Paladin of the Seraph, page 54
Focusing, Darren realized what he needed to do.
Activating Limitless Evolution...
Darren Heavengrace (Fifth-Order Champion) is now upgrading to Darren Heavengrace (Sixth-Order Unknown)
With one of his other bodies, he got Cassandra to speed the process. So instead of the three days his first evolution took, this time, it only took a handful of hours.
The moment the transformation started, Darren sensed himself growing warmer. The feeling of warmth continued, growing greater with every minute that passed.
Looking inward, it was like he’d lit a fire within himself, and now his soul was burning. The fire tore at his insides, but his sheer force of will kept it contained. He felt a surge of strength flowing through him as the inferno raged. Though it was painful, he sensed Divine Aura flowing through him in endless waves.
Retribution gave him all the power he was promised and then more besides. His heart pounded so fast it was like a drumbeat in his ears. The blood that pulsed through him didn’t seem like blood at all, but rather liquid steel, hot and viscous.
He grit his teeth so hard that fresh blood dripped from his lips. It spilled on his clothes and burned away anything it touched, leaving behind nothing but ashes.
This power was righteous fury made manifest, and sensing the new strength in his limbs, he felt he could strangle Kalaziel with his bare hands. As the aspect of Retribution pulsed in his heart, he realized he wanted just that.
Limitless Evolution completed, and he was greeted with a familiar notification.
Congratulations on reaching the Sixth Order!
Error. Prime Saint status not detected.
Darren frowned. He didn’t feel like a Prime Saint, though he’d reached the Sixth Order like a seraph might. But he was no Prime Saint. He was something new.
He thought a while, wondering what to call himself. Previously, he’d been a champion.
He looked down at himself now, skin bare following his transformation. He was still tall and strong, and that hadn’t changed. But it had been refined. His body, already flawless in all human respects, was now even more so. He could not stand in the presence of normal humans undisguised, for even those who didn’t know him would sense the touch of the divine upon his being.
He had the body lounging about with Cassandra ask for her opinion.
“Ooh, how about Supremely Amazing Superhuman!” Cassandra suggested.
Darren nodded appreciatively. The name sounded good enough for him.
“No, wait. How about Ten Stars Radiant Hero!” Cassandra suggested again.
Darren stopped midway through entering her first suggested name.
“Paragon of Superb Righteousness! No, Paragon of Supreme Handsomeness.”
“Paragon it is,” Darren replied, accepting the most normal sounding name of all the suggestions.
And so he was a Paragon.
He opened and closed his fist, and the motion felt dream-like and detached. His soul had grown so big it was no longer confined to this physical vessel. His will was so great that reality was what he wanted it to be. The world around him was as much his body as his flesh and bone.
He realized then that the room was illuminated from within and not because of the Divine Energy Constructs he’d created. So he put them all out to find the source of the light, only to discover that he himself was responsible.
His very skin was glowing and casting his radiance in all directions. He truly did have a fire burning within him.
And that fire crackled within him, raging against his will and confined only by his strength of will. The power he felt was tremendous, and he knew every skill he used would be far more potent than ever before.
But he also sensed a particular brittle weakness. He was made of glass, sharp to the touch but prone to breaking. Darren knew that if he ever lost his concentration, his powers of the Sixth Order would slip from his grasp and return him to his former order. He had a grip on the Sixth Order, but it was a shaky one.
But he suspected he would have such a limitation before he began. He would just need to live with it until Kalaziel was dealt with. After the final battle was won, he could discard this aspect and choose another that would suit him better. For now, he had preparations to make.
He activated his sigil again to reveal his ability list.
Darren Heavengrace (Human Paragon, Sixth Order)
(Skills: 13 of 20)
Abilities:
Inspiration 10 (Epic)
Lover’s Gift 10 (Epic)
Dimensional Rift 7 (Epic)
Soul Weaving 7 (Epic)
Phoenix’s Blessing 7 (Epic)
Catharsis 10 (Mythic)
Divine Energy Projection 10 (Mythic)
Soul Smithing 10 (Mythic)
Fists of Peace 10 (Mythic)
Hallowed Idol 10 (Mythic)
Skill Shattering 10 (Mythic)
Resurrection 10 (Mythic)
Oracle Sight 8 (Mythic)
Aura Ascendancy 1 (Legendary)
Absolute Analysis 4 (Legendary)
Adamantine 5 (Legendary)
One with the Universe 5 (Legendary)
Vessels of Will 5 (Legendary)
Harbinger of the Apocalypse 4 (Legendary)
Limitless Evolution 4 (Legendary)
Reaching the Sixth Order gave Darren another boost in available skill slots. Besides that, many of his previous abilities had reached the point that they were able to evolve, as well.
He wanted to push his skills to their maximum level before confronting Kalaziel again so that his next fight wouldn’t end with another defeat.
Limitless Evolution: Skill Evolution
Evolve Inspiration (Epic) to Mythic?
Evolve Lover’s Gift (Epic) to Mythic?
