In the depths of the void-touched dimension, the Four Ascended gazed upon the towering figure of Varathiel, the fallen Archmage of Marveil. Their shrouded forms exuded an aura of overwhelming dread as one of them leaned forward, its voice cold and mechanical.
"You are the next Ascended," it declared, its words reverberating with an unearthly finality.
Varathiel stepped forward, his expression resolute, and approached an eerie, shimmering black pond nestled at the center of the chamber. Its surface glimmered with faint violet thorns that emanated malice. Without hesitation, he dipped himself into the abyss, submerging completely.
For a moment, there was silence. Then, Varathiel found himself suspended in an infinite void. The stars above and below stretched endlessly, but at the center of it all was a massive black orb, pulsating with tendrils of violet energy. The thorns coiled and shifted menacingly, and the orb began to speak.
"You hold a rune," it hissed, its voice a blend of whispers and screams.
Varathiel opened his mouth to respond, but before he could utter a word, the orb's tendrils lashed out, striking him in the head with terrifying speed. His body convulsed, his mind and spirit bound by the violet energy. A wave of raw, searing power coursed through him as his form began to change, his mortal frame shattering and reforming into a new, monstrous body forged of void-touched strength.
When the transformation was complete, Varathiel knelt before the orb. His glowing violet eyes radiated obedience and newfound purpose. Bowing low, he swore allegiance, his voice reverberating with the combined strength of his old self and his ascended form.
---
Meanwhile, Ezra and Liora, blissfully unaware of the unfolding calamity, continued their journey towards Valsenna. Their progress was marked by relentless battles with roaming monsters, though none showed any trace of void corruption.
As night fell, the two travelers reached a small, solitary tavern known as The Lonesome Tavern. Its weathered exterior and dimly lit interior gave it an eerie charm. Stepping inside, they found the place seemingly deserted, save for a grizzled barkeep polishing glasses behind the counter.
"No one else here?" Liora murmured, her voice tinged with uncertainty. "It's strange for a place like this."
"Maybe he's also the innkeeper," Ezra suggested.
Settling down at a table, Ezra leaned forward, looking at Liora with interest. "Liora, you've got to teach me more about alchemy. It might save us down the road."
Despite her usual shyness, Liora nodded, pulling out their collected loot from their skirmishes. Together, they worked late into the night, crafting various concoctions and experimenting with the materials.
Eventually, after several failed attempts, they succeeded in creating a Potion of Invulnerability, which granted one second of invulnerability upon consumption a priceless tool in critical moments.
As they held the shimmering potion in triumph, a sudden notification filled their vision:
Achievement Unlocked: The Paradox of Alchemy
Liora's passive alchemy skills have merged into a single ability: Alchemic Paradox, unlocking room for more active skills.
Ezra gains two new alchemy-related skills, filling his skill slots to the maximum.
---
Realizing the potential of skill merging, Ezra focused and combined his four alchemy passives into a single enhanced passive skill: Arcane Alchemical Mastery.
Ezra's Skill List (9/12 slots used):
1. Voidbreaker Slash [Changeable Affinity]
2. Sanctum Aegis [Changeable Affinity]
3. Celestial Leap (Light-based) [Unchangeable Affinity]
4. Ethereal Bind (Darkness-based) [Unchangeable Affinity]
5. Radiant Pulse (Light-based) [Unchangeable Affinity]
6. Identify
7. Arcane Affinity
8. Teleportation
9. Arcane Alchemical Mastery
Ezra leaned back, feeling a renewed sense of purpose. "Liora, we're getting stronger. Slowly but surely, we're readying ourselves for what's ahead."
Liora smiled shyly. "You're the one pushing forward. I'm just trying to keep up."
"Then let's make this work," Ezra said firmly. "Together."
Outside, the night deepened, and in the shadows, unseen eyes continued to watch.