And together, they set off on their journey. They were to continue across the black Stygian deserts, all the way to the capital of Noctira, the heart of the Noctiran Isles.
But something hadn't been right since he came to. Thea hadn't said a word at all. Max was beginning to wonder if everything was alright.
Then he heard it.
DING!
But not just one. Two metallic whirrs seemed to stir within him. Max could tell the presence of Thea, and something else.
[System Initiating…]
[Binding with Host…]
[Host has now become the Beacon of Shadow.]
Max stared at the new words that ran across his vision like a screen. The golden hue of his light system was replaced by words cloaked in a shadowy essence.
"Hello, Max."
Instead of the female voice he had come to know, Max heard the deep chronic bass of a man, still harbouring that animated touch.
"Nice move back there, stealing me from the master deity himself. He's gonna come for you, and I assure you child, that it won't be pretty."
"Who are you?"
"Well, I'm Aegis young master, and you may not have played a fair game back there, but the rules are simple. Now, I am yours to command. I hope you're more fun than Velda though. All he did was trap me in some rock and mount me on a sceptre like a trophy on display."
Max had finally pieced it in his head, that apparently, there was another system, one that just like Thea, had the power and magic of the world it was contained within. With Thea it was light, and with Aegis it was shadow.
"The element of shadow is now yours to explore. Really looking forward to finally having fun. It's been millennia."
"Wait, where's Thea?"
"Who?"
"Thea, my light system."
"I'm still here, Max. You need to get this corruption out of you as soon as possible."
It was Thea speaking now, and she didn't sound too happy.
"Excuse me?", Aegis cut in.
"The only corruption I see around here is you, night-light. Far way from home aren't you?"
"How dare you alienate me from my host? Max is a beacon of power and holiness. He doesn't need to be tainted by your stench."
"Your host? Well he's mine now, and are you calling me stench? You couldn't even save your realm. But here you are in my world telling me what to do. What a cosmic failure."
"I'll show you who's the failure you son of a—"
Max had a splitting headache.
Not the normal kind, but the kind that made you feel as if your head was being hammered by an invisible mallet.
"Stop, both of you!"
Max had said it out loud, much to the confusion of Dimitria and Slavia, who turned their heads in shock.
Max's cheeks flushed red in mock embarrassment. He must've looked like a mad man. At least the voices in his head had completely stopped.
"Who are you talking to?"
Dimitria was the first to break the silence, her eyebrows raised in curiosity.
Max frantically looked around. It turned out that they thought that he was referring to the two of them. He saw the ashen remains of the Dreadweaver, the dark essence giving way to specks of light, and instantly remembered that he had some rewards to claim.
Max gestured in the direction of their fallen foe.
"Spoils of war?"
Slavia's eyes lit up, while Dimitria didn't look too convinced.
"I don't think we should be wasting much time. Staying out here is dangerous."
"But this is his first kill.", Slavia cut in. "Let him have his moment, Dimitria."
"Yeah you're right. But I don't see much over there. Max, you can go have a look, but don't be too long. And bring back the good stuff if you find any."
"Will do." Max scurried off to the Dreadweaver's grave. This particular spot somehow managed to be darker than the alread black sand, with shards of superheated glass littering everywhere.
Max felt himself grow stronger as Thea absorbed the shadowy essence all around.
[Dark energy has been successfully converted to Light essence]
[Host has been granted +500 Magic Reserve points.]
[XP has been significantly boosted by 2500 points. Host is now at Lvl 10]
[These are Host's stats]
[Status: Third-Tier Beacon]
[Strength: 1500/10000]
[Willpower: 2500/10000]
[Magic Reserve: 500]
[Weapons: None]
[Physique: 2000/10000]
[Ability Potency: 450/10000]
[Stamina: 1500/10000]
[Equipped Rewards:
[Overcharged Solar Flare (Devastation Ability) - A Rank
Description: Drain significant amount of stamina to exponentially double or triple the damage and range of Solar Flare, granting enough power to wipe out everything within a mile. Can only be used once and would require to recharge for a week before next use.
Damage limit: 10000
Magic Drain: 450]
Apparently, Max's ingenuity had gotten him a superior version of Solar Flare. He only cringed at the recharge rate.
He ultimately knew he wouldn't be using it in a long time. Of course, it had nothing to do with the recharge and everything to do with the Magic Deain. 450 MP was wild.
[Lucid Gaze (Tier 2), (Passive Ability) - B Rank: Host can now use Lucid Gaze to look beyond obstacles and objects, highlighting people that may have an ill wish towards the safety of host.
Damage: None
Magic Drain: 50
Duration: 5 minutes
Range: 50 metres around Host]
Basically, Max would be able to see around him for quite a distance. This would, of course, be useful when he reached the city, not in the middle of nowhere. The fact that it highlighted enemies would also be insanely useful for him.
[Mirage (Support Ability) - C Rank
Description: Weave illusions into being with the skilful manoeuvring of Light. Duration of illusion depends on Host's Magic Potency.
Damage: None
Magic Drain: 150]
[Basic attack spellcasting has been equipped with level up: Light blast]
Max could finally feel some progress with Thea.
He had been feeling heavily underequipped from the time he set foot on Nitmera. At least now he had some options.
"Do you seriously have to convert shadow energy to light essence before your host can use it Thea?"
Max had almost forgotten about Aegis.
"And you say I'm the one who's corrupting things. Plus, it seems like Max just finally got something useful out of you."
"What are you on about, Aegis?" Max asked, curious as to where this was going.
"There's some shadow energy left. I can absorb it in its raw and powerful form and grant you XP in my track. And you see that rock over there, that's the Dreadweaver's heart. It would grant you the power of invisibility."
"Or…", Thea cut in.
"You could take that rock to a night forge, and with a bit of light magic, a smith can craft a legendary weapon for you that commands light itself."
Max thought intently. A shadow ability would be a nice first step to his journey with Aegis, but a legendary weapon was almost too good to pass up.
"Can I have both?"
"No!"
The two systems chanted in unison.