Book 2: Chapter 10 — Hellion’s Vessel
Noah opened his status menu, letting the notifications expand in front of him.
Astral Script:
Name: Noah Brown
Race: Human (Modified/Symbiont)
Rank: F
Paths:
Exsanguinator - level 50
Astralwalker - level 50
Void Hunter - level 50
Attributes:
Power: 231
Agility: 200
Constitution: 223
Mystic: 264
Attribute points: 0
Abilities:
Lifeblood level 10 → 14.
Abyssal Symbiote level 18 → 25.
Abyssal Symbiote has reached rank Advanced!
Skill:
Meditation level 12 → 25.
Pain Tolerance level 16 → 29.
Rot Resistance level 10 → 12.
Meditation has reached rank Advanced!
Pain Tolerance has reached rank Advanced!
Sub Attributes:
Power:
Ability Damage: D6 → D7.Ñøv€l--ß1n hosted the premiere release of this chapter.
Special Damage: E3 → E9.
Magical Damage: E6 → D0.
Aura Strength: D7 → D9.
Agility:
Movement Speed: D6 → C0.
Erwest walked through the dark and quiet halls of his church. A summon this late at night was rare unless it was an emergency. And if it was, then the church was far too quiet.
His steps echoed down the hallways of the church, as he made his way to the praying room. An open space, formed in a circular manner to allow all faithful a view of the All-Mother’s statue standing with her sword aimed towards the sky at the centre.
Stepping in, Erwest noticed the high priest standing within the chamber and gave the man a bow. “Your holiness.”
“Erwest,” the high priest replied, using his name. Erwest felt surprised, but did not reply. “The goddess has expressed her desire to speak with you.”
Raising his head with a sharp breath in-take, Erwest looked up at the man with wide eyes. “With me?”
The high priest gave a nod. “I was not told of any further instructions. She wishes to keep her discussion with you private.”
“I... I’m honored, your holiness. But why?” Erwest asked.
“I can’t claim to know her plans. Perhaps she is pleased with you and wishes to give you a reward, or perhaps she has a task that none but you can do. It is not my place to question her will,” the priest replied. “The rest is between you and her now.”
Erwest watched the man walk out of the chamber, before he took in a breath. Looking up at the statue of Hellion, Erwest stepped up towards it. Pressing a palm against the base of the statue, Erwest called upon her name.
A golden light shone from within the statue, burning brilliantly within the halls.
You are in the presence of a Divine Aura.
Hellion’s light fills you with strength.
“My goddess, it is the honor of a lifetime to be in your presence,” Erwest said, going down on his knees.
“Raise your head my child,” Hellion spoke.
Erwest raised his head, looking at the goddess he worshiped standing in front of him, a gentle smile upon her lips. Her brilliance was blinding, yet also gentle at the very same time. The mere sight of her filled him with reverence and strength.
“Erwest, young child, I have been watching you for the past few days. Your service to my name pleases me immensely.”
“Your words are too kind goddess. But I must admit I feel confused. For what purpose have I received this honor from you, goddess?” Erwest.
“Impatient to learn the truth?” Hellion asked, her dark wings spreading behind her back as she stepped down from her pedestal with a slow descent.
“No, my goddess. Forgive my rudeness,” Erwest replied, bowing his head immediately.
“Do not be so afraid, child. You are not being punished here. I merely have a task for you,” Hellion said, putting a hand on Erwest’s shoulder. “Stand up.”
Erwest stood, his body moving on its own as he now stood face to face with his goddess.
For a moment, he felt as if his life had been fulfilled. If he died now, perhaps he would not mind it very much.
“You are a brave warrior, but you let your past scars guide you too much. Our enemy is cunning, and to fight him, we must not be afraid to take what at the time may not seem as the most just or righteous path.”
Erwest looked at the goddess, before nodding. “Yes, my goddess.”
He did not understand why he agreed. He did not believe what she had said, yet somehow, at this moment, his heart was entirely willing to believe whatever Hellion would tell him. If she told him fire rained in winter, he would believe her.
“Good child,” Hellion replied, smiling. “Your parents would be pleased to see how you’ve grown up.”
The words shook Erwest, as he stared at the goddess. “They... are they there? Do they know?” he asked, finding his words trailing.
“They are with me, and happy, but they do not know. I keep the dead separate from the world of the living. That was the pact I made with the god of death. All they know is that you work in my service,” Hellion said.
Erwest clenched his fist, terrible memories he’d long buried in his mind rising once again.
“That anger you feel is strength, but only when it is mastered. Use it for the task, I present you with. You have met with an outerworlder by the name of Noah recently, have you not? I wish for you to stay with him. Travel together, become a companion and earn his trust. Be my eyes and ears and watch him in my stead. See who he is. And if I judge him to be evil, then you shall be the blade I use to slay him.”
Oath of Hellion’s Vessel:
You are the goddess’ eyes, her ears, her mouth, and the blade with which she delivers justice. Your soul will belong to Hellion, for her to use to light the way within this world.
Erwest looked at the words in front of him, before his eyes met Hellion’s. He bowed.
“Your word is my command.”
