Leveling up the World

Chapter 648: Seven Traits

Hey. A faint voice said. Hey!

Dallion tried to stir. His body felt fully numb. Going all-out wasnt the best idea. He attempted to crack his eyes open, but the light was blinding, making him quickly close them again.

Wow, when you make a mess, you really go all out, the voice continued. It was still low, but Dallion could recognize it was female.

Focusing all his strength, Dallion moved his hand in front of his face. It ended up being surprisingly easy. With the light now at more passable levels, he peeked around.

To little surprise, he was on the floor again. The room was very different from where hed been a while back. Gone were the eighties machines and memorabilia. If anything, the place reminded him of the awakening room he had woken up in before entering this world.

As his eyes adjusted, more things came into focus: doors, windows, a giant birdcage made of Moon platinum, and a small butterfly made entirely of light and crystal.

Gleam? Dallion asked. He could recognize the pattern of her light anywhere. I thought you were dead.

Im a guardian. I dont die when an item is destroyed. I just go away for a while.

That made little sense. It wasnt in any of the scrolls Dallion had read.

I dont understand

Its complicated. Dont worry about it.

Slowly, Dallion got back to his feet. There was nothing he could lean on. The walls and the only object he could see were tens of feet away.

How are you here? he asked the shardfly.

You have it the wrong way around. Youre the one who arrived here.

It took Dallion less than a second to understand what she meant. Yet, for some reason, he didnt feel regret or even shock. It was almost as if all his emotions had been removed.

Im dead, right?

Thats not for me to say. Im just here to greet you. Took a lot of convincing, I tell you that.

Convincing... Dallion thought. Im sorry for what happened in the south. I thought youd make it. Even with the rage, guilt, and sadness gone, he still acknowledged the fact that it was all his doing.

You and I both. Its not like I didnt do the same when I was at my peak. Id have thought that hed at least let me fly away after shattering a few wings. I was glad that you made it, though. Would have been stupid if Id gotten destroyed for nothing.

Yeah. It wasnt for nothing.

Dallion tried to split into instances, but his ability didnt trigger. Left with no choice, he looked around the old-fashioned way.

Wheres the Star?

Gone, a new voice said. Dallion briskly turned round to see that Gleam was gone. In her place was a boy in his late teens with long straight hair, dressed in a knee-length tunic. Everything from his clothes to his eyes and hair were purple. The question is what to do with you.

Galatea, Dallion thought. Hed seen the Purple Moon in the aetherbirds memories. Back then he looked different, but Moons tended to change appearance more often than ordinary people changed clothes.

Since Dallion didnt have the magic trait, he hadnt been able to read any specifics about the Moon. All he knew was that the deity was the patron of nymphs and the originator of magic itself. All practical information, especially spells, appeared like blank pieces of paper.

Some were impressed by your actions, the Moon went on. I dont. You could have won the battle ages ago, but you chose not to.

I still killed the Star. One of the positive things about Dallion being in his current state was that he didnt feel any fear, either. Someone that

nobles and armies have failed to achieve. Galatea interrupted. Even you dont believe that.

Hes not dead?

Oh, hes dead. This one.

Theres more than one Star?

Thinking back, Dallion had always wondered why there were different descriptors regarding the Star. Most referred to him as the Crippled Star or just the crippled. However, hed seen creatures created by the Twister Star as well as writing in the buried pyramid out south, referring to him as the Broken Star. That suggested that there were at least three, and yet everyone so far was convinced that there was just one or were they?

Just one at a time. Thats not the important question.

And whats that?

What do you plan on doing?

Dallion thought for a few moments.

Am I dead? he asked.

Yes.

That simplified things somewhat. This way he wouldnt be worried about everything in the world. It was still a pity that he didnt manage to pass the next awakening gate. He was curious what it would be like being a noble. Also, there was Euryale. Despite being deprived of all emotions right now, he still wished he could have spent more time with her, and not just a bit. In the end, he had done the same as her mentor hadabandoned her just after promising he wouldnt.

Youre also alive, the Moon added. Right now, youre like Schrodingers cat, but its no longer a theoretical matter.

Im alive and dead?

And in a small box of magic. At such times, usually a path is chosen for you.

But since Im an otherworlder I get to choose it myself?

No. The Moon shook his head. The coin was tossed, and you lost. Thats why I intervened. Im offering you the choice.

Why?

Magic is the trait of exceptions.

The explanation would have been enough a few weeks ago. Right now, though, Dallion could see there was more to it. The Moons never did anything without a reason. Even if they were selfish, watching others struggle and fight just for their amusement, they werent in the habit of giving people options. If Galatea had the power and will to bring Dallion back to life, he would have just done so.

Why would you want to? Im not your favored.

You have something thats mine.

Dallion felt even more confused.

My familiar, the Purple Moon clarified, eyes half closed. You have him and I want him back.

