Near an open clearing deep in the forest, Sakyo and Reika stand next to a small flowing river just under a rocky waterfall.
[Reika] So, before we start training, I want you to tell me what you've learned about your Bloodline Ability so far.
[Sakyo] Alright, here's what I've got so far. [Status Open].
Sakyo Wolfen
Age: 12 Years
Element: Darkness
Power: 6
Magic: 2
Vitality: 3
Speed: 4
Trick: 10
Titles:
R̷̵E̴͘D͡͝A͝C̴̴T͠Ę̢D̷̛"
R͘Ę̕D̷A̵͘C̡͏T͞E̷̡D̸̢.̸̢.̛.͠
R͡E̴̡D̢͠A̷͝C̴͘T̛͢E͟͟D̴͏
{Diabolos' Apostle}
Bloodline Ability:
{Power Construct}
Skills:
{Poison Resistance (Passive)}, {Swordsmanship (Intermediate},{Indominable Will (Passive)}, {Devil's Deal}, {Miasma Absorption}, {Beast Tamer}
[Sakyo] {Appraisal}.
{Power Construct}: To wield another's strength is not mimicry, but mastery.
Subskills: {High Reserves}, {Mana Manipulation}, {Aura Manipulation}, {Kai Manipulation}, {Karma Manipulation}
Reika can only stare at the influx of information being presented to her all at once.
[Reika] Ok, and what exactly does all that mean?
[Sakyo] Well, as far as I've been able to figure out, my ability lets me copy other Bloodline Abilities, but there are still a few limitations.
[Reika] What kind of limitations?
[Sakyo] For starters, I need to have a basic understanding of how an ability works, otherwise I won't be able to make a copy. That's why I was able to use yours and Garm's abilities, but I couldn't copy Hendrix's ability during our battle. When it was active, I could also see the flow of mana through his body when he used his ability and skills.
[Reika] Makes sense.
[Sakyo] Also, the abilities I use aren't exact copies. When I used your {Pyro Armor}, I couldn't use it right away until I made a few adjustments to best suit myself. When I changed its base element from its usual fire to my darkness element, the ability finally worked for me.
[Reika] So that's why your fire was blue during that fight, and why Hendrix's fire resistance didn't work against you.
[Sakyo] Yup, his fire resistance only worked on the fire element, not fire made from the darkness element.
[Reika] Do you think you'd be able to copy his ability now?
[Sakyo] Not exactly. His {Cryokinesis} lets him create ice and control cold temperatures, Hendrix relied on it more to strengthen his ice magic skills, so I never saw it in full.
[Reika] I see, so you can't copy it since you never saw the entirety of his ability. I'm also curious about all these manipulation abilities. What do they do?
[Sakyo] They're pretty self-explanatory. They let me freely manipulate these four types of powers, although I've only be able to use mana so far. I still don't know about the other three. I'm only able to manipulate the energy in its raw form, and I can't change its properties or turn it into a certain element that isn't my natural darkness.
[Reika] When did you figure all this out?
[Sakyo] I was bored. I needed something to do while I was in bed all week.
[Reika] I see, you've gotten a pretty good understanding of your new ability. Now then, let's see how much stronger you've grown.
They both head over to a group of boulders to the stone wall side of the waterfall. After gathering the largest ones into two reinforced nets, they tie them around their waists.
[Reika] All set. You ready for some more intense training?
[Sakyo] Remind me again what we're doing today.
[Reika] First, we'll have a light jog up and down the river a few times. Then we'll do a little rock climbing up this cliff. It can be a bit hard to find a grip, so don't worry if you fall a few times. After that, we'll cool off with a simple swim against the river current. Since this is your first time, you might not be able to swim up the waterfall yet, but you should still give it a try. Finally, we'll end the day off with an easy walk back to the capital.
Sakyo can only take a big gulp as he hears exactly what kind of training his mother has been doing since she started training alone.
[Sakyo] A-are we doing all of that with these boulder tied to us?
[Reika] Of course.
[Sakyo] (I'm gonna die.)
...
After hours of bone rattling and muscle numbing training, the mother-son duo finally heads back to the capital. Reika sweats mildly while Sakyo struggles to lift his feet for each step.
[Reika] That was some good work. You showed a lot of hustle back there.
[Sakyo] I feel like my body is trying to bury itself in the ground. Is this really the kind of training you've been doing on your own?
[Reika] Yep, it's the only way I can push myself anymore. Besides, I'm still not strong enough...
[Sakyo] Strong enough for what?
[Reika] To beat up your dad the next time I see him-
She covers her mouth quickly, her own exhaustion allowing her words to come out carelessly. Noticing her sudden movement, Sakyo asks a question that's been on his mind for years now.
[Sakyo] ...Hey Mom, who is my dad?
Her smile falters as she stops walking in her tracks. For the first time, Sakyo sees his mother hold her head down, unable to look at him directly.
[Reika] That-... That's not something I can say right now.
[Sakyo] Why not? I don't know anything about him other than the fact he's never around.
[Reika] It's... complicated. He's far away right now. Even if I told you, it's not like we'd be able to see him. And it's not like he'd make the journey here again.
[Sakyo] Is it so complicated that you can't even tell me his name?
[Reika] It's... Oktar. That's his name.
Without saying another word, Reika runs ahead, leaving Sakyo to repeat the name in his head. Even by the time he reaches the castle and lays in his bed, the name keeps repeating in his mind. Though petting Lumi's head helps a bit, it doesn't distract from what still remains unknown.
The next morning, Sakyo still can't forget his father's name. He's still so lost in thought, that he barely even feels the rustling of the girl sleep next to him.
