Crossing Serpent's Way, page 64
part #1 of Trials of the Endless Planes Series
- New Title: Guardian’s Bane
- Grants -15% mana cost to all abilities and +15% damage to plane guardians
- 100 greater mana (GM)
Title:
Requirements:
Effects:
Guardian’s Bane
Achieve the Feats — Challenger Planewalker and Blood of the First Guardian
-15% mana cost to all abilities
+15% damage to plane guardians
Feat:
Requirements:
Effects:
Challenger Planewalker
Defeat a guardian of a plane and qualify to ascend while at lvl.0 and on Challenge Mode I
+10% to all attributes
Blood of the First Guardian
Consume the flesh of Tyrox, Guardian of Serpent’s Way, and take their power for your own
Grants inherent knowledge of the battle style, Third Eye Strikes
“Even now, you have surprised me, Pioneer. In all of my time as the Guardian of Serpent’s Way…I have never been eaten before. It was quite…amusing,” a refined, sultry voice said with a chuckle.
The words echoed throughout the smoking world between worlds just before Tyrox appeared, leisurely sitting on its tail in front of Kaito’s consciousness, whole and hale as if the cyclops had never been injured.
“Tyrox? I-I thought I defeated you,” Kaito spoke aloud without thinking, despite not having an actual mouth.
“You did,” the guardian replied simply, its single eye crinkling with its version of a pleased smile. “Well, to be more accurate — you defeated the puppet that represented me.”
Tyrox wriggled its eyebrow knowingly, “Why Kaito…Did you think a plane guardian could be completely vanquished so easily? Ha! We are meant to be defeated, Pioneer. That is our role in the Lady’s grand design. How else can Planewalkers ascend? They do so through our connection with Her archmana.”
“Is that where we are then?” Kaito asked in wonderment, “In the giant shaft of archmana?”
“Yes, my other role is to ferry people to the planes beyond. After all, guardians are extensions of the Lady, wrought by Her hand and given access to Her archmana. And so, we have responsibilities to manage the mundane tasks that are beneath Her notice,” Tyrox said easily.
“So…what happens now?” Kaito wondered, unsure because he didn’t have a body.
“Now, you have choices to make, though before you do, I suggest you finally level your Class to 20, otherwise, the journey to the next plane will tear your soul apart. And yes, now that you are entrenched within the Lady’s archmana, I have full access to your screens.
Let me be the first to tell you how utterly shocking your accomplishments are. Before, I could only guess at some of them by observing you, but now that I see them for myself, I can scarcely believe it.
You have done more in a year in Serpent’s Way than anyone else has ever done. Other mythic and legendary Classholders may share your Feats and Titles, but they spent years, even decades accomplishing those same achievements.
However, your hastiness is both a blessing and a curse. While there is no doubting your strength, you are still wholly ignorant of many of the ways of the Endless Planes. Worse yet, ascending will bring new practices that even the people of Serpent’s Way are unaware of.
So you would do well to take your time in the next plane, Kaito. Learn quickly, but then spend the time to master new skills and old abilities.
Speaking of the next plane, where do you want to go?”
“Go?” Kaito asked, confused, “What do you mean ‘where do I want to go?’ Do I have options?”
Tyrox’s eye practically turned into a slit, which Kaito could only take as a shit eating grin. “See what I mean? Even those in this lowly plane understand the framework of the Endless Planes.”
Then, the guardian projected an enormous, misshapen tree. Its root system was vast, crawling and spreading outward in an uncountable network beneath Tyrox’s feet. At its base, the entire tree narrowed significantly like it had been squished into a corset. Beyond that point, the tree branched out, splitting into innumerable offshoots, some of which vanished into the smoke pervading this limbo-world.
With a casual flick of its wrist, Tyrox pointed at where the base of the tree narrowed, “This is Serpent’s Way — the gateway that leads to the rest of the Endless Planes. The roots represent the many mundane worlds that exist in the lower forms of reality. Your world would have been one of these infinite tendrils. Meanwhile, this area — just above the narrowest part — is the next set of planes available to those who manage to cross Serpent’s Way.”
Kaito shifted his perception forward, peering closely at the indicated section. “Are those…three different offshoots?”
The cyclops bobbed its chest and shoulders in a facsimile of a nod, “Each one represents an appropriate level range for Classholders. For any uncommon or rare Classholders, they can only ever ascend to the easiest of the three next realms — the Fair Lands. There, most people are between levels 20 and 40.
The adjacent planes in this rung are for epic Classholders only. The Fairest Lands are for levels 40 to 60, while the Unfair Lands, where the greatest challenges lie, are for levels 60 to 80.
