Leveling up the World

Chapter 348: A Victory of Screams

Two armadil shields were summoned in perfect unison, each appearing on the left arm of a Dallion. Moments later, each of the two opponents went into an identical stance. The crowd erupted in cheers once more, it being impossible to determine who exactly they were rooting for. If Nil were here, hed probably say something obvious, such as theyre cheering for the winner, and from a certain point of view he would be right. The trick was for Dallion to make sure that he was the winner and not his echo.

Red and green markers filled the arena, forming a cats cradle of potential attacks and defenses. In many aspects, it was as if Dallion was looking in a mirror. I keep facing you again and again, Dallion said. Is it the same you, or another echo?

Why cant I be one and the same? Red lines emerged from the echos sword, indicating the attack it planned to make.

Seeing the markers made Dallion feel a bit nostalgic. There was a time when his entire strategy was based purely on them. Now, he had progressed so much that he could perform his actions way before they appeared.

I guess Ill have to defeat you to find out, Dallion said, filling his words with fatigue and slowness.

If you defeat me, Ill promise to explain it to you, the echo replied, countering the effects with just as much music skill. At this point, it was clear that it wasnt going to be an easy fight.

In theory, all Dallion needed was one good hit to be victorious. However, that task was made more difficult by the armor that covered every inch of his opponent. Only the head remained unprotected.

Aim for the head, Dallion told himself as he charged forward. The echo did the same.

Two sets of instances appeared, each countering the other in a complicated game of chess. Dallion had the clear advantage, being able to split slightly faster, but no matter what he attempted, the echo always managed to stop the attack in the nick of time. Twice Dallion increased the number of instances, going beyond his limits, and each time the echo did the same. For all intents and purposes, this was looking like a long mirror match.

Just give up, the echos breastplate said. Youll never win with those skills.

Yeah, save yourself the humiliation. A metal boot added. Youre already having a hard time, and Cassie hasnt even started dancing yet.

Cassie? Dallion asked out of habit. Like most people, he had a tendency of asking for clarifications upon hearing a proper name.

The echo spun back with a backflip. Using one of his instances, Dallion followed, though not for long. Before he could attempt an attack, the echos whip blade extended, slashing through Dallions instance like a piece of paper.

Dallion froze. The tide had turned. From here on Dallion would have to spend more effort defending himself than the echo, leading to a long fight in which he was on the losing side. Just as nearly all the times before, if it came to a battle of attrition, Dallion was going to end up losing.

Without hesitation, Dallion unsummoned his harpsisword, replacing it with a whip blade of his own. He was a fraction of a second too late.

MEDIUM WOUND!

Your health has been decreased by 10%

In that fraction of a second, the enemy blade had gone through his defenses, slicing his shirt and left shoulder. Immediately Dallion attempted to strike back, but his attack was easily deflected using the echos armadil shield.

Told you, a piece of gear laughed. Better give up before Cassie makes you.

The whip blade is Cassie? Dallion asked.

Surprised? The echo smiled.

The blade has no guardian.

Your blade doesnt. My gear is different. The blade, the armor, even the dartbow bolts have guardians.

Gritting his teeth, Dallion recited the names of the seven Moons. He needed to be calm to win this, calm and focused. Using everything he knew, Dallion tried to come up with a plan. How to fight an enemy that mimicked all of his actions? This wasnt the first time he had faced such a challenge. Back in the awakening temple near Dherma, the echo had confused him into thinking that he might not be real. Dallion had resolved this by shooting himself in the leg, thus proving he wasnt an echo. The present circumstances were slightly different, but the riddle was the same; that meant the solution would have to be the same as well.

Twirling his whip blade around him, Dallion then let it fly at the echo, while also summoning his harpsisword once more. Then, as the echo deflected the attack, Dallion played a chord. He knew that targeting his opponent directly would be of no use, so he focused on the armor he was wearing, adding scorching heat to every note.

Lets see you handle this, Dallion thought.

The echos first reaction was to attack so as to break Dallions concentration. That didnt work. Focusing exclusively on defense, Dallion easily evaded all the attacks while still playing his harpsisword. As a result, the echos armor became hotter and hotter.

Didnt think that would work on you, Dallion said with a smirk. All this time and you still fell for the same trick?

Suddenly, a chorus of screams and wails filled the air. Every piece of armor the echo was wearing shouted in pain and agony.

Stop! Youll melt us!

Surprise turned to fear, then to regret. Dallion quickly ended his melody, in order to stop the guardians screams.

Well done, the echo said calmly. Nice try, but that isnt the way to pass the trial. Well, I suppose it technically could be, but youll still have to kill a guardian or two.