Evolve Catharsis (Mythic) to Legendary?
Evolve Divine Energy Projection (Mythic) to Legendary?
Evolve Soul Smithing (Mythic) to Legendary?
Evolve Fists of Peace (Mythic) to Legendary?
Evolve Hallowed Idol (Mythic) to Legendary?
Evolve Skill Shattering (Mythic) to Legendary?
Evolve Resurrection (Mythic) to Legendary?
He pushed one new ability after another to new heights, growing more powerful with every step.
[Inspiration (Epic)] has evolved to [Awakening (Mythic)]
Your aura awakens the latent potential of all those around you, allowing them to reach new heights and achieve feats of bravery and valor that would otherwise elude them. Provides substantial buffs to all allied health and aura reserves.
[Lover’s Gift (Epic)] has evolved to [Fates Intertwined (Mythic)]
Your connections to your loved ones deepen to unbreakable bonds. Through this ability, you can sense their moods. When they are in danger, this will allow you to switch places with them at will or lend them your abilities while also borrowing their abilities in turn. All those whose fates are intertwined with yours will find it dramatically easier to grow in power until they reach your Order.
[Catharsis (Mythic)] has evolved to [Order from Chaos (Legendary)]
Your presence banishes Demonic Aura, instantly killing all entities below the Third Order and inflicting exponentially increasing damage on all demonic-aligned entities below the Fifth. You can now purify even Divine Aura, removing all taint hostile to the user’s presence.
[Divine Energy Projection (Mythic)] has evolved to [Manifest Will (Legendary)]
The universe itself can be sculpted to your will. No longer bound to control energy alone, sound, matter, and light can all be freely shaped according to your desires. The reality is wet clay in your hands.
[Soul Smithing (Mythic)] has evolved to [Soul Maker (Legendary)]
Through your intent, you can create new souls for living beings from pure aura, assembling the chaotic and scattered remnants of beings long dead into something with form and function, either to recreate what was lost or to make something new from nothing but power and your will.
[Fists of Peace (Mythic)] has evolved to [Fetters of Fate (Legendary)]
Your will binds the world and those within it. Manipulate the very fabric of destiny and the universe to bind a target to a predetermined fate. The magical chains are invisible to anyone below the Fifth Order. If not removed, the target will eventually meet the fate you have bound them to.
[Hallowed Idol (Mythic)] has evolved to [Divine Ascendancy (Legendary)]
The faith of your worshipers flows through you like blood through mortal flesh. Their trust is your resolve. Their courage is your determination. Their hope is the fire that burns within you. So long as a single true believer of yours remains, you can never die. You can draw on all the skills, abilities, aura reserves, and knowledge of all your believers with a thought and take temporary possession of their bodies when needed.
[Skill Shattering (Mythic)] has evolved to [Nullification (Legendary)]
Your hostile intent cuts through magic as easily as your sword cleaves through your enemies. When activated, Nullification destroys all active enemy abilities and energy attacks.
[Resurrection (Mythic)] has evolved to [Divine Resurrection (Legendary)]
The dead die only if you will it so. Any soul, mortal or divine, can be restored to life so long as a scrap of their essence still remains or can be remade. You may resurrect souls equivalent to the scope and power of your own soul once per day. This may mean one powerful soul or hundreds of thousands of dead mortals simultaneously.
His abilities had taken a significant leap in power, and many new skills would synergize well. Divine Resurrection would let him heal those with only a scrap of power left of them, but Soul Maker would let him create that scrap as he willed it. His mind went back to his mother, trapped within the ophanim. And if he could resurrect her, maybe he could even bring back his father.
He didn’t dare chase those thoughts too long, and his other new abilities were nearly as good. His many bodies and his multiple resurrection skills had made him nearly unkillable before. Still, now his close followers throughout the Sacred Seas were yet another lifeline. Anyone hoping to kill him would have to scour the Sacred Seas clean of all human life.
The power to access the abilities of his lovers and his followers would also be a unique boon. It would increase his versatility beyond anything he’d ever known, save for the Archdemon who’d created the Corrupted Sigils.
Fates Intertwined was also something he longed to test. The chance to enhance the capabilities of his lovers was a dream made manifest. He would no longer worry about them falling further behind as he grew stronger.
But with seven mythic skills reaching Legendary and seven more skill slots opened up by his evolution, he had plenty of new slots to fill with abilities. Thankfully, one of his spare bodies had been evolving skill books since his last evolution in preparation for this day. Any new skills would be pale shadows of those he’d fully realized, but it would still be wise to fill up the rest of his slots just in case. He’d long since inscribed each of Kalaziel’s abilities into his mind during their first fight and the one they had after. He prepared another set of countermeasures and a handful of surprises that Kalaziel wouldn’t expect.
You have learned the skill Weapon Proficiency! (Epic)
Your knowledge of weapons is profound, and your instincts show you how to wield any weapon with competency.
You have learned the skill Divine Resistance (Epic)
Your aura elevates itself above the rest and resists hostile Divine Aura effects, working as a passive shield against hostile Divine-aspect attacks.