[Sakyo] Oktar.
[Ren] (yawn) Good morning, Sakyo.
She places a sweet kiss on his cheek, not yet noticing that he isn't even paying attention to her. When she finally realizes, a worried look spreads across her face.
[Ren] Is something wrong?
[Sakyo] It's nothing. I've just got a lot on my mind.
[Ren] If you want, you can talk to me about it.
A small smile comes across his face as he pets her head with thanks.
[Sakyo] Thanks, but this isn't something you need to worry about.
She leans in closer, grasping his hand in hers.
[Ren] Don't say that. Your concerns are mine too. I'll always be here to listen to your worries.
[Sakyo] ...I really don't feel like talking about it, but thanks. If and when I do feel like talking about it, you'll be the first one I talk to.
[Ren] Promise?
This time, Sakyo is the one to lean in, pressing his forehead against hers, still holding onto her hand as if he's afraid to let go.
[Sakyo] Promise. We'll get there.
For a few moments, it feels as if time stands still as the world around them fades. They feel like the only two people in the world before the door swings open.
[Garm] Master, it is time for our training.
As Garm enters the room, Sakyo and Ren fumble out of the bed completely flustered.
[Garm] Hm? Am I interrupting something?
[Sakyo] Yeah, kind of.
[Ren] Mr. Garm, can't you knock? I was finally having a moment with Sakyo.
[Garm] Oh, I am sorry. I did not realize you were in the middle of bolstering our ranks.
[Sakyo] That's not what she meant!
...
After clearing up the misunderstanding, Garm and Sakyo headed out for a bit of training.
[Sakyo] This should be far enough. You ready?
[Garm] I am. I look forward to teaching you about my Bloodline Ability.
[Sakyo] Let's start with what we both already know. {Matter Absorption} lets us cover our most prominent features with materials we touch, right?
[Garm] Yes, I can cover my fur, and you can cover your skin, but there are a few limitations. We are only able to absorb solid materials. The ability will not work on liquids or gases.
[Sakyo] And it doesn't work on things that can't hold themselves together without outside help like sand, so we can't just absorb water and use ice armor.
[Garm] Finally, when we absorb a material, we also take on the characteristics of that material.
[Sakyo] Both strengths and weaknesses.
[Garm] Indeed, every material had its own strengths, but they also come with new weaknesses that can hinder our abilities. Heavier materials will result in heavier armor, slowing down our movements. Meanwhile, more lightweight materials will not always be very effective defensively.
[Sakyo] How do you get around those weaknesses?
[Garm] I always make sure to carry small pieces of metals in my pockets in case of emergencies. My prosthetic leg is also a convenient source of strong wood if I need it.
[Sakyo] (He finally learned how to say it.) Speaking of having materials on you, is there a limit to how many materials you can absorb at once?
[Garm] As far as I am aware, there is no limit to how much of a material I can absorb, as well as no requirement of materials to make armor. However, if you have more materials at the moment of absorption, it can increase the amount of time you will be able to maintain your armor.
[Sakyo] I see. Then, is it possible to absorb more than one material at once?
[Garm] No, unless they are already melded together, you can not absorb more than one at a time.
[Sakyo] Too bad. Anyway, that's enough questions. Let's get this training started.
[Garm] I hope my abilities will meet your expectations.
[Sakyo] You know, you can afford to loosen up a bit.
[Garm] Do not worry, Master. I stretched before we left.
[Sakyo] That's not what I... never mind. I'm just saying you could afford to stop taking everything so seriously. Maybe try adding a few wisecracks into your way of talking.
[Garm] Um, I do not see how that will be useful, but I will keep it in mind.
As the two begin training, they are unaware of the mysterious masked figure carefully watching them from the trees in the distance. After their training is complete for the day, they leave, and the figure runs away into the night.
Far far away in the forest southwest of the northern mountains, the shadowy figure comes up to an old looking temple hidden under moss and vines. Two guards stand at the entrance, blocking the door as the female walks up to them.
[Guard 1] What slithers through fang and flame?
[Mysterious Figure] The snake that bites back.
The two guards stand aside, letting the woman through. She makes her way to the deepest part of the temple where a single throne made of bones stands at the end. In the throne sits an older looking werewolf with graying brown fur and scars covering almost every inch of his body. Two younger, fierce looking werewolves stand at his side.
The young woman bows down, removing her mask and setting it to her side as her long deep gray hair is let down her back.
[Alpha] So, what did you find, Naja?
[Naja] Alpha, the rumored sightings were true. The Python is there. The scent was undoubtedly his.
[Alpha] I see, so my son is alive.
In the moment those words are spoken, the two werewolves standing at the alpha's side share a worried look between each other.
[Alpha] Naja, you will go and bring him back. It is important that my Python comes home.
[Naja] Yes, Fath-... Alpha. I will see to it that he is brough home. For the Snake Pit.
As she leaves, the alpha stands up, making his way to the center of the room. He motions for the two at his side to follow.
[Alpha] You two have done well to reach the rank of Mamba recently. I will commend you both for stepping up in the Python's absence. That being said, you both stated that you saw the wyvern kill him six years ago. What do you have to say for yourselves? Vex. Ralor.
A fierce look fills the alpha's eyes, one of silent rage and fury. His low growl grows louder with every step he takes. Both werewolves fall to their knees from the sheer pressure.
[Vex] I- we definitely saw the blood from that time.
[Ralor] R-right, and his body was not there when we went back.
[Alpha] Then tell me, how much blood did you see? Was it this much?
Without another word, the alpha beats the two younger werewolves until they're both bloody and bruised.