Chapter 22 Becoming a Knight

As I walked to the park I again updated my character stats sheet with the new spells I had gained.

Elf

This race loves both the sea and the forests

Long-lived they are the masters of life magic

They favor the healing and magic class

Both hunters and melee warriors do arise

The Elf’s favor the night and worship the moon goddess

Racial ability quickness, for 5 seconds elves can move at twice normal speed

Updated Stats at level 4

Strength = 280

Agility = 280

Intellect = 85

Mana = 5000

Health = 320

Speed = 280

Buffs

Underwater Breathing

You have received a permanent buff that enables you to breathe underwater

Ama’s buff of the succubae

Radiates sexuality

Gaiatoci’s buff of life and mana

Capable of receiving both life and mana as they are the same

Abilities

Dragon eyes the ability to see as a Dragon sees

Dragon Fire the ability to cast the fire of a Dragon

Dragon Shadows the ability to wrap yourself in the shadows

Sonic shard the high-frequency attack that bypasses armor to do soft tissue damage.

Sonic Blast an area of effect attack that causes a dazed and confused debuff on all enemies within its range for one minute, all damage done during this time is multiplied times two.

Icy water bolt

The ability to cast an icy water bolt that freezes on contact

Electrical discharge

The ability to discharge electrical currents from your hands

You have mastered the ability of metamorphic change

Stealth detection enabled

Metamorphic change

You can now shift your body from human to demon

Physical DPS Wrath of Light

your blows increase damage output is increased by 25 percent instant cast

Healing spell Holy Health

You can cast a heal every 10 seconds heals for 50 percent uses 20 percent of your mana

Spell attack Holy Fire

As you attack you can cast Holy Fire A spell that does an additional 20 percent base damage, and 30 percent against the undead, demons and those aligned with the darkness

Skillset

Lock picking, the basics active skill set

Lock picking advanced

Lock picking master level

Companions

The Demon Sebastian

The holy Messenger Komhether

Pet companions

Crusty the Crab

Nanobot integration into game avatar

Defensive capability, self-healing

Offensive capability, electrical discharge from hands

Strength increase four times normal human

PIM integration into Gaming Interface

Stealth detection enabled

Upgraded map functions

Ability to make calls to the Real World

Ability to access GNet from within the game

Ability to leave and enter the game

Avatar integration into gaming matrix

You are not recognized as a player and the gaming AI has no control over you

Class

Ascendant class

You have gained the essences of three higher powers and have been transformed in a Higher Being.

You are now a Demigod and can continue the path of ascendancy by gaining the essences of higher powers.

Thief class

You have discovered the hidden class of thief and have been accepting into the dark brotherhood.

Thief Subclass

Paladin A Holy warrior

capable of damage both physical and magical the Paladin can also heal.

Not to bad I thought as I stared at the updated notes in my PIM. It was still foggy, the mist had not left the city at all and the day was turning to night. The dampness had a way of stealing into your clothing and chilling you. Choosing to find an Inn for the night I realized that I would need to gather some supplies. Going to the first store I saw open I walked in and began to look at the goods on the shelves.

“May I help you,” The storekeeper asked with a smile. “We have an excellent selection of goods here, from the mundane to the exceptional. What are your needs, sir?”

Glancing at the storekeeper I saw that he was eager to make a sale, the business must be slow, the game economy had been based on a steady influx of players and that had dried up thanks to the Old Bastards. Turning my attention back to the shopkeeper I asked, “Do you have any gear for adventures, the good stuff, a tent, a pack a small cooking hearth along with some rations along with several changes of clothing fit for hard travel. Also a Bow and arrows along with a Poleaxe plus A couple of belt bags for storage.”

Licking his lips, the man began to scurry around the shop grabbing items and placing them on the counter. When he was finally done I had a pack that would hold the tent and cooking utensils as well as the food and extra clothing. In addition, I had three more belt bags with 20 slots each which would allow me to carry a lot of goods. I love the magic in the game.

I also had a personal hearth and a normal bow and arrow along with a nice Poleaxe. Glancing down the counter I noted he had several packs of smokes for sale, I guess he was buying them from Sebastian’s operation and then marking them up. Nice, he should hang a 7/11 sign outside his door. I purchased all the smokes he had, they stacked in piles of 20, so I had 60 packs taking up 3 slots in one of my belt bags.

As I paid for the items, the storekeeper asked, “Would you want to buy a mid grade enchant for the Poleaxe? I have several in stock, fire, Ice, poison and slowdown. They are 100 gold each.

I stared at the storekeeper and then looked at the Poleaxe, any little bit helped, but I would like something a little more than the basic spells. “Do you have any other enchants, something that will do a little more damage? Every little bit helps and I don’t want something that has a chance to proc on every third hit.”

The innkeeper stood for a moment and then said, “If you have the gold I have one thing, it is called the heptagon enchant. It holds 7 enchants and they can all be applied to your weapon, so while they may not all proc at once the chances are that something will be proccing with every swing. I do have to tell you that it is only loaded with Fire, Slowmo, Ice and Poison. The Mage that made it never filled the last three enchant slots.”

