Chapter 6: The Arboreal Trial
As the Young Guardian ventured deeper into the heart of the Drusken Forest, the towering and enigmatic tree stood as a sentinel, its presence impossible to ignore. It was unlike any tree they had ever seen, its ancient roots reaching deep into the very essence of the forest, as if drawing power from the cosmos itself.
With a mixture of trepidation and curiosity, the Young Guardian approached the colossal tree. Its bark bore ancient, glowing symbols that pulsed with a mesmerizing crimson light—the same hue that had come to symbolize their connection to the Djuin. As they reached out to touch the tree's gnarled trunk, they could feel a wave of energy surge through them, as if the tree were probing their thoughts and emotions.
In their mind's eye, a series of visions unfolded, each more profound and challenging than the last. They saw themselves locked in fierce combat against formidable adversaries, darkness looming all around. But in these visions, they stood their ground, unwavering and resolute.
The visions revealed that true power lay not only in destruction but also in resilience and control. They understood that their path as a Lich was not just about raw strength but about harnessing that strength with precision and finesse.
The final vision brought them to a moment of stillness, a moment of absolute concentration amidst chaos. In this vision, they found themselves standing within an invisible forcefield, impervious to the darkness that threatened to consume them. Within this protective bubble, they seamlessly shifted between their grenade and melee abilities, unleashing devastating attacks with but a single thought.
The visions faded, and the ancient tree seemed to nod in approval. It had tested the Young Guardian's resolve and found them not only worthy but exceptional.
In response, the tree bestowed upon them a singular piece of Exotic Armor—an intricate gauntlet known as "Djuin's Grasp." This gauntlet hummed with power, resonating with the Young Guardian's newfound understanding of their subclass.
Djuin's Grasp, as they discovered, granted them a remarkable ability. When stationary and engaged in combat, an invisible forcefield would envelop the Lich, offering protection from the encroaching darkness and imperviable to any light that cascaded upon its energies. The forcefield would be active indefinitely while stationary, acting as a guardian's shield against the tides of darkness.
This newfound power was not only defensive but also granted them incredible combat flexibility. While within the protective forcefield, they could seamlessly access and utilize their grenade and melee abilities without needing to switch between them. A mere thought would manifest these abilities, allowing for quick and precise strikes.
However, there was another aspect to Djuin's Grasp that remained a secret—a hidden potential waiting to be unlocked. The forcefield had the unique ability to absorb light, rendering it even more impervious to darkness-based attacks. The more light it absorbed, the harder it became for darkness subclasses to breach its defences.
As they continued their journey through the Drusken Forest, Djuin's Grasp served as a constant reminder of their growth and the trials they had faced. It was a symbol of their connection to the Djuin and a promise of even greater power to come.
With this newfound armor, they were ready to embrace their destiny as a Lich, wielding their abilities with precision and defending against the encroaching darkness. The forest held more mysteries, and the Young Guardian was prepared to uncover them, one enigma at a time.
The Young Guardian marveled at the power of Djuin's Grasp, their fingers tracing the intricate patterns etched into the exotic gauntlet. It was a gift beyond measure, a testament to their growth as a Lich, and a reminder of the mysteries that still lay before them.
As they ventured deeper into the Drusken Forest, their thoughts turned to their remaining abilities. The forest was alive with the essence of the Djuin, and they could feel its energy coursing through them, urging them to unlock their full potential.
"It is truly a shame," they mused, their voice barely more than a whisper, "that I only have one grenade and one melee ability. I haven't unlocked my class ability yet, but it should come with time and persistence."
With each step, they felt a growing connection to the forest, as if it were guiding them towards a greater understanding of their powers. They knew that their journey was far from over, and that the secrets of the Djuin were waiting to be unraveled.
The forest itself seemed to respond to their presence, the very air humming with latent energy. It was a place of untapped potential, a realm where they could hone their skills and unlock the true extent of their power.
With Djuin's Grasp as their guiding light, they pressed forward, ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead. The forest whispered promises of greater abilities and untold knowledge, and the Young Guardian was determined to seize them all.
As they walked, they couldn't help but smile beneath their helmet. The path of the Lich was not an easy one, but it was a path of growth, discovery, and the relentless pursuit of power. And they were more than ready to embrace it.
The only shred of regret he had was leaving his city behind. The last city was not at fault, but the traveller and the vanguard were more than responsible for what had befallen him and his fireteam, it was entirely their fault. If his ghost or the vanguard had shared the information about their true target they wouldn't have died in vain. He had no wish to seek revenge on his once Queen, Mara Sov. Instead he would embellish the death of his fireteam and spread unease throughout the last city and the vanguard. He would make them see that the sword that protects them also comes equipped with a hidden blade. A pulse that beats steady as it betrays its fellow guardians. He would pin the blame on the vanguard and cast out the traveller as nothing more than a self centred, self absorbed sentient machine who's only care was for self preservation.
A twisted smile once again emerged beneath the liches visor. He gleamed the reflection of his new Exotic Gauntlets Djuin's Grasp and he knew what his next objective would be.
"I grow tired of the armour I once took pride in dawning, now it is only a reminder of my failure and the betrayal that befell my fireteam. These gauntlets are but a means to an end, I crave...
"I- Hunger." Beneath the visor of the Awoken Lich, eyes as red as crimson, he breathed.