You have learned the skill Rapid Regeneration (Epic)
Your body’s healing abilities are fine-tuned to deal with the rigors of combat, and most wounds heal before the battle is even finished.
You have learned the skill Mental Fortitude (Epic)
Your mind is strong, and your will is unshakable. You have additional resistance to any mental attacks.
You have learned the skill Agile Movement (Epic)
You move with well-trained speed and grace, easily navigating even the most challenging obstacles. Moving quickly and efficiently lets you dodge attacks, weave through crowds, and slip through defenses. You have additional speed when changing directions.
You have learned the skill Aura of Courage (Epic)
Your figure steadies the hearts of your friends and allies and gives them the inner strength to defy any danger. Your presence provides a passive enhancement to allies’ morale.
You have learned the skill Cleansing Presence (Epic)
No evil can stain your heart or your friends and companions. Even the ground you walk on will be passively cleansed of all negative effects when you are present.
You have learned the skill Oathbound (Epic)
Your word is binding, and when you make a promise, others know you will keep it. When others make an oath with you or by your name, they will be unable to break it. Your oaths and promises will be accepted as inviolable as natural laws.
You have learned the skill Radiant Aegis (Epic)
Your powers are a shield that can defend both yourself and those you care about. Summon a glowing shield that activates automatically to defend against incoming attacks on yourself or targets designated for protection.
You have learned the skill Righteous Fury (Epic)
When you or those who adore you are attacked or wronged, you can unleash your righteous fury, providing a small passive boost to all base abilities.
You have learned the skill Divine Crusade (Epic)
You may identify a place or person as the target of a Divine Crusade. Your followers will gain increased rewards for taking actions that lead to defeating or protecting the designated person or area.
You have learned the skill Sanctum (Epic)
Your presence provides safety and sanctuary, but you can create a Sanctum when that is not enough. Designating an area as your Sanctum transforms it into a sanctuary that protects your allies from harm. While resting and recovering within your Sanctum, you and your allies receive massive boosts to physical and magical regeneration.
You have learned the skill Borrowed Strength (Epic)
As warriors flock to your banner, their powers strengthen your own. Call upon their physical might, and the willing will answer. You gain a boost to physical strength based on the combined strength of all your nearby allies.
You have learned the skill Redemption (Epic)
You inspire fear and awe and the knowledge that no one is beyond saving. Enemies are more likely to see the errors of their ways and join your cause, should you spare their lives after defeating them.
After filling out his skill list for what felt like the final time for a long while, Darren turned to his items. The first item he needed to upgrade was his pair of boots. They’d been with him since leaving Hell, and though they were powerful, he’d started outgrowing the epic items.
Checking on them with Limitless Evolution, he discovered he had all the ingredients required to evolve them further, so he did just that.
Would you like to use Limitless Evolution to evolve your [Demon-Crushing Legion Boots (Epic)] to (Mythic)?
Now evolving...
[Demon-Crushing Legion Boots (Epic)] has evolved to [Hellfire Walkers (Mythic)]
[Hellfire Walkers (Mythic)] have evolved to [Hell-Sundering Striders (Legendary)]
Your boots render you immune to fire damage and any exhaustion effects caused by prolonged movement. Your agility and movement speed is enhanced while wearing them, and you will be surrounded by purifying flames that cleanse the ground as you walk. When activated, each step taken with these boots can cover one league of distance and take the user directly through dimensional barriers made of Demonic Aura.
He delved through his Inventory, looking for any defensive items he could wear. He rarely wore any, but against Kalaziel he needed every advantage he could get. Digging deep, he found an older armor set that Limitless Evolution said qualified for an upgrade. It was the set he’d gotten after defeating Lich Lord Dagmar and setting his soul free, as well as the Deathknight he’d raised to serve him.
[Armor of the Wilds (Epic)] has evolved to [Beastmaster’s Garb (Mythic)]
[Beastmaster’s Garb (Mythic)] has evolved to [Shapeshifter’s Mantle (Legendary)]
The Shapeshifter’s Mantle contains fragments of the hides of all the beasts you have slain. Each form is accessible to you through the Shapeshifter’s Mantle, allowing you to take on the form of any of them. If you are dealt lethal damage in one of these alternate forms, this armor will deactivate, and you will return to your human form.
The Shapeshifter’s Mantle didn’t look like armor at all. It was more like a pin he could wear on his cloak. But it would take blows meant to wound him, which meant it was armor. So Darren clipped it to his shoulder.
[Cloak of the Mysterious Hero (Mythic) has evolved to [Cloak of the Wandering God (Legendary)]
The Cloak of the Wandering God carries the aura of its creator wherever it goes. Anyone who wears it will be reshaped into the image of its creator in form and mentality. The wearer of this cloak can walk unseen through dense crowds as unremarkable as an ordinary person despite their power, garb, or appearance. Or they can walk with all the might of a newly minted god on full display, striking awe and respect upon those who gaze upon them.