Aether? Wont he return to you after I die?

Normally, yes. If you kept him as a gem, he would have. But you used a Vermillion ring to put him in your realm. Since youre an otherworlder once youre gone, your realm goes with you and that includes him.

Was that why you wanted me to release you that badly? Dallion asked.

There was no answer. In this room, whatever it was, even Aether didnt have access.

Your first choice is to die. The lack of emotion of Galateas part was made all the more ominous due to his calm angelic appearance. Everything will end, and you and Aether will be lost.

Not a good choice.

Your second choice is to make use of the skill gem hes become. My familiar will be released. Youll survive, and in the process gain my traits and the spellcraft skills.

Death or a skill. Looking at it like that, there didnt seem to be a downside. That was precisely why Dallion wasnt comfortable with it. When things were too good, they usually werent. If Aether was mad at the world before, after his brief imprisonment, he was probably seething with rage. Releasing him might well mean the end of another era. Dallion would probably be fine, possibly all those close to him as well, but what about everyone else?

Is this an awakening trial? he asked. The choice felt too much like one. Two options: be happy or have everyone else in the world be happy, just not both.

Its a simple question. The Moon frowned.

Aether told me what hed do if released. You said that even if this Star is dead, another will appear.

It takes time for Stars to emerge. It took decades for the Twisted Star to emerge.

So, the world will be destroyed after decades?

Its just a choice, the Moon said again, his tone slightly annoyed. Those are your two options. Choose one or dont. If you prefer staying here, deciding for eternity, I guess thats a third possibility. I told you which I prefer. Thats it.

Galatea was very different from the Green Moon. Given that he was linked to magic, Dallion had always imagined him more whimsical and goody. Instead, he was cold, arrogant, and unwilling to make any compromises. Even when he cared, he didnt seem to.

Can I talk to Aether before I decide?

No. You spoke to one familiar, thats enough.

Why am I hesitating? Dallion asked himself. The proper choice was to refuse. If he wanted the skill, he could have used the skill gem at any point after capturing the aetherbird. Being in this room made things less clear cut. It was good that the Moons had blocked all his emotions, or he would have chosen out of fear.

Dallion thought back as long as he could remember. Thanks to the value of his mind trait, he could recall everything from the day he came here with perfect clarity, even further back going to his early childhoodboth here and that on Earth. Everything considered, hed done more than one could hope for, more than they could even imagine. In true time, hed lived over a millennium. People would be fortunate to last a tenth of that. At the same time, there was so much more that awaited him. He could leave the province, leave the empire even, and spend the rest of his life hunting beasts in the wilderness along with Eury.

Can I make a request? Dallion took a step forward. If I choose to live, will you look after the world?

Were always looking after the world. For the first time, a fraction of the Moons mouth curved in a smile. Thats what the rules are for. Even the exceptions follow those.

So, you wont let Aether destroy the world?

Only if it doesnt need destroying. Thereve been few constants since the start of creation. As long as theres a Star, the era will end in war and chaos. Also, as long as there are otherworlders from Earth, there will always be a Star. If the only way to contain chaos is to start a new era, thats what well do.

You think Ill become the next Star?

Possible, but I hope not. Youre more interesting than you are. So whats your decision?

Dallions lips moved, voicing the answer. As he did, the sensation of pain shot through him, causing him to drop to the ground. All the sensations and emotions gone till moments ago suddenly returned, taking him back in the Stars temple. Arthurows body was there, smiling lifelessly a foot away. Melting void matter was everywhere, transforming all copied objects into tar.

Clutching his chest, Dallion felt the spike still there.

Great, he thought. Even after I made my choice, this is what I get?

You dont have a choice in this one, Nil said in a panicked voice. If you dont use the gem, you wont make it.

The Vermillion ring pulled away, only constructed by the chain round Dallions neck.

Use it! Nil shouted.

Ignoring the pain, Dallion grabbed the ring.

Vermillion! he ordered, gripping it.

The skill gem within his realm emerged, filling his hand. Only one thing was left now.

Sorry Eury, Dallion thought. Im not that strong, after all.

MAGIC TRAIT GAINED

The power of the PURPLE MOON now flows through you, allowing you to see and use magic at will.

SPELLCRAFT skills obtained

You now have the ability to craft spells.

SEVEN TRAITS

(+ Awakening, +1 Body, +1 Mind, +1 Reaction, +1 Perception, +1 Empathy, +1 Magic)

Youve obtained all seven traits. Fancy that. You better not be greedy and obtain an eighth. Things wont go well if you do.

Purple light streaked out between Dallions fingers. Within moments, it grew into a flame surrounding his hand. Purple wings sprouted, followed by a head and the elongated body of the aetherbird.

Without a sound, the creature flapped its wings, heading straight for the nearest wall, then passed through it. When Dallion opened the palm of his hand, only the ring remained.

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