Most Planewalkers first ascending from Serpent’s Way go straight to the Fair Lands, where they can dutifully level and hope to evolve their Classes. However, because you are an absolute monster, you are more than qualified to ascend to any of these three planes. So, what say you, Pioneer?”
“Are they all connected? Am I stuck in a single plane without any way to move between the three?” Kaito asked.
Tyrox nodded its shoulders approvingly, “You catch on quickly. There are multiple guardians on each plane and you would need to best at least one of them to be able to transfer from one plane to the next. As for the highest leveled area — the Unfair Lands — well…let us simply say that there are plenty of trials and tribulations waiting even for someone as powerful as you. You will learn soon enough, Pioneer, your high attributes can only take you so far.”
Kaito fell silent then, ruminating on Tyrox’s words. As he did, he decided to take the guardian’s suggestion and finally level his Class.
It was a long time coming.
Within moments, mana surged through his ethereal state of being as he distributed 115 points as evenly as he could across the six attributes. While Tyrox had mentioned he would need to specialize, there wasn’t any need just yet. He figured an even slate would give him a stronger foundation to build from.
As soon as he finished, he received yet another blue screen…
For achieving 100 points in each of the three physical attributes, you have crossed the first bodily threshold and may choose from one of three Endowments:
- Power I - Permanently increases the effectiveness of your physical damage by 10%
- Dexterity I - Permanently increases your movement speed by 10%
- Constitution I - Permanently increases your passive regeneration by 10%
Before Kaito could think on what this message implied, a second screen barged in.
For achieving 100 points in each of the three attributes related to mana, you have crossed the first magical threshold and may choose from one of three Endowments:
- Spirit I - Permanently increases your capacity for manipulating mana by 10%
- Conduction I - Permanently increases your capacity for using multiple abilities at once by 10%
- Mentality I - Permanently increases your learning speed by 10%
He focused his perception onto the cyclops, while the guardian just kept smiling with its eye, “What are ‘Endowments,’ Tyrox?”
“So those levels pushed you over the edge, did they? I knew you were close,” Tyrox said. “I’m sure you’ve already felt the changes in your body as your attributes have climbed. You are not the same mortal that you were even during your Crucible and you will only continue to change. Endowments are just bonuses at certain thresholds. Most Classholders gain only a single Endowment at a time since they traditionally focus on three attributes to raise. But yet again, you are an anomaly. This is just an additional perk bestowed by the Lady.”
“Well, since you’re in such a talkative mood — any suggestions on what to take?” Kaito asked, hoping to get more out of the suddenly friendly guardian.
Tyrox gave an offhanded shrug, “The first physical and magical Endowments are nothing world shattering. And given the sheer amount of attributes you possess, I doubt you would feel their effects much. Although, if I had to choose one, then Mentality I would be the only standout choice. Learning speed is an insidious sort of advantage. One that you would not notice right away, but you will appreciate it as you climb the planes.”
With a thought, Kaito chose Mentality I and a clarity of mind swept over his formless consciousness. He let out a sigh like he drank a shot of espresso, then asked, “What about for the physical Endowment?”
The guardian waved the question away dismissively, “Choose whatever you like. You won’t notice any of it.”
Kaito mentally shrugged and chose Dexterity I. Movement speed would be beneficial no matter what he evolved his Class into. Then, he pulled up his summary screen.
Name: Kaito Bao
Race: Human Male (Earth variant)
Class: Trackless Wayfarer (Ra)
Level 20
Mana
1.04 (EM)
Attributes:
Power
127
Dexterity
126
Constitution
127
Spirit
127
Conduction
127
Mentality
127
Endowments:
Effects:
Dexterity I
Permanently increases your movement speed by 10%
Mentality I
Permanently increases your learning speed by 10%
Even Kaito had to admit, his attributes were impressive. The lvl.20 was a gross mislabeling of his capabilities.
Satisfied with what he saw, he turned his attention back to the cyclops, “Now what?”
Tyrox crinkled its eye in a smile and leaned forward, while sitting on its tail and drumming its fingers together creepily, “Pick a plane, Pioneer. Where would you like to go? Do you want to dominate the Fair Lands? Maybe even conquer the Fairest Lands unopposed? Or do you wish to thrust yourself into the Unfair Lands, where the caliber of men and monsters would beggar you?
Tell me, Kaito Bao, which of them speaks to you?”
The cyclops’ voice held a finality to it. One that Kaito was prepared for. As soon as he learned of Serpent’s Way and the Endless Planes, he knew this realm was never going to be for him. He’d done what he needed to do, wreaking havoc amongst those he thought deserved it.