This was an amazing find, and I wanted it, I knew that storekeeper was going to try to bust my bank on the price, but what the heck, it was worth the price. “I would like to see this item,” I asked trying to keep the excitement out of my voice.

Once the storekeeper returned with what looked like a 7-sided small stone I gently picked it up and examined it. My Dragon eyes showed that it glowed with magical energy and that there were three empty slots that could receive an enchant. It was also apparent that it was made to be attached to the pommel of the weapon which would then activate the enchants.

Being midgrade enchants they would last for a number of years with the mana that part of the structure of the spells. As I stared at the stone I knew I could modify it and make the enchants much more powerful. In fact, by using the stone as a diagram I could take my weapons and modify them without having to use the stone. All I needed was enchants.

“I will take the stone and any enchants you might have in stock,” my voice sounded confident as I made the purchase. In told I spent 4000 gold, a small fortune. In return, I received the stone and 8 more enchants. Thanking the merchant, I made my way out the door before he tried to sell me anything else.

It was now night time and the city was in darkness, I slipped into Shadows and slowly made my way down the street, eventually I arrived at the secret entrance to the park. Making sure I was not followed I opened the gate and slipped through. I was planning on camping next to the old temple at the far end of the park.

Taking my time, I slowly strolled along the stream and through the bushes and trees, climbing the little knoll I made my way down towards the old temple. As I walked along the path I recalled what had happened in the secret room buried within the earth. I had somehow gained the two swords and the guardian roses, they had become a part of my flesh, only to be ripped from me by the Eldest and then used to kill the earth mother.

I stopped and stared at nothing as I thought of the past. I wanted the Eldest sometimes called the firstborn to pay for what he had done. Knowing there was nothing that I could do now I continued on, entering the temple and moving to where the hidden entrance was. I quickly opened it and then descended into the darkness.

My Dragon eyes were more that up to the task and I could see as if it were a cloudy day. I made my way down the passageway, finally halting as I looked at the area I had not explored on my previous visit. I could see no traps and the walls were made of worked stone. It seemed safe so I continued on traveling for an hour. Eventually, I came to a side door in the passageway, I considered continuing on or exploring what was behind the door.

It felt like I was in one of the old game shows from long ago, I could almost hear the voice say “And behind this door is, a new car.” There would be no new car for me, but there could be something of value. I slowly grabbed the handle and began to turn it. It was not locked but the door had not been opened in a log time, Fortunately, I was far stronger than a normal elf thanks to my Nanobots and the door opened to the pressure I was applying.

I stepped inwards, knowing that the door was not going to be closing on it own, the room was rectangular in shape and had several benches along each wall. At the far end was an altar with a flaming pot and some incense. There were three spirits standing in a triquetra, and another waiting for me as I entered the room.

He led me to the first spirit who began to speak, “I represent the Holy grail of the knights of Ilumberia, know my wisdom, know my thoughts.”

The spirit guide then led me to the next spirit who began to speak, “I am the General who wields the weapon of power which can both Heal and Wound, know what I do.”

The guide then led me to the third spirit who looked at me and said, “I am the one who holds the Crown and the responsibility of it rest on my word, which is law. Know my words.”

The guide then led me along a path that formed the shape of the triquetra which I recalled was known as a trinity knot. It took a long time to walk the path and it became more difficult as I did so. When I finally arrived at the altar I was trembling with the effort, it had taken all I had to make it to the end of the pathway.

As I stood there the three spirits arrived and I was told to kneel. As I knelt down the first spirit placed his hands on my head and blessed me. Then the second spirit raised his sheathed sword and from left to right tapped both my shoulders. The last spirit then also placed on hand on my chest and one hand on my head and also blessed me.

At this point all three spirits spoke and said, “Go forth as a Knight of Ilumberia then they all faded. The whole thing had happened very fast and the fact was I had gone on a hunch and completed the tasks. This may have been some kind of in-game quest that had never been activated when the game went live or perhaps it was a quest just waiting for the player to find it.

It did not really matter what it was, I had completed it and the proof was on the altar. A book had appeared shining with a purple aura. I picked it up and read, The Great Spellbook of Law, Tactics, Weaponry and History. I stood there holding the book and then opened it and began to read, time passed by as the pages turned.

I was not capable of stopping until I reached the end of the book. The knowledge within the book burned itself into my brain, and body, I learned of Battle spells and the true meaning of the Law. I suddenly understood tactics and how to command troops and read the land. The history of the order was opened to me, and I realized that these knights were the in-game equivalent to the Knights of Saint John and the Knights Templar in the real world with one difference. Here the Knights of Ilumberia actually had magic and used it.

Perhaps the most important thing I gained was the knowledge of weapon mastery. I knew all the forms and exercises for most any weapon I could think of. I may not have the skill yet but with practice I knew I could master any weapon. Then it all faded into my mind but a new icon appeared on my interface. I accessed it and saw several submenus appear. Placing the Battle magic and the weapons icons on my main interface I closed the rest.

