Having spent days perfecting his craft in the mountains, Rick felt a deep calling to explore the vastness of the Nexus Realm. As he descended from the misty peaks, his mind went back to the far-off oceans he had caught glimpses of, shimmering with unknown mysteries and home to countless races that had evolved in its depths. Drawn by an instinct for adventure and the challenge that lay in such wild waters, he decided to journey to the seas.
---15 days before quest ,
Rick had traveled hard through dense forested mountains and rocky coastlines to reach the edge of a brilliant turquoise sea. The waves appeared almost alive and not far from crackling with magic. This was no ordinary ocean-it pulsed with ancient forces, almost primordial.
Strange rising structures out of the sea he saw upon the horizon: a whole city formed of coral fortresses, glowing in places with luminescent algae. Here was the domain of the Myrid, an ancient race which legend said had been blessed by the ocean gods with both wisdom and deadly cunning.
When Rick entered more waters, a group of Myrid warriors came out from the ocean. They were humanoid in shape but had fishlike features: scaled skin which shines like some kind of mirror, long limbs, and piercingly glowing green eyes. Their weapons resembled organic coral and bone extensions carved and sharpened by the sea itself.
---
A great mass of seashell armor, armed with a trident bristling in every direction with dark coral, hailed Rick across the waves. "Surface-dweller, why trespass upon our sacred seas?"
Rick felt a confluence of curiosity and caution in their approach. Testing his strength, to understand his intentions, the Myrid warriors moved to form a loose circle around him, moving with a grace that was dangerous as they prepared to defend their domain.
Based on his newly acquired skills in the arts of emotion, Rick appeared confident and stalwart. His emotions radiated outwards to calm the agitation in the water, which told the Myrid that he was not there as an enemy.
Still, the chieftain did not seem convinced, so he demanded a demonstration of power.
Two of the Myrid warriors thrust at Rick with spear-like arms, moving with fluid and speed like ocean predators. Rick knew he needed to earn their respect through strength; he prepared himself.
Rick called upon his adaptation of dragon power, Tidal Scales; his skin stiffened into the rough scales of a dragon, although it moved fluidly, like water. The Myrid spears hit his scales; sliding off his skin harmlessly, he countered every blow without sweating.
Realizing he needed to get a handle on the battlefield, Rick unleashed Abyssal Grasp, calling forth shadowy tendrils to snake through the water, wrap around the warriors, and immobilize them briefly. It was a display of power that sent a ripple of awe and respect through the watching Myrid.
---
The Myrid warlord tossed his trident high to indicate to his warriors to stop. Astounded at the display made by Rick, he welcomed Rick with an assertion that said, "You command both light and darkness, might and restraint. No other sea-floor inhabitant could match you.". Massive coral structures spiralled upward towards the surface of the ocean. The bioluminescent flora lighted up the streets, making it so alive and beautiful. Lanterns and stones, with shining algae embedded, lit the way and had the rays refracted through the bubbles and currents. Exotic schools of fish darted about in the towers of the coral, as if they were following some sort of choreography in the color flashes they created against the deep blue backdrop. The Myrids: tall, sleek, moving fluidly in the water. Swimming, looking sideways with interest and a measure of caution at this stranger in their midst.
Rick felt a rush of nostalgia mixed with ambition. He had lived as a Myrid once, in a far-off life. He'd never fully realized the potential of power held by the Myrid. This time, things would be different.
Led across town to The Vault of Tides by the sea, which is actually the sacred library of the Myrids. Grand and dark with its great spiral of interwoven coral, where the lights play across the glistening, emerald strands of algae set against the inky blacks of the depths. Everywhere the carvings stand on the old sea life and symbols to tell another story of their storied past.
Two guards, with spears covered in precious stones, sized him up silently before allowing him in. Inside, shelves of ancient scrolls and artifacts floated weightlessly, tethered by thin, transparent tendrils that kept them from drifting with the water's gentle currents. The air-or rather, the water-was thick with reverence, and Rick could feel the weight of the knowledge stored within the walls of this ancient structure.
A council of elders waited in the middle of the room, stoic, yet with sharp eyes, as if carved out from the ages themselves. They watched him with a scrutiny that did not go unnoticed. For each and every one of them represented the power of the Myrid arts-the ocean's mighty forces at their very tips. Rick had his intentions-to learn from them-but he would need their approval first.
"Outsider," one elder started, his voice low and slow, as though formed by the currents themselves. "What brings you into the heart of our sacred city?"
Rick bowed his head slightly, trying to balance respect with confidence. "I seek knowledge," he replied. "In a life past, I was one of your kind—a Myrid. I was reborn without the chance to learn the depths of our arts, and that lack weakened me. Now, I wish to correct that mistake and honor the power of the Myrid in full."
Elderly members of the council exchanged glances. It was as if one had silently communicated with the other. The oldest finally spoke to him. "Power is bought, stranger. Here, knowledge must be earned. To unlock Myrid magic, you must be proven worthy. Waters here do not teach unless tested.".
The elders took Rick to an open arena at the edge of the city, where water currents swirled into a natural amphitheater. Myrid warriors gathered, their eyes gleaming with a mixture of curiosity and doubt. Rick would have to face these warriors in a ceremonial combat, a test meant to assess his worthiness to learn the Myrid's sacred techniques.
The first Myrid warrior stepped forward, this lithe figure that moved like liquid, and held up its hands. Water begun to stir around that Myrid, tendrils lashing out like a whirlpool toward Rick.
Rick closed his eyes, calling out on whatever power he had. He thrust his hands forward, evoking the dark tendril force that was born from dark arts he mastered eons ago, Abyssal Grasp. It swam through the water to confront the Myrid's assault, both energies impacting and releasing in a sudden rush of force that sent ripples through the arena.
The crowd gasped as Rick took in the attack from his opponent and retaliated with a pressure wave that sent him back. He moved so precisely, balancing his dark arts with the powers he had mastered from the dragons. He encased himself in Tidal Scales, a protective layer shimmering in the water, looking like dragon scales but liquid. The scales absorbed the force of a second attack, and he could easily retaliate.
He then went through three more Myrid warriors in challenge, each mastering his mastery over water manipulation and sea magic. Rick moved with intent, blending his dark arts, dragon techniques, and a measure of his Myrid affinity, dazzling the crowd with his adaptability. His display was more than enough to gain the respect of the Myrid elders, who watched with silent approval as he passed each trial with skill and strength.
As the elders stepped forward, when the last challenge had been accomplished, they beamed. "You have shown us your dedication to the arts and respect for our traditions. We grant you entry to the Vault of Tides. But remember," the elder warned, "power must be wielded wisely lest it consume even the strongest.".
Rick was allowed only one night within the Vault, a very few hours of learning from the knowledge of the Myrid. He hastened and took his scrolls cautiously, choosing the essence of Myrid magic.
In the scrolls, there were techniques that would provide him with a deep bond to the ocean and the primal forces.
He memorized each technique, absorbing the arts as he had many times before. There was Tidebinding, the art to bind water currents with such precision that he could freeze or divert water at will. There was Depths' Wrath, a defensive technique that absorbed an opponent's force and unleashed it with the power of a tidal wave. Lastly, he specialized in Seafarer's Veil, which is stealth art that covers him in an aura that blends with water. Thus, he becomes completely hidden within any aquatic setup.
Knowledge flooded him, raw power and understanding that left him reeling; these techniques added depth to his abilities, and he'd become a commander over the ancient ocean's magic, not just a master of darkness and fire.
Rick walked out of the Vault of Tides, feeling something strong in himself, yet still knew that something was amiss. The Myrid arts he had learned were incomplete; a veil hovered over what was real. His mind pounded with visions of all that he had mastered in the past, but knew he'd only scratched the surface of what the ancient Myrid arts really contained as a Myrid.
Approaching the Myrid council again, he treated them with respect, hiding nothing in his intentions. "I thank you for what you have shared with me, but I feel there is more—the parts of the Myrid arts that remain not so well known."
The oldest of the council nodded gravely. "Indeed, outsider. You are perceptive. The complete arts of the Myrid lie beyond this realm. What we've given is but a fragment. We, too, seek the full knowledge, but the true arts are lost—whispers say they are kept in a place beyond even the Nexus Realm's reach."
Rick's eyes had an ambition and a calculating gleam. Unlocking the full Myrid arts stirred his curiosity, a hunger for knowledge that no single lifetime's arts could be satisfied by.
"I understand," he said after a moment. "Then let us make an exchange. I am a user of the Dragon Arts; these are things your race lost long ago. I'll teach your best warriors anything about the dragons if you let me have everything you've got on the Myrid arts and all hidden texts and artifacts."
The council members looked at each other in surprise and curiosity. There was something about the ancient Dragon Arts that filled these people with awe, an air of fear and deep respect. To them, it was not merely some knowledge but a gift well beyond their reach for the ages.
And after a moment, the elder's eyes relaxed in response, accepting. "Your offer is. tempting. Very well. We will reveal what we know and share our oldest, most guarded records of the Myrid arts with you. In return, we ask for the knowledge of the Dragon Arts, as you've promised."
---
In a chamber deep within the Vault of Tides, where only the most honored initiates were usually allowed, Rick began his teaching to the Myrid warriors of the Dragon Arts. They had come eagerly yet warily of the power they were about to experience.
Rick taught them how to do the Inferno Breath, gathering energy to shake the waters outside of their own domain with a burst of heat that seemed even through the cool water of their domain. He showed them Scaled Fury, the bodies armored with what could be considered spiritual dragon scales, evoking heightened strength and resiliency. The Myrids watched in wonder, and Rick could see the desire they had to gain these skills-even if Dragon Arts didn't come so easily to their watery realm.
In return, the Myrids gave Rick access to their oldest scrolls, some of which even the elders had forgotten. He uncovered fragments of lost techniques: one called Abyssal Form, in which a Myrid could become one with the ocean itself, and Waveweaver, a mastery over water manipulation that bordered on myth, and altered even the tides simply with a thought. These arts gave him hints of deeper mysteries, enough to show him that the missing pieces lay beyond this realm.
---
As Rick prepared to leave, his System Spirit appeared beside him, her tone warm but cautious. "You realize this exchange has opened doors and set expectations. The Myrids may now have power they didn't before. Are you sure this was wise?"
Rick smiled. "They will need every advantage to make it through what is to come. As for me, I received much more than I gave."
The Myrid elder approached him one last time. "We thank you for what you've given us, outsider. You are a traveler with many faces, and I sense your path leads far beyond here. But know this-when you reach the realm that holds the full Myrid arts, remember us. Remember the knowledge you now carry."
Nodding, Rick turned, his mind set. All of the Myrid arts lay waiting for him, somewhere in the vast expanse of the multiverse, and he would not rest until he claimed them.