The instructions were vague, but obviously sufficient to activate the device, for as soon as the queen had finished talking, the diamond blared a penetrating white. Five foot-long talons of light extended from Pachi’s paw. They were bright to look upon, but when my eyes began to adjust, I could see that they almost looked solid in form.
Pachi practically shouted in my head, I have become more powerful, Hana! Our enemies will fear me greatly. Not even the den mother has claws this long!
“Your enemies already fear you, brave warrior,” The queen said to Pachi, making her chest expand. “Now they won’t even be able to flee your wrath.”
Seeing I was expected to try on my own amulet, I placed it over my head. Again, when the clasp connected the two sides of the necklace, the ruby flared red, and the gems in the bow lit up in three different colors: one red, one white, and one green.
I inspected the amulet, too curious to wait.
Amulet of Souls
Quality: Legendary
Durability N/A
Increases all elemental damage by 10% and damage of chosen elemental affinity by 15%
Powers companion weapon. Absorbs the souls of your fallen enemies, increasing the items power to match level progression.
Soulbound: Item cannot be lost or taken from wearer unless by the hand of a divinity.
In gamer terms, the item leveled up with me! I wouldn’t be finding a necklace this powerful again.
Then I did the only thing I could at that point: I picked up the bow. A tingle of power seeped into my hand as I did so.
The queen barked an order: “Harnoth, clear a path.” I shook my head, feeling odd for even considering firing an arrow in the throne room, but the queen insisted. “We trust your aim, young ranger.”
As I drew back the arrow, I pictured the clear white that issued from my blade or bow when I used Lunar Flare. A similar white glow surrounded the tip of my arrow, but not quite as intense. I released the shot and the projectile zipped across the chamber, cracking into the stone wall.
“Another!” the queen commanded me. I drew back another arrow as she explained, “This time, feel the heat of flame.”
After a moment of concentration, the arrowhead flickered with red power. I released this one, and a burst of spark and fire spread across the wall.
I drew the last arrow, knowing the queen wanted me to try all three elements. “Feel the strength and weight of the stone beneath your feet, young one.”
This time, the light that lit the arrow’s tip was green, and the arrow seemed to sag, as if it had gained mass. I released the arrow and it cracked into the wall, shards of stone skittering away.
I thanked the wyvern queen at great length, and Harnoth as well, who had watched the demonstration with pride.
The queen fell into another speech, this one about prowess in battle and the need to trust allies. I listened but couldn’t help but hold up the bow and admire its perfection.
The Lost Bow
Quality: Legendary
Durability 1000/1000
120-600 damage
+10 Dexterity, +10 Stamina
Special Ability: Elemental Alignment
Elemental Alignment (Active): With the aid of a focus crystal and the three affinity stones within this legendary bow, you are able to channel the elemental forces of Light, Fire, and Earth.
Light Elemental Alignment: Adds 20% extra damage in the form of Light Damage. May dispel darkness or fear. Costs 1% of total Stamina per use.
Fire Elemental Alignment: Adds 20% extra damage in the form of Fire Damage. May ignite targets. Costs 2% of total Stamina per use.
Earth Elemental Alignment: Adds 20% extra damage in the form of Earth Damage. May cause extra Explosive Damage. Costs 2% of total Stamina per use.
My eyes nearly popped in their sockets. The damage my bow would deliver, even if I didn’t activate any elemental bonuses, was exponentially higher than my previous weapon. I’d need to do some more advanced archery training to up my game.
I told Pachi the details of my weapon and she told me hers. The bangles increased the range of her claws and added one hundred percent extra Light Damage to every attack. The only cost was that the claws sapped Stamina as long as they were in use.
Despite the cost to Stamina, I knew the weapons would be a great help. Not only were they powerful, but they weren’t too bad to look at, either. I even caught Pachi lifting a paw and twisting it subtly, letting the light shimmer across its surface.
Then food and entertainment swept the focus away from Pachi and I and, like all parties, things moved on. We ate our fill, and then ate some more, content that our deeds had been successful. Knowing that the wyverns now had the power to repopulate their tribe made me feel immensely satisfied. As frightening as they could be, it was plain to see that the Sirrushi wyverns were a noble folk.
I was leaning against Pachi, fighting the urge to pass out like the warrior chick I was, when a searing heat made me jump up from my seat.
My sudden movement made a few heads turn my way, including several of the guards and the always vigilant queen. I reached in my pocket and drew out a glowing stone. It was Judas again, with something urgent enough to expend the power of the stone.
Part IV
What is Yours
Relevant Progress of Hana Kotoba
Status: Giving you everything she’s got for a little peace of mind.
Class: Pathfinder, Elemental Arrow Slinger, Vardeen Skyrider.
Items: Seriously, you check out that bow?
To Do: Bolster a sandcastle to weather the wave.
1: “Nothing like the dire peals of a battle horn to stir the blood to action.”
— Harnoth Stonescale
HANA
Judas’ message was simple and short: Troops reported advancing from multiple positions, all heading to Taelman’s Pond.
The rangers all felt that Quinn was their
