Three days after leaving Shirgrim, Yuze finally revealed at least part of his intentions. After traveling the better part of the day, he gathered the party and told them, “This will likely be the last day we rest and train. A storm approaches. Darkness will come, and when it does, we must be prepared for anything.”

  Mags glanced skyward. “Why the riddles? What are you talking about, Kiyashi? If you know something, tell us!”

  “I’ll tell you what is needed and no more. Use your time wisely and prepare. We’ll reach out destination in another day’s travel, and by Tenacity, I promise it won’t be uncontested.”

  Marek blew out a breath, his frustration rising. “You’ve dragged us to Basar, taken us half the world away from our companions and the journey Mags and I began well before we met you. Tell us, Yuze, where are we going and what is this darkness you speak of?”

  The monk inclined his head. Eyes closing, he replied, “My reasons aren’t only my own. You’ll see this in due time, I promise. As we’ve done previously, we will train this evening and then travel in the morning at first light. Trust me as Gorb and Niamh did.” When Marek pressed the monk for a deeper explanation, Yuze answered minimally. “Sanctuary lies to the east. This alone I’ll tell you.”

  After refusing to reveal more, Yuze took Mags off for another of their nightly sessions. Marek and Ashurai tired themselves by sparring. Afterwards, Marek headed off alone to spend a little time with his daemon before night fell.

  “This is no hunt!” Allon complained. “Skinny rabbits have skinny souls! I am a daemon of the Rift! I need to eat!”

  Marek groaned. “We’ve been over this. Look, can you see any enemies around? There isn’t a soul in sight for miles! What do you suggest? Should we ask Ashurai if he minds letting you devour his spirit?”

  Allon stilled, his creepy eyes widening a little. “Oh, Massster! Do you think he would—”

  “No!” Marek snapped. He laughed and swatted at the daemon’s head. “No, he would not let you do that. Calm down already and be grateful for the few hares we’ve found. This is good, Allon. We handle the camp’s need for food each night, and you get a snack as well.”

  The daemon growled and then swooped down from the mound Marek stood upon. Seconds later, Marek heard a shriek in the underbrush. Allon floated back with a lifeless rabbit in his jaws. Dropping it at his master’s feet, he rasped, “If not hunting men or monsters, can we at least get stronger? How many levels did Master gain? Why wait? Why not give Allon more power?”

  Marek sighed. His familiar had a point, but he hadn’t recovered from that darkness that had nearly swallowed him whole. “I’m sorry, Allon. There’s no excuse. I know I have the staff now, but… . I’m simply afraid.”

  “Fear nothing!” Allon howled. “Staff to make safe. Levels to make stronger! Please, Master!”

  Marek closed his eyes. He saw flashes of swirling shadows, an army summoned by his own addled mind, power beyond belief and yet no control, no awareness. He’d come so very close to destroying his friends and allies.

  “Must be stronger,” Allon said in a calmer tone. “The old one is afraid. Of what, Master? We must growth and sharpen our claws.”

  The logic of this statement was irrefutable. “Fine,” he relented. “We can take a look, but I’m not promising anything but the Attribute Points.”

  Allon yowled in glee and swooped above Marek’s head in a spiral of flowing shadow.

  Chuckling, Marek examined the changes that had taken place since the great battle’s conclusion. Immediately, he was struck dumb. He knew much of his memory of the great battle was lacking, but the extent of this loss staggered him.

  ***

  Congratulations! Journeyman Remnant Mage has been promoted to Master Remnant Mage!

  Current Rank: Level 45

  ***

  “If you’re watching this, Tenacity, I hope you’re proud. Damn, Allon! We gained over twenty levels in a single day!” His eyes bulged as he sifted through a slew of information. It was overwhelming, to say the least. “Gods, this is a lot to think over. A second Trait, six available Skill Points, and I’ll be damned! Hitting the Master Level Threshold Break awarded me with two Skill Evolutions! Looks like Spirit Body is finally going to hit Tier 2!”

  This tale has been unlawfully lifted without the author's consent. Report any appearances on Amazon.

  Another bit of good news startled him more than anything else. “Achievement? I haven’t even heard of those. Look, Allon, you gained one too!”

  ***

  Achievement Unlocked: By binding over one thousand spirits in a single day, Marek Kaiteras has earned the title and perk Mad General.

  Mad General: Allows for instantaneous use of Command Spirit and significantly decreases casting time of any summoning Spells, including but not limited to Specialized Unit and Elevate Champion.

  Familiar Achievement Unlocked: By devouring over one hundred souls in a single day, Allon the daemon has earned the title and perk Monstrous Maw.

  Monstrous Maw: Allows for faster consumption of souls and increased physical damage of biting attacks. A larger portion of ether derived from consumed souls will supply both familiar and master.

  ***

  The daemon purred in delight. “I tried to tell you, Kaiteras! Feeding Allon is best. Bigger mouth, more souls to eat, stronger we become!”