Dallion frowned. He had already realized what the real question was. On the surface, it was quite simple and indeed linked to his empathy ability. However, just because it was simple to understand didnt make it any easierthe only way for Dallion to win this battle was to kill several guardians in the process. A week ago, he wouldnt have given the matter any thought. However, back then, he wasnt able to hear items scream.

It isnt easy, is it? the echo asked. Empathy provides a lot of advantages, more than a person should have, according to some. However, it also comes with its price. You were inclined towards empathy from the start. Thats what made you able to receive boons and understand guardians; thats what helps you catch the attention of a Moon. However

However, its also the hurdle I need to pass, Dallion finished the sentence.

Yes. The echo withdrew his whip blade, snapping the fragments together again. You saw that during your last fight. The right thing to do was cut up the chains, but you couldnt do that.

I did.

You never broke a link. You just damaged them for a while. That wont always be the case. Moving on, you wont be able to save every item. Sometimes youll need to destroy them in order to achieve your goals.

Despite the obvious logic, the words sounded repulsive. It was pretty much the same as telling someone they had to sacrifice people to get what they want. As things stood, Dallion wasnt prepared to do either.

Youve no idea what the world really is, the echo said. Youve only seen the calm of the cities, whether people are guaranteed a safe existence under the protection of the domain guardians. If you want to survive beyond that youll be forced to make such choices.

The echo unsummoned his weapon. In its place a full helmet appeared. The echo put it on, then approached Dallion, stopping a few feet away.

Its not a matter of skill, the echo went on. Its all about your will. In time, you might become strong enough to reach your goals without destroying items. Or maybe you never will. Unless youre willing to accept it, though, youll remain at your present level. One hit. Thats all it takes to defeat me. However, by doing that, youre guaranteed to destroy at least one guardian. What will you do?

That was why Dallions familiars werent allowed to take part in the trial. It was Dallion who had to make the choice, not them. Neither of the three would have any issue doing so: Nox was a crackling, Gleam was a creature from the wilderness, and Lux well, Lux, was a special case, but even he didnt have any qualms on the matter.

So, this is it? Dallion asked. Kill or fail?

Theyre still items. Do you feel bad about killing echoes?

The truth was that Dallion felt very much uncomfortable. That was one of the reasons he preferred to use instances rather than echoes in combat, even now.

Also, you didnt seem to have issues breaking items in the past. You didnt like it, you didnt do it for fun, but you still did it. Why should it be different now?

Because I know that destroying the item destroys the guardian. Real destruction, not just banishing them after a level up.

Thats not it.

Damn you!

As much as Dallion hated admitting it, the echo was right. The main reason Dallion felt troubled was because he could hear them, and if he could hear, was felt obliged to empathize. Even before he knew that guardians died when an item was broken. He had seen that frequently happen when he worked at Hannahs in. Still, it hadnt caused him any pain back then. If he were honest, it probably wouldnt cause him too much pain even now as long as he didnt hear the screams.

Could this be the real reason that the Green Moon had stopped granting its powers to people? Not to punish them, but rather to prevent them from going through this. Empathy didnt just grant something new, it changed every aspect of life. It was the same as awakening, but on a whole new level.

You know how this works, the echo said. Make the choice or leave it for later.

Just like that?

Just like that. It has to be your decision. Everything else is immaterial.

No.

Dallion split into seven instances. Each instance, however, did exactly the sameleap at the echo and strike at the echos neck. While doing the strike, though, each instance played a different chord. In all cases, the chords were linked to the echos helmet, sending different emotions.

Just move up slightly, Dallion said. I wont harm you.

In five of the seven instances, the helmet budged, and things didnt stop there. The shoulder guard and other armor segments shifted around a bit, allowing the harpsisword blade to slide along the echos shoulder, continuing into the neck.

There was a loud poof followed by a series of clanks as the suit of armor fell to the ground. Total silence filled the arena. No one in the crowd said a word. Pausing for a moment, Dallion looked around. When he did, he saw that the people were gone as wellall the stands were empty.

Interesting choice, the echo-Dallion said, walking past him. You convinced them to help you out. Well played. However, you wont be able to pull it off each time.

Probably, but that wont stop me trying.

Youve chosen a difficult path. You wont become a hunter that way.

Its my choice. I know the cost, I know the consequences, and Im willing to do all I can to kill as few as possible. Guardians included.

Im not my grandfather, Dallion thought. This was the one massive divergence proving it. Without a doubt, it would take him a while to get used to this new way of life, but he was going to do his best.

As you wish. Its an unexpected choice, but it is a choice thats good enough.

You have broken through your barrier

Your level has increased to 24

Choose the focus that will serve you best

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