“How may I help you, dwarf? Here for a signature?”
“Ha! As if you know how to hold a pen.” The armorer walked up to me. “No, I’m here to say well done today. Also, I have a couple more surprises for you in the shop. Stop by when you manage to wake up.”
We shook hands, and then the dwarf let me stagger away to my room. It wasn’t particularly late, but the rollercoaster of adrenaline had left me exhausted.
After forming a stinking pile of my armor and gear for whatever poor maid had to clean it, I soaked in the brass tub again, which I had asked Rodrick to fill. The water was still hot enough to make me gasp as I slid in, and I couldn’t have been happier.
Tejón started speaking to me as I entered my room, his feast finally at an end. Done making noise with your friends?
Making noise? What is that all about? We were just having some fun.
The bear’s gut roiled in a fit of digestion, and he responded sluggishly, You all sound like a flock of birds. Anyway, I gained a level with my affinity again, and can choose another skill.
I propped myself up in the bath and peered over the edge at him, ignoring the maid that scurried away with my armor. Really? That’s great news!
When I focused on my notifications, before I even had a chance to look at Tejón’s upgrade possibilities, I saw that I had one of my own.
Affinity Skill unlocked: Because your companion pet has achieved Level 2 in their chosen Affinity, you can now choose a skill that aligns with the corresponding element. Earth: Choose one of the following Active skills: Quake Stomp, Granite Wall, Stone Fist.
Quake Stomp: Combine your rage with the tectonic forces of the earth. Attack occurs instantly and causes 10% base attack damage to everyone in the affected area. 50% chance to knock down targets. 25% chance to cause Daze. Area of Effect is two yards wide and six yards long in the direction you are facing. Effect ignores allies. Cooldown: 2 minutes.
Granite Wall: Wrap your body in a thin but durable layer of stone to reduce incoming damage. All incoming damage reduced by 25%. All elemental attacks besides water reduced by 25%. Slows all movement by 5%. Duration: 5 minutes. Cooldown: 30 minutes.
Stone Fist: Envelop your fists with hard rock, making your hands into deadly weapons. Unarmed combat becomes equal to highest weapon damage. Also, no damage can be inflicted on your hands or arms while active. Duration: 2 minutes or until you recover your weapon. Cooldown: 10 minutes.
So cool. I could easily envision my arms swathed in stone and bashing some monster’s face in. What else could a berserker chica need in this world?
I told Tejón and followed up with the details of each skill.
The bear thought for a while, then answered, You have rarely been without your weapons, so that does not seem like a good choice. And protection is good, but you have me and that shiny red armor the small man gave you. It gives you enough protection, I think. Go with the one that will knock down enemies. Then we can kill them quicker.
I made the selection then. Quake Stomp would be a fun skill to try out, and the arena battles in the morning would be the perfect time to do so.
Now what about you, buddy? I asked. What are your next choices? I gave a mental command to access the bear’s information.
Path of Stone Skill Tree Options:
Mountain Clad (Active): The stone bear’s body becomes hardened with stone. Grants a 10% reduction in damage from all physical attacks. Also grants an additional 25% reduction in Piercing and Slashing Damage. Movement speed reducted by 5% while active. Stamina consumption of all attacks and skills increased by 5%. Duration: until deactivated.
Gravel Storm (Active): Unleash the endless rage of Volen and assault your enemies with a cloud of rock fragments. Damages enemies caught in the Area of Effect by 10 HP per second. The skill creates a sphere of influence around the companion’s position with a radius of fifteen feet in all directions. Duration: 20 seconds. Cooldown: 30 minutes.
I pondered the skills, then asked Tejón, What do you think, bro?
I would choose to sharpen my claw before thickening my hide. I want Gravel Storm.
I nodded, slipping down into the tub again, leaving only my ears and face above the water. Sounds good. Those suckers at the arena tomorrow have no idea what they are getting into.
The next morning, we rose early and went to see Wardahl. The arena fights began earlier than they had the day before as there were a lot of competitions to get through. On the way, I dropped in to see the woman from the trinket shop.
Already poised to fleece me, the merchant crooned, “Back again? I hear you have had some success in the arena.”
I nodded and gestured to Tejón’s bulky form sitting out in the street. “Yes, and my friend here is excited to win the Companion’s Cup with me today. I’m confident we’ll win.”
For once, the woman’s eyes showed genuine surprise. “Is it… is that a stone bear?” she whispered before her gaze darted back to me.
I nodded, satisfied that she thought Tejón as impressive as I did.
She drew herself up tall and cleared her throat. “I have a fondness for bears, and I would be remiss if I were to say that I wouldn’t enjoy the occasion to meet him.”
I blinked. “Is that your way of asking if you can come pet him?”
“Pet? Well, if it does not mind my company, yes.”
I led her out of the shop and introduced her. “Him. His name is Tejón and he loves attention. Come
