Aliser's eyelids twitched open, revealing a familiar sight. The large sentinel-like trees, dressed in their azure leaves.
A sharp pain lanced through his skull. His vision blurred, a kaleidoscope of colors and shadows. A heavy weight pressed against his chest, making it difficult to breathe. He sat up and walked out of the hollowed tree.
So we secured the shelter, good. It's a start to surviving this place.
The last thing he remembered was the final thud of the Corrupted's head falling to the ground.
Then, darkness.
Now, a soft glow surrounded him, a comforting warmth that enveloped him. As his consciousness returned, he realized the glow was the midday sun.
"Look who decides to wake up."
Alister looks to the owner of the voice.
It was Olivia, her sun-kissed skin did absolutely nothing to hide her beauty under the midday sunlight.
"I was starting to get worried you wouldn't wake up."
"How long have I been out for?"
Alister asked curiously.
Olivia didn't speak for a couple seconds, then spoke in her soft tone:
"Three days, luckily no Corrupted attacked in that time."
Alister's eyes widened a bit, he was surprised but he knew that he would be out for a while.
"So, what are the damages,"
He prepared himself, Alister knew that there would undoubtedly be casualties.
Olivia pauses, her normal confident and stoic expression fading. Her expression fell into one of regret and remorse. It didn't change either, Alister wasn't there when they were fighting. But he could tell just from her expression, the casualties were not small.
"Out of the fifteen of us at the start, only six of us in total remain. Eight dead, they were brutally killed at that. Torn limb from limb, gutted, throat torn from their necks, it was brutal and cruel."
Olivia still seems distraught from witnessing the cruel encounter.
Just as she finished talking, the survivors of the Corrupted showed their faces. Olivia was right, only six, including himself, remaining. The remaining included: Alister Aetherbound, Olivia Emberstone, Gabriel, Quinn, Sophia and April.
Gabriel, he is a sturdy boy that stands vigilant, his broad frame well-suited to the oversized shield strapped to his back and the hefty ax he wields with ease, the last tank type in the group. His dark, tousled hair falls over determined eyes, the color of steel. Clad in simple leather armor.
Quinn, she is an archer, she is a lithe and agile young woman with sharp, keen eyes that reflect her sharp intellect and focus. Her long, dark black hair is often tied back in a practical braid, and her skin has a pale skin. She wears a fitted, forest-green tunic and leather armor.
Sophia, the last assassin. She has golden blonde hair with the eyes to match. Her hair is neck length with beige colored skin. She is short in stature, standing at roughly five foot three. Wearing long plum colored garments and a flowing raven black cape, with the leather armor under her garments.
April, the only remaining healer. She as well has blonde hair, dirty blonde at that. Pale skin that blends into her white clothing. A calm expression on her face. She was the one that healed Alister's wounds after his fight.
They had no last names, meaning they didn't belong to any clan. People without any renown, or rather none to elevate them to any status. But Alister considered them his comrades after the endeavor they went through.
"Olivia, do you remember the names of those who died?"
Alister asked with a face of determination.
Olivia looked confused, then the realization of his question settled into her mind. The vow Alister made to the group, he truly was going to uphold it.
Olivia nods.
"Alright, then can you come with me? They'll be on my back, I need someone to do it."
Once again Olivia nods.
Alister makes his way to a tree and one by one he unbuttones his already torn shirt. The fabric slides off his shoulders and he sets it on the ground. He looked down at his chest and saw that the previous wounds from the Corrupted was completely healed, matter of fact it looks like he wasn't even wounded at all.
Alister kneeled down and leaned against the tree, his bare back in view of Olivia and the others. Quinn handed Olivia one of her daggers. Olivia stared down at the dagger, then Alister's back, she walks over to Alister and kneels down. She placed a hand on his back and brought the knife to his skin.
Alister feels Olivia's warm skin against his, as well as the cold steel tip of the dagger. He braced himself and bit his bottom lip to distract himself.
It did very little to distract him as Olivia started carving. With a cold, deliberate precision, Olivia etched the name of the fallen into Alister's flesh. Noah, Violet, Raya, Demi, Ari, Kate, Lexi, Blair and Morgan.
The names took only minutes to carve, but for Alister, it felt like hours. The sounds that came out of his mouth were muffled but the agony and the hoarse voices he let out was a reminder to everyone who watched how intense the pain was. He passed out from the pain twice, but he saw his vow to the end.
If the rest of the group that survived didn't respect him, they did after today.
After Olivia finished carving, Gabriel picked up the unconscious Alister and carried him back to the hollowed out tree, placing him on his stomach. Then he walked away, only for Quinn to come up to Alister and stare down at him, crouched down and gently moved hair from his pain-stricken face.
Despite his unconscious state, the system spoke in the ear of Alister.
[Congratulations! The Primordial Craftsman, as well as the six major gods admire your tenacity and resolute nature. You will be rewarded.]
[You are the first to receive this achievement in this generation.]
[Enhancing rewards.]
[You have received an ability: Luck's Chosen.]
[You have received an item: Puresteel Sword.]
[You have received an item: Horror Corrupted Essence Core 1x.]
[You have received an item: A Letter From The Primordial Craftsman.]
***
After a few hours, Alister's eyes slowly twitch open.
The first thing that Alister saw was none other than Quinn. Her long black hair was untied and her green eyes met with Alister's.
"Quinn? Why are you here?"
Alister inquired.
"Someone had to watch over you. Gabriel and Sophia are on look out, while Olivia and April are foraging for food. Wild berries and vegetables grow around here."
Quinn had a quiet voice, some would call her soft spoken. Which would fit her perfectly.
"I see, so you were the one that volunteered to watch over. That's sweet of you, Quinn."
He said, wincing in pain as he attempted to get up, only to be pushed back down gently by Quinn. A let out a pained groan escaped his lips.
"Lay back down, you're still hurt. You need to stay off your feet for a couple days at the very least."
Quinn protested.
Alister sighed at the inconvenience.
"The Aetherbound clan is a clan blessed by the god Aether, both in physique and intellect. One of the blessings is its regenerative capabilities. I'll be back on my feet in a day or two."
Alister explained.
"Well still, don't push yourself."
Quinn added with some worry in her voice.
Alisher sighed in annoyance.
Then called his system status screen as was surprised at what he saw:
***
Name: Alister Aetherbound.
Alias: —
Rank: Dormant.
Essence Core: 1 Core [0/3000].
Inventory: [Trusty Sword], [Leather Bracers], [Leather Greaves], [Bread 5x], [Water Canteen 2x], [Mistgray Chestplate], [Puresteel Sword], [Horror Corrupted Essence Core 1x], [A Letter From The Primordial Craftsman].
Remnants: [Clawstalker].
Aspect Rank: [???]
Aspect: [Primordial Craftsman].
Abilitiess: [Novice Crafter], [Intuitive Design], [Primitive Alchemy], [Luck's Chosen].
Aspect Description: [Created by the chaos of the beginning energies of the worlds, the primordial, Ketharoth was created. His passion for crafting burned as hot as all the stars.]
Lineage: [Primordial Craftsman].
Lineage Abilities: [Rapid Crafting], [Rudimentary Enchanting], [Weapon Repairer], [Essences Connection].
Time Remaining: [2113 hours].
People Remaining: [47,187].
A lot has happened and it seems that more than 2000 people have died. When did I obtain all of these items as well? A remnant as well? As well as an ability. Where did these all come from?
Alister had many questions that he knew he couldn't answer or have them answered, but he did know he probably got the [Mistgray Chestplate] from the clawstalkers.
But what intrigued him the most was the [A Letter From The Primordial Craftsman] item. He focused on it and it popped into his hands. Alister eyed it skeptically then started to open the letter. But it just seemed like a regular letter, although if what the item's name said was true, it was a letter from his predecessor.
The content of the letter read as follows:
Dear Alister Aetherbound,
I want to extend my sincerest congratulations, when I heard that someone had the qualifications for my aspect I was simply overjoyed.
I've been watching you for only a short amount of time, but I can tell that there is something special in you. Your determination and resolve as well as your tenacity are really something special.
I hope you like the gifts I gave you, a sword perfect for enchantment and a decent rank essence core for experimentation. Also don't be convinced that all the "six major gods" are the ones that gave you all that stuff, it was me. They just slapped their names on it, the young pups are quite selfish like that.
Anyways i'll be observing your progress in the future and be hoping to see the weapons and enchantments. You are bound for great things, continue this path you walk and show me your greatness.
May the blessing of essence be with you, My successor.
Sincerely Ketharoth, The Primordial Craftsman.
That's…A lot to take in. Did he call the six major gods "young pups?" Just how high up in the hierarchy of gods is he?
Alister looks through his inventory for anything that fits the bill of "a perfect sword for enchanting." Then his eyes set on the [Puresteel Sword], he focused on it and the description pops up.
Item Name: [Puresteel Sword]
Items Description: [A sword made of steel that is completely free and pure of impurities. Channels essence perfectly].
Short and sweet it seems.
Alister thought.
Alister wants to experiment, but not while Quinn is here.
He sighs.
What a predicament I find myself in.