  “It’s a really good achievement. I can’t believe I’m going to say this, but you’re right, Allon. Letting you feast was a good idea. My own perk is exciting too. Quicker summoning means more time to act. Now, what shall we decide next? Personally, I’d like to look into what options I have for new Abilities.”

  “Points!” Allon roared. “Give us the points, Master!”

  Marek laughed as he brought up the relevant screen. One of his last clear memories was of assigning 26 AP from thirteen level gains before he entered the fight directly. Those were responsible for Allon’s growth, and now that he had 18 more to assign, he couldn’t imagine how immense his familiar would become.

  He’d spread out ten of those points evenly between Dexterity and Constitution. The rest had raised his Willpower to a staggering 53, and that didn’t include the bonus his new cloak lent him.

  Marek tried to remember key moments in the fight—the clash with the immense compound Graysoul, for one. Little came back to him other than the importance of Spirit Body. “Nearly everything comes down to Willpower,” he said, stroking Allon under his chin. “Do you have anything against dropping it all in that Attribute?”

  His familiar’s response came immediately. “All are good, but Strength feeds me directly. If Master allows, maybe some there too?”

  Marek’s measly Charisma of 12 was laughable, but he’d decided to leave that well alone. The debuff to his Mana Core had reduced significantly as well, so Intelligence was also out of the question.

  Assigning and confirming his available points, Marek endured the electric storm of enhancement. Without the blanket of his madness, the experience wasn’t nearly so enjoyable, yet in the end, it was over soon enough. Strangely, Allon didn’t change much at all. After a brief spurt of growth, the daemon leveled out. This brought up a few questions, but Marek decided to check on his status before looking into it. A mischievous laugh fell from his lips when he saw his Attributes listed. Little wonder the world fears my Class. When I started this, I was weak in every way. Principalities, a Willpower of 61! It’s hard to imagine how I can get any stronger!

  Despite how much pride Marek felt about his accomplishments, his daemon had fallen into a pitiful fit. Thrashing about, the creature snapped and growled incessantly. “Not fair! Why not stronger? Master, what is wrong?”

  Using Empath’s Gaze, Marek managed to poke around until he found the command phrase Familiar’s Status. When he read the information, a smile spread on his lips. “Oh, I don’t think you should fret, my friend. I’ve plenty of good news for you.”

  ***

  Congratulations! Your familiar has reached a critical stage in growth. The following evolutionary paths have been unlocked:

  Shadowbound: Further linking his core to the darkness he came from, your familiar will gain Attributes and Abilities linked to deceit, corruption, and stealth.

  Dragonkin: Further linking his core to the dragonkin that inspires the physiology of daemons, your familiar will gain Attributes and Abilities linked to destruction, strength of body, and physical resilience.

  Psionic: Further linking his core to the psychic connection of his master, your familiar will gain Attributes and Abilities linked to intuition, telekinesis, and resilience to all non-physical damage.

  ***

  Allon quieted immediately upon hearing his choices. Never had Marek witnessed such intense focus from the creature. And though he knew which direction the daemon would likely desire, he waited to hear it from Allon directly.

  Shyly, the shadowy creature whispered in Marek’s ear.

  Marek laughed so hard he offended his familiar, and then laughed again when Allon scowled at him angrily. Before the poor thing could raise any complaints, however, he finalized the selection and sat back to watch a miracle unfold.

  Rather than merely grow, the daemon’s form evolved completely. Allon’s head changed first, more visible scales rippling backward to cover his snout and skull. Two long horns thrust from the top of his head, splitting into three prongs that swept backward to protect his neck.

  The obscure, shadowy body was next to transform. Large, hand-sized scales rose to the surface of Allon’s chest and torso, running down to his forelegs. A sturdy set of rear legs appeared soon after, followed by a long, sweeping tail. When Marek thought the evolution was complete, he was startled by two vast wings bursting from Allon’s shoulders. Sable and smokey, they appeared cut from the fabric of the night sky.

  Fifteen feet in length, Allon wasn’t perhaps the largest dragon in existence—not that Marek had ever had the displeasure of meeting one firsthand—yet he most certainly looked ferocious.

  As if to punctuate this point, Marek’s familiar flapped his wings and rose higher on the breeze. Opening his scaled maw, Allon roared loud enough to rattle Marek’s senses.

  “You ready to choose your Abilities, then? Some of these are going to make you quite happy.”

  Surprisingly, the daemon refused the offer, sweeping down and smashing Marek in the ribs with his armored head. “Show the others! Show Master’s mate! She will be proud of Allon! Come! They mussst see my scales!”

  Marek shoved the beast away and rubbed his bruised side. “Alright! Alright, we’ll show them. Do us both a favor, though, and don’t call Mags that again. I don’t care how strong you are—she’ll knock you senseless if you’re not careful.”

  Without waiting on Marek, the daemon dove into the air and flew toward camp. Shortly after, Marek heard a scream that most certainly came from his best friend. Chuckling to himself, he jogged back to explain and apologize to his companions.