Looking around I saw that the room was now empty and even as I turned the altar and incense along with the flaming pot all faded from sight. I left the room and made sure to shut the door. Then continued down the passageway. I glanced at my character stats and added the Weapons master and Battle magic to my growing list of abilities and skills. The list now read,

Elf

This race loves both the sea and the forests

Long-lived they are the masters of life magic

They favor the healing and magic class

Both hunters and melee warriors do arise

The Elf’s favor the night and worship the moon goddess

Racial ability quickness, for 5 seconds elves can move at twice normal speed

Updated Stats at level 4

Strength = 280

Agility = 280

Intellect = 85

Mana = 5000

Health = 320

Speed = 280

Buffs

Underwater Breathing

You have received a permanent buff that enables you to breathe underwater

Ama’s buff of the succubae

Radiates sexuality

Gaiatoci’s buff of life and mana

Capable of receiving both life and mana as they are the same

Abilities

Dragon eyes the ability to see as a Dragon sees

Dragon Fire the ability to cast the fire of a Dragon

Dragon Shadows the ability to wrap yourself in the shadows

Sonic-Shard the high-frequency attack that bypasses armor to do soft tissue damage.

Sonic Blast an area of effect attack that causes a dazed and confused debuff on all enemies within its range for one minute, all damage being done during this time is multiplied times two.

Icy water bolt

The ability to cast an icy water bolt that freezes on contact

Electrical discharge

The ability to discharge electrical currents from your hands

You have mastered the ability of metamorphic change

Stealth detection enabled

Metamorphic change

You can now shift your body from human to demon

Physical DPS Wrath of Light

your blows increase damage output is increased by 25 percent instant cast

Healing spell Holy Health

You can cast a heal every 10 seconds

heals for 50 percent of life and uses 20 percent of your mana

Spell attack Holy Fire

As you attack you can cast Holy Fire A spell that does an additional 20 percent base damage, and 30 percent against the undead, demons and those aligned with the darkness

Battle magic

You have gained knowledge of the battle magic used by the Mage Knights of Ilumberia

Weapon mastery

You have gained knowledge of the weapon skills used by the Mage Knights of Ilumberia

Skillset

Lock picking, the basics active skill set

Lock picking advanced

Lock picking master level

Companions

The Demon Sebastian

The holy Messenger Komhether

Pet companions

Crusty the Crab

Nanobot integration into game avatar

Defensive capability, self-healing

Offensive capability, electrical discharge from hands

Strength increase four times normal human

PIM integration into Gaming Interface

Stealth detection enabled

Upgraded map functions

Ability to make calls to the Real World

Ability to access GNet from within the game

Ability to leave and enter the game

Avatar integration into gaming matrix

You are not recognized as a player and the gaming AI has no control over you

Class

Ascendant class

You have gained the essences of three higher powers and have been transformed in a Higher Being.

You are now a Demigod and can continue the path of ascendancy by gaining the essences of higher powers.

Thief class

You have discovered the hidden class of thief and have been accepting into the dark brotherhood.

Thief Subclass

Paladin A Holy warrior

Capable of damage both physical and magical along with an ability to heal

Mage Knight class

You have joined the Mage Knights of Ilumberia

you are dedicated to truth justice and knowledge.

Wow, I needed to level up and do so in a hurry or all of what I had gained would be useless. I resolved that before I entered the abandoned city proper I would work on the enchants for my Maces and the Poleaxe.

Continuing on I eventually began to climb a long flight of circular steps, finally, they ended at a door. It was locked but using my skills as a thief I quickly picked the lock and then pushed open the door. I could see no one present so I entered the room and closed the door.

I could see I was in a circular room and with stairs that led both up and down. I quickly explored the tower, it was four stories high and the bottom locked doorway led out to a street. I was in the abandoned zone. The top of the tower was flat and had a small room on it that held a stack of wood and a stove along with a bench and a simple bed. I quickly made a fire and soon the room was warm I lit the candles I had found in the room along with an oil-filled lamp that smelled of fish.

Unpacking my camping gear, I laid down the blankets and put my cloak on top of them. I then locked the door and made a simple meal of bread cheese and a spicy sausage. Once I was done my meal I cleaned up and then sat on the bed and pulled out the heptagon enchanted stone. This was going to take a while I thought and then began to submerge myself in the intricacies of the enchantment. After several hours I had an understanding of how the magic worked and I felt I could adapt it to work on my Maces and the Poleaxe.

By the time I was done both Maces now had the ability to proc one of the four enchants on the heptagon. With every swing, one or more of the enchants should activate, and they would stack. Unfortunately, the Poleaxe would not accept my enchants, and I ended up placing the Heptagon on the end of it. This worked and the weapon began to glow with a rainbow hue of colors. It was puzzling why I could not enchant the Poleaxe, but it still worked out in the end.

Reverse engineering spells and enchants was an ability I had through the use of my Dragon eyes, and I resolved to keep it hidden. Actually, as I thought about myself I decided to try to keep a low profile on this trip and during my stay with the Dwarves, a spy should not be noticed. With that I covered myself and closed my eyes, I needed to rest for a few hours before hitting the Abandoned city.