that would stop them from being able to fly at all as well. He didn't put it past this odd ruin. 

"After this set of the chain quest completes, you will all need to rest for a short while again. It will be slightly harder to move forward if we do not take the time to rest. But if you do not have enough time to grasp the gift the quest is rewarding you with, let your superiors know. We are going to be getting stronger by leaps and bounds because of this. That can not be achieved if we do not move together to defeat the undead here." 

While everyone had heard Ethan clearly, it was Walker's words that they dwelled on. Specifically because having a reward so obscure as insight to manas was hard to wrap their minds around. But knowing the complications of the world made it certain that it was a great reward. Mages were the ones that understood it greatly by compassion. 

Some mages would receive quests to strengthen their understanding of their affinity elemental mana. Therefore, they were limited to a degree when it came to their growth. But for the normal soldiers, they were unsure how much stronger they could get. But they did understand that sometimes they received rewards that sped up their recovery time or even allowed them to gain slight enlightenment in a certain battle style they struggled with. Therefore, they understood this was a similar reward. 

"Walker, if we manage to get this reward, I might complete the high elf dagger technique. I am close and using it here has been perfect. Forcing me not to use my bow and arrows to a degree since the area has too many allies and too tight of space was what I needed." Gil was fairly quiet while he spoke to Walker. He wanted to keep this to himself since it would be a very big deal for the elves that were with the army. Especially since they had left Alma behind and she would not be there to witness it coming together finally. 

"I thought as much. It uses elemental mana to a degree as its inspiration. But when you use the light elf style, you have a little bit of light mana on your dagger blades. That means that the high elf technique can suit any elemental mana, right? That means that you might be able to use them the same as you use the arrows. I hope that's the case." Walker saw that Gil's eyes were very bright. He had been able to sense the same things but was having trouble catching the feeling that raised his main and really only affinity was Wind elemental mana. 

"Then we can just keep going." Gil tightened his quiver and smiled widely while he headed toward the stairs. A few of the more diligent elven soldiers had been waiting for him. They always treated him better, but their eyes had been on him even more than usual. It was clear that they felt the growth of the elven dagger techniques and wanted to see what would happen. None of them had been able to split their learning to understand all dagger techniques, but a few had asked Gil to teach them corresponding techniques for their dual affinities and other reasons. 

"Don't get away that quick. I need to make sure you're fine with something that Ignus and I will do." The rough question from Remey made Walker flinch a little. He had a bad feeling about what he was about to be asked. 

"You already know about the explosive potions I have and that some of them make a blast of fire. That's what we want to use. You also said the scouts found some openings on the stairways. So, why don't we attack from above? Gil and the elves will attack that way too, so it should be fine, right!?" 

"While I want to say no because It makes me get a bad feeling, yes. I don't see why it would be a bad thing to attack from so high up. But we should let everyone with good eyesight choose the targets. They might see some things we don't. Work with the archers." As soon as Walker agreed, Remey gave a vicious, devilish smile that one she could give. 

After just a moment of Remey leaving Walker alone, he heard Ignus growl out with excitement. It was already clear that Ignus was ready to battle more and take back a draconic ruin. But knowing that he was able to use even more force without any worries of angering others was enough to bring him joy. But he wasn't the only one. The elves had heard Remey and Ignus and also looked for their explosive arrows and any other weird arrows that Gil had managed to help them with. It seemed that attacks from above would be the main attack method as the soldiers invaded. 

"I think that using their attacks from height is wise. But it might have riled them all up a little too much." Su chimed in with exactly what Walker was thinking. Alice just silently nodded along. But Midnight was the only one that looked sad. 

"I know you don't have any ranged attacks, but that's fine. I believe that you will do fine." Walker's cheering up of Midnight brought Su to a realization. They had been so involved with battles that she had not realized that Onyx was still not back with them. 

"Walker, where is Onyx?" The single question added tension to the air. 

"Don't worry, he is doing fine. He snuck through and guided a small group of Mordant's dragonkin, the elves, and a few others toward the ruined city already. He told me before he left the range of his skills. I think he is in the middle of a big breakthrough." Walker looked at the stairs they were all entering with a slight feeling of excitement. He knew that Onyx was working hard, so much so that Onyx might be many times stronger after all this. 

….

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