Was it truly deserved? Who cared. To him, it was justified and he would do it all over again in a heartbeat.
If the human guilds in power could make the unilateral decision to put Earth through a Crucible, then Kaito could use his own strength to put them through something similar. By his hand, their groups were now scattered and in disarray — just like he and his fellow Earthlings.
Now, the only thing left to do was leave.
Leave behind the remnants of his people. The weak, the lying, the backstabbing.
It was time for a fresh start, a new beginning, one where he could forget about the failings of the human condition — his own especially.
His formless gaze drifted to the projection of the misshapen, hourglass tree, tracing its branches as they split off into infinity. There were plenty of places and challenges hidden within those eaves where he could lose himself.
“Can I leave something with you, Tyrox? Something for the only people I would want to see succeed in ascending?” he asked as a fleeting thought occurred to him.
The guardian’s eye widened a bit in surprise at that. “I didn’t think you were the sentimental type, human…”
Kaito chuckled, then reached into his lurker’s storage and pulled out three separate boxes, each one labeled for the closest things to companions he had — Mila, Zenser and Teras. He was certain they would pit themselves against the cyclops soon enough, though probably not the same version that Kaito was forced to fight.
Since he didn’t have hands, the boxes simply appeared in the smoky space of this in-between realm. Tyrox swiftly swept them away with the flick of its hand.
“They will get your parting gifts. Of that, I will personally ensure. Now, have you made your decision, Kaito Bao? Are you ready to ascend?” the Guardian of Serpent’s Way intoned formally.
A blue screen popped up in Kaito’s inner vision and he stared at it for a long moment.
For conquering the trials of Serpent’s Way and defeating its guardian, you have earned the right to ascend to a higher plane and become a true Planewalker. Will you ascend?
- Yes
- No
In his mind’s eye, Kaito tightly grasped onto the tree branch that represented the higher plane he wanted to go to, just before he mentally hit ‘Yes.’
Then, the world as he knew it vanished.
* * *
Final Character Sheet
Name: Kaito Bao
Race: Human Male (Earth variant)
Class: Trackless Wayfarer (Ra)
Level 20
Mana
1.04 (EM)
Attributes:
Power
127
Dexterity
126
Constitution
127
Spirit
127
Conduction
127
Mentality
127
Endowments:
Effects:
Dexterity I
Permanently increases your movement speed by 10%
Mentality I
Permanently increases your learning speed by 10%
Titles
Dominator, Legion, Unchained, Executioner, Glutton, Pioneer, Deforester of the First and Last, Solid Snake, Insightful, Guardian’s Bane
Feats
Crucible Boon, Crucible Slayer, Crucible Mana Core Forger, Crucible Rare Boon, Crucible Epic Boon, Dungeon Dominator, Bloodletter, One Man Squadron, One Man Platoon, Crucible One Man Army, Crucible One Man Legion, Crucible Unchained, Sadist, Bloodied but Unbowed, Butcher of Man, Crucible Butcher of Monsters, Crucible Glutton, Crucible Pioneer Survivor, In the Footsteps of a Master, Challenger Rogue Stallion, Challenger First and Last Lumberjack, Challenger Feller of the Dark Woods, Insight of Miremaw, Challenger Tomb Raider, Challenger Cryptkeeper, Challenger Foundry Foreman, Challenger Emerald Forgebreaker, Challenger Light’s Out, Challenger Lighthouse Keeper, Challenger Maze Racer, Challenger Icebreaker, Chilled to the Bone, Ready Challenger I, Emerald Flame Rising, Harrowing of Frost and Fauna, Pilgrimage to Sandsea, Challenger Planewalker, Blood of the First Guardian
Trackless Wayfarer (Ra) Abilities:
Rank:
Coldsnap Casting (Ep)
Active ability that conjures a runic sigil with every melee attack you make. The sigil’s runes are responsible for producing constructs and projectiles made of dense ice mana with a range of 20ft.
The type of construct depends on the type of strike you make, while its strength is based on 2x your spirit and power attributes.
For a variable expenditure of mana, you can consciously control the shape of the construct, though it will increase the casting time.
1/80
Frozen Shardstrider (Ra)
Active ability that increases the length of your every step to increase your movement speed.
For an additional mana expenditure, you can use ice mana to form frozen shards to step on in midair. The cost and strain on your body grows exponentially with every additional shard-step after the first until your feet touch a surface again.
20/40
Diamond Aura (Ra)
Passive ability that constantly provides moderate resistance to all forms of mental attack and other magical effects, including silencing effects and ability backlash.
For a significant amount of mana, you can actively dispel lingering magical effects on you. This effect depends on a portion of your spirit and mentality attributes.
