Rise of the Devourer

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.

Special Damage: E3 → E9.

Magical Damage: E6 → D0.

Aura Strength: D7 → D9.

Agility:

Movement Speed: D6 → C0.

Casting Speed: D2 → D8.

Cognitive Speed: F5 → E4.

Reflex: A1 → A3.

Constitution:

Vitality: B4 → B7.

Endurance: D2 → C0.

Strength: D6 → C4.

Physical Resistance: C1 → B0.

Mystic:

Mana Capacity: D0 → D4.

Mana Regen: D2 → D6.

Willpower: D0 → D9.

Magic Resistance: D3 → D6.

Noah stared at the changes in his sub-attributes. This was the single largest jump he had seen so far, with everything receiving a significant boost in power. His Agility and Constitution had increased by extreme amounts especially.

Reflex had increased two ranks, while Vitality, Strength and Endurance had increased by nearly 10 ranks in a single go. And if he understood how his body functioned correctly, the changes here will only keep on happening as he trained further. Curious to take a full look, Noah opened his sub attributes menu.

Power: D3

Agility: C1

Constitution: C7

Mystic: D6

Noah looked at the ranks in confusion before realizing the change was likely from his new tier of soul modification, and an average of each sub-attribute. Reaching out to his Astral script, he tried to bring the increase for each sub-attribute group directly.

Power: D0 → D3.

Agility: D6 → C1.

Constitution: C0 → C7.

Mystic: D1 → D6.

Taking a moment to recover, Noah looked around the sparring area. If not for his trick, he would’ve lost, and this was with Raesar using a single ability once, while Noah had been giving it his all. Perhaps it would go differently if he had Metamorphosis, but he could not rely on Tony to be available all the time. The ability took a toll on the symbiote, and he needed to be capable enough to survive encounters even without it.

Glancing at his shackles, Noah used his keys on them before accessing their interface.

Suppression Shackles

Current suppression: 25%

Rank limit: C

Looking at the menu, Noah began increasing the suppression before stopping it at 75%. With a quiet grimace he put them back on, as they drained his mana rapidly.

“That is disgusting,” Noah said, his body feeling like it was made of lead. He knew the sensation was not real, yet the sensation of weight still bothered him.

Standing up with a grunt, Noah began to use his mana. The act felt like he was pushing a boulder uphill, and merely summoning his spear from his storage had him nearly panting. Tightening his grip, Noah pushed on, letting Obliterate and Bleed cover his blade. Reducing the suppression down to 60% to adjust, Noah summoned Starforged Arms, then made a single sword and a shield appear in each one. The second time felt easier, his spirit slowly getting used to the heavy weight of the shackles put upon it.

With a thought, he had the arms attack him, as he began to spar.

***

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.”

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