Chapter 21: Phantasmal Mask (1/2)

Chapter 21: Phantasn and the white teleporting light enveloped him and everyone else In the next instant, they were transported to the gloorey stone and towering, gothic style pillars

The only thing re of Life which,white alabaster and ht projected fro above

"The Nexus To think I would return here once more with you, my master," said Valera She seemed happy at first, but then she narrowed her eyes "But this place does not seeht"

"What do you mean?" said Aldrich

"The Nexus is a safe space forged by the twin Gods Aht and life, and Sindri, God of flae There is a warmth to the Nexus that is reflected in their powers The wary that is unco now," said Valera "It is as if…as if this place seeot that impression too," said Aldrich "And what I theorize is that this place is not the real, original Nexus It's just a replica There's no true 'life' to it, but it still retains the powers it should have"

"Is that so?" said Valera She darted her cri a threat at anyas you trust this place, I will too"

"So far, it hasn't doneof Life to the Forge where he found the Syste

Valera followed closely behind Aldrich and iure, standing in front of Aldrich to protect him The Syste away, the sound of h the air despite the fact that the System held no hammer in its blocky hand

"There's no point, Valera The Nexus is a no coive me, my master" Valera put down her shi+eld but still eyed the System suspiciously "I was si is"

"Sort of," said Aldrich "From what I can tell, it seems to be a fusion of the Goddess A perfor off about it?"

Valera cocked her head and stared at the Systeood ten seconds Then, she shook her head "I sense no hostility No emotion at all I can perceive that there is divine essence within it, the same kind that built up Amara and Sindri, but…how do I put this…it seems unfinished

Gods are Divinus - raw divine energy - shaped into vessels by belief This thing is pure energy Chaotic and unshaped And yet, still stable enough to maintain the Nexus"

"I see," said Aldrich His theory that this stick figure was an unfinished gaht with Valera's words "In any case, questioning this thing has no purpose Like you said, it's unfinished It only responds to certain key words and requests And as far as I can tell, it's basically just a machine that fulfills the functions of the Gods Until we find more cause to suspect it, we have to rely on it"

"Understood, ement Especially over my hot-blooded impulsiveness"

Aldrich nodded and walked up to the Systein', is it?" said the System "I can do that any ti," said Aldrich The crafting/forging menu opened up in front of Aldrich and he selected the [Soul of Ghost] from his inventory Ghost's soulwhite orb that ever so often flickered transparent

Aldrich tossed the orb to the Systeht the orb and inspected it

"Mighty fine in' in!" said the Syste the satisfaction of crushi+ng Ghost "Now then, I want head gear"

"Gotcha Here's what I can do!"

Aldrich found a list of three options projected in front of him

==

1 Ghostly Helm

Rank: Uncommon +

Type: Head Gear (Heavy)

Stats:

+15 Vitality

+5 Agility

+5 Perception

Effects:