“With this vow, you swear to defend your people, protect the innocents along your path, and pledge yourselves to the Eternal Light, now and forever, until the day you rejoin our Winged Lady.

Do you accept?”

“WE DO!!!”

“Then, from now on, I proclaim you all Templars of the Lady of Compassion. May you never forget this day, nor this vow.

Go and be with the Light, Brothers, and Sisters.”

-Commander Lanthia, Shield of Astill.

Nashariel pov

*You have been cursed.

Curse type: Death. *

Well, duck me I guess. Nashariel thought, laying down.

Fortunately, only the initial minute flared with pure agony. Now it felt more like a continuous beating on her whole body. Miles better, but worse than she would like.

[Omnidragon body]’s conversion between damage and mana was the reason she was still alive, even if she wasn’t going to last forever. She found her annoyance towards her past choice much, much lessened. The omnidragon tried to break the cap but, much to her chagrin, she was just a few points short, even with her skill doubling her rewards against dragons and the ambient essence.

Refusing to give up, Nashariel had bought out all the remaining levels of [Mana efficiency], intending to break the cap, but its evolution required the Flow Aspect.

She couldn’t focus enough to go around in her status, thanks to the damage she was receiving.

The fire dragons were little more than bone and scales, thanks to the curse utterly destroying their body to… well, to the bone. They had been instantly overwhelmed by the pain and damage. The dragoness had carried on her initial plan against her airborne opponent and used the dark attunement to drain what she could, before switching to its diametric opposite.

The omnidragon could feel that the spell was a Bane effect, a specialty of Curse affinity. Her dark attunement had been partially resistant to the damage, but, without anything to feed upon, her health still rushed towards the zero. Will I meet Astill, today? She briefly wondered, laid down on one side. The spell was exhausting too, but she had no idea which fuel would end sooner: Her life and or the Mana powering this cursed circle?

She lost herself in thought. I should stop myself from getting into these kinds of situations. The girl chuckled. Karda was right.

As Templars, it was their duty and pleasure to aid those who requested their help, even making the ultimate sacrifice. Each time, she had been willing to put herself on the line, even knowing that she might not have survived the deed, like with the Conflagration-Core so many years ago. Thank the Goddess my favorite stats are vitality and resilience. And none of the others came here without me.

A message popped in her vision.

*Fire-Core-> Dark-Core-> Curse-Core

Absorb?

Y/N *

The prompt gave Nashariel a thread of hope. She willed the little ball to come out of her perfectly intact mantle. If I manage to drain this thing slowly, then I can make it last for the remainder of the spell! I might survive this! Hanging on this thin thread, she confirmed her choice. A small part of her refused to mar itself with Curse affinity, but Nashariel squashed it ruthlessly.

Her resources were… not winning the race. By far.

Surviving took absolute priority.

The now green-black Core slowly emptied itself. Small filaments of essence flowed into the dragoness, sluggish and heavy to her mana senses. Nashariel felt sick, but her primordial mind shoved everything that wasn’t correlated to her survival into a deep, deep hole.

The agony waned, if only slightly.

The omnidragon did her best to slow down the process, but her savior was emptying much faster than how it was filling. Nashariel hoped that it was going to be enough.

*Torment essence absorbed.

Error, Torment attunement unavailable.

Reducing in… Curse.

Curse Essence full.

The Curse Aspect is now free.

Buy?

Y/N *

A minute or two later, this prompt appeared.

The omnidragon’s eyes widened. Torment was the evolved Tier of the Curse Aspect. It wasn’t a surprise that the Aspect had unlocked so quickly.

Still, at first, Nashariel recoiled at the suggestion. As she was about to press no, the agony returned in full force. The Core wasn’t absorbing the curse anymore.

Almost against her will, Nashariel’s claws accepted the prompt.

*Curse Aspect bought.

Commencing evolution.

Two free skills have been granted. *

Agony faded once more.

The dome warped, shrinking and shrinking as if to embrace her. The spell that once tried to kill her now was helping her cocoon to form.

What a strange world. She thought, then cackled in a haunting way, until her consciousness faded.

Her status looked like a warzone, but different from Althei.

Everything was marred by dark-green runes, symbols that unsettled Nashariel. The dragon’s statue looked like a thousand years old relic, having lost a horn and an upper leg. Cracks had grown along with their whole form.

“Status report.” Commanded Nashariel. The lack of pain was doing wonders for her mental health.

*Excessive Torment essence absorbed.

User [Omnidragon (young)-Nashariel Holyshield] vitals failing.

Recalibrating…

Recalibrating…

Task failed.

The user must use excess essence or increase her resistance to survive. *

“How do I use my essence from here?”

*Calculating…

…

Possible methods found:

1- Buy skills from the Curse Aspect. Twelve, minimum. Higher tiered count for more. Merged skills count for double their components.

2- Upgrade Omnidragon body.

3- Acquire one or more Variants between the Healing, Darklight, Wood, Flow, and Hunger.

4- Acquire a total of 26 skills from said Variants.

5- Buy skills to empower your body, mind, and spirit. The minimum quantity is unknown.

No other methods have been found.

Methods may be combined.

Time remaining before total failing: 2 minutes. *

“Two minutes?!?!” Nashariel shouted. She darted towards her ruined plate.

The ambient essence was giving her a staggering amount of points, but each one of them was also killing her. Nashariel saw that she could now afford to upgrade her racial skill, but she would have little remaining if that wasn’t going to be enough. Risking everything in one skill wasn’t ideal, but Nashariel had no alternative, with her little time.

It’s make or break then.

*Upgrade Omnidragon body for 125 points?

Y/N

Points reduced to-> 21

Omnidragon body evolves into-> Omnidragon physique (II)

Omnidragon physique (II) Lvl 1

Beyond the physical realm, the Omnidragon must be prepared for any kind of assault that others may throw at her. Your body, mind, and soul become an unconquerable fortress, repelling each attack with ease, or turning into nothing but fuel for you to punish those who oppose your empire. A project that this skill will help with utmost pleasure.

All damage and secondary effect from elements received are considerably weakened. Effect increased if you’re attuned to the element attacking you.

Skills that pierces protections are weakened against you.

Omnidragon kin finds it considerably easier to absorb elemental essence to unlock new attunements, even advanced ones.

Sustaining damage always restores a small amount of mana. The damage you inflict to yourself doesn't count unless the skill specifies otherwise.

You cannot be mind-controlled, and your soul cannot be enslaved. A user must be considerably stronger than you to pierce this effect.

All other skills and spells that empower your mind, body, and soul are empowered.

Upgrade cost: 25 points Lvl. *

Without caring to read her new skill, Nashariel glanced at the timer.

*Time left: 1 minute…

Recalculating…

180 minutes.

Incoming Torment essence increased.

Recalculating…

56 minutes remaining.

Minimum Cursed skills required: 14 *

Damnation! Nashariel cursed loudly, dashing into her new chamber. She had to take it in, to recognize the pillars.

The room was… good looking, surprisingly. Green paint adorned the black room, glowing softly. The pillars themselves were more like canvases than a simple rock, on which a dull rune waited to be lighted. A pair of runes flared to life, probably her new resistance joining the others. Nashariel could perceive pain and curse.

Putting every single piece of her brain to work, the Omnidragon searched for anything useful, while her clock ticked down, and her points climbed up.

*Cursed scales and Cursed blood have been granted. Pain tolerance, Runic tattoos, Ink-like blood, Jagged claws, Barbed spikes, Painter’s hand, and Painter’s eye have been bought.

Points reduced to-> 19

Cursed scales, Cursed blood, Pain tolerance, Runic tattoos, Ink-like blood, Jagged claws, Painter’s hand, Painter’s eye, and Barbed spikes would like to merge for 30 points.

Y/N?

Time remaining: 15 minutes. *

Nashariel had to wait out for more points.

Each minute of nothing gained made her heartbeat faster, even if she wasn’t in her physical body. This merge should have sufficed for her system, and she refused to unlock more Cursed skills if she could avoid it.

C’mon, c’mon… she mentally incited the timer to go faster. The dragoness idly remembered when she did it for her awakening, instead of her imminent death. The thought made her laugh nervously.

At less than three minutes remaining, the painting decorating the walls started to drip on the floor, all of its previous elegance lost.

Less than two minutes remaining, she could afford her buy. Fingers crossed, she pressed confirmed her choice.

*Points reduced to-> 0

Cursed scales, Cursed blood, Pain tolerance, Runic tattoos, Cursed blood, Ink-like blood, Jagged claws, Painter’s hand, Painter’s eye, and Barbed spikes Merge into->

Body of the Cursed dragon Lvl 1

Cursed artists, these dragons live for the perfect stroke of their brush, caring not of the nature of their canvases. More often than not sadistic by nature, Cursed dragons’ bodies are designed to better inflict pain on others, be it physically or magically. Their blood-ink is a conduit for their curses, but also for general runic magic, un-attuned to this dark element. These artists of pain come and go announced by the screams of their victims or the gawking of their audience, but one thing’s certain: No one wants to earn their… attention.

Your body can hardly perceive any pain. You can deactivate this effect.

Your blood can seep from your claws, tail, and fangs at will. This blood is thick, and tends to stick to all solid surfaces; you may choose to hold its curse within your body.

A myriad of miniature spikes adorns your body, and your natural weapons are warped to better rip the flesh off your prey.

Your artistic sense is unmatched, and your hands stand the firmest. With a glance, you can judge the quality and value of each object of art within your sight. Accuracy increased for your work. Dexterity and awareness are considerably increased when painting, writing, or doing any kind of artistic work.

The runic tattoos on your scales are more than a simple decoration. You can modify the shape of these runes for a modified effect.

Runic magic is much easier to learn and execute.

Temporary note: Last two effects are unavailable, as maturity has not been reached.

Upgrade cost: 9 points per Lvl. You may not Tier-up this skill before your maturity.

More advanced Curse-skills are available.

Remaining time…

Equilibrium reestablished.

Torment essence is now manageable.

You are no longer cursed with death.

User [Omnidragon (young)-Nashariel Holyshield] is now safe. *

Nashariel let out the breath she held up until now. Thank the Goddess…

Sucks that I had to unlock this Aspect, but I guess surviving is much better than not. The omnidragon quickly read her new skills. Holy duck, racial skills do not disappoint! She had to hold a retch when reading the second one. Yeah, happy to have bought as little as possible. It might be good for when I'll be able to use runic magic but until then? I won't consider this… Aspect, at all.

Curses were the exact opposite of compassion, after all.

Nashariel glanced at her points. They kept rising, slightly faster than before. I haven’t even looked at my stats! She facepalmed, hard. Which didn’t hurt, considering that she had no physical body, but her point still stood. To herself. Am I going actually mad? I might need to visit Sofia again when we come back.

*Fire-dragon (young) Lvl 97-98 slain.

Hunt rewards: 26 stat and 27 skill points.

Omnidragon might double the rewards.

Omnidragon Lvl up!

Total ambient essence gathered: 178 stat and 129 skill points.

Due to extreme damage sustained, vitality and essence have been respectively increased by 10 and 14.

Name: Nashariel Holyshield

Race: Omnidragon (young)

Age: 18

Current humanoid form: Human dragokin

Current attunement: Curse

Level: 96-> 99

Available stat points: /

Available skill points: 3

Strength: 485 - 970

Power: 400 - 800

Resilience: 600 – 1200

Vitality: 650 – 1300

Dexterity: 300 - 600

Awareness: 400 - 800

Essence: 420 - 840

Endurance: 300 - 600

Hp: 13.000/13.000

Mana: 8400/8400

Stamina: 6000/6000

Skills:

Racial:

Omnidragon kin (minor) Lvl -

Omnidragon might (II) Lvl 20-capped

Omnidragon body Lvl 20-capped-> Omnidragon physique (II) Lvl 1

Draconic breath (II) Lvl 17-> 18

Draconic fighting style (II) Lvl 20-capped

Draconic Aura (II) Lvl 8-> 9

Draconic hoard Lvl 5-> 7

Air:

Improved flight Lvl 20-capped

Draconic feathers Lvl 20-capped

Water:

Venom Lvl 17

Draconic dive (II) Lvl 6

Identify Lvl 20-capped

Improved grapple Lvl 12-> 13

Mana efficiency Lvl 20-capped (Mental straining when using skills and spell with a duration is lessened)

Reduced water resistance Lvl 5

Draconic quills Lvl 6

Draconic stinger Lvl 7

Water dragon fighting style Lvl 7

Earth:

Improved burrow Lvl 10

Increased size Lvl 20-capped

Increased body density Lvl 20-capped

Earth armor Lvl 14

Hunter senses Lvl 15

Fire:

Fury Lvl 16-> 17

Sharpened natural weapons Lvl 20-capped

Improved Aoe Lvl 20-capped

Light:

Improved healing Lvl 20-capped

Light’s refuge Lvl 20-capped

Taunt Lvl 12

Dark:

Nullify presence Lvl 9-> 11

Improved draining Lvl 7-> 20-capped (effect increased)

Shroud of darkness Lvl 8

Metal:

Metal manipulation Lvl 6

Metal creation Lvl 9

Metal armor Lvl 9-> 12

Metal dragon fighting style Lvl 6-> 9

Mind:

Intellect of the Mind dragon Lvl 1-> 2

Mind healing Lvl 1-> 3

Lightning:

Body of the lightning dragon Lvl 1-> 2

Voltage generation Lvl 1-> 3

Curse:

Body of the Cursed dragon Lvl 1 *

Nashariel finished allocating her stats, then plopped on the ground, mentally exhausted. I almost died again today. She let out a nervous laugh at that. What a fricking mess.

The dragoness awoke, dark wisps vanishing around her. The spell under her feet was cracked and dry as if the desert's sun had shone on it but a moment ago. She rose on four legs, shaking off her fatigue. She stretched, feeling the last changes of her new body take hold. I hope to merge my –body skills as soon as possible. Maybe this Quest…?

“Cursed dragon!”

“Prepare the salvo!”

“Hold!” Shouted Dorel.

“Charge!”

“HOLD!” Screamed Veliel. That actually stopped the elves to transform her into a porcupine. The mind attack staggered enough people at once that Nashariel could shift back into her metal dragokin form.

“Hello again.” She said, waving as if nothing strange happened. The girl still had to endure a strike from the wolfkin’s battle-axe. It stopped dead against her scales with a loud thud.

He stared at her wide-eyed. "Are you… still you?"

“Yep. Do you mind…?” Nashariel removed the weapon. “Thank you.”

Her team approached. “Ehy boss, you look like shit.” Elegantly said Dan, with a grin.

“Your kindness is what kept me alive.”

“How close was it?” Wrote Veliel.

She stood silent for a moment, then waved her hand. “Nothing, really. I just couldn’t get out.”

“Bad liar.” Muttered Dorel. He was holding his broken tower shield like a baby. The weapon was slowly repairing itself.

Nashariel pretended to not have heard that. She looked at the wolfkin. “How are you doing?”

He shook his head, either not caring enough or… probably not caring at all. “We lost twenty-nine, and others are fighting the First Hunter.” He nodded towards Veliel. “If it wasn’t for your priestess and your medicines, many others would have lost the hunt. Thank you, all of you.” The man excused himself, walking back to his people.

Each Astillian stared at Nashariel until she sighed. "Yes, I almost died. It was… close."

“How do you feel right now?” Wrote Veliel.

The dragokin absentmindedly clutched the Core in her armor. "I'm… fine, I guess. One of my racial skills evolved, and I got another element out of this. So… better than death."

“Boss…”

“Not now, Dan. Maybe when this is over.”

The human nodded, but his fellow pointed at her chest. “What about that?”

Nashariel lowered her gaze. A dark-green pearl glowed ominously in response.

*Torment-Core (Critical condition)

150% capacity.

Absorb?

Y/N *

That’s why the counter was so low. This thing was too full to keep going! “It saved my life. I think I’ll keep it. I’m sure I’ll be able to re-attune it, with time.” Nashariel briefly thought about buying the Crystal dragon, as that was the affinity closest to these gems.

Her friends looked uneasy, but they didn’t add anything. She didn’t blame them.

The group moved to provide all possible assistance to the wounded. They needed the rest of the night, but no one else died.

“What do we do now?” Asked Dorel.

“We all need to rest. Tomorrow, we plan. Expect a visit in a cave.”

“I already feel at home,” wrote Veliel. They all chuckled at that. “About that…”

“Tomorrow.” Remarked Nashariel. Dragon or not, she felt exhausted to the bone.

They went all to sleep.

That night, surprisingly, Nashariel dreamed one of her most peaceful dreams since… a long, long time ago. Astill blesses me yet again.

The next morning, more like noon, the Templars awoke together with the elven’s activities. The villagers were busying themselves with all kinds of necessities, from smiting to changing bandages.

The teens did a quick round to search for wounded, but everything was mostly in order. They were quickly joined by Garel. He grinned. “Slept well, kids?”

They groaned. The group had been forced to sleep on the ground, with only a sheet to protect them from the cold. This forest was colder than Andriel, and being underground didn’t help much.

“Splendid! We start to plan in an hour. Be there, if you still wish to help us.” He vanished in the crowd a moment later.

Shaking her head, Nashariel turned to her friends. “What do you say?”

“We have a duty to fulfill.” Shrugged Dorel.

“I’d like to examine the place where we teleported.” Wrote Veliel.

The rest of them agreed. They had an hour to burn, after all.

They arrived in the open plaza. Everything was unchanged, more or less.

The exact zone where they had been teleported to was marred with a blue substance, smelling of roses, among all the things. It felt… empty, in a sense.

The group racked their brains, but no one could identify the strange dust. They did guess its effect, though.

"My mana is getting sapped." Noted Veliel. She tried to cast a spell through it, but the magic dissolved immediately upon contact. "Anti-magic. Evolution of Flow, probably something to cut the Flux from passing through here. Maybe Darkness has been added to the mix… Mhmm.”

“And, for dummies?” Asked Dan.

“We’re stranded. Totally stranded. We’ll need to come back on our own.” Declared the priestess. The last word was followed by the drop of her talon.

They gulped.

“We can probably ask the villagers to accompany us, to some extent. Maybe we can travel from village to village?” Proposed Nashariel.

"We don't even know where we are," Dorel grunted.

“The scout said that we are near something called ‘Fire fang’ or something like that. Does anyone know where that is?” Asked Dan, bringing out his map.

No one knew, so they searched.

They gave up. The map covered Andriel and nothing more. The forest was only bordered, but not enough to be of use for the Templars.

“Whelp, let’s ask the elves after this is done.”

Dorel hugged his shield tightly.

“How long do we have until the dragons come out of their lair?” Asked Garel. The Rangers looked at Nashariel.

Not really surprised, she replied with a hand raised. “I can’t know for sure, as I’m not a fire dragon, but when I don’t sleep for a week, I need at least two days of absolute rest. Three, if I pushed myself hard enough.”

The elves nodded. Daras took the word. “Can we set up another circle? We have enough time.”

Nashariel ignored the sensation of flames eating into her scales. She tapped the Core in her armor.

Althos shook his head. “Hendra could prepare it, not me. I unlocked my Curse affinity just last month. A Torment-based spell? Out of my reach, by far.”

He’s not meeting my eyes, Nashariel noted.

Disappointed sounds followed the statement.

“We can resort to a more mundane trap. It won’t be ideal, but it’s better than nothing.” Proposed Dan. He got some positive comments.

“What about fighting in the tunnels? There should be little space available, so the dragons won’t be able to fight.” Said Garel.

“And how do you plan of going in?” Asked the first Ranger they met, Lophien.

The wolfkin stared at Nashariel.

“I haven’t seen it, so no promises. Strength isn’t my primary focus, but not my lowest either.”

During the next hour, they planned and re-planned their encounters.

Nashariel found it eerily similar to the last moments she was in the Bastion.

A bad feeling blossomed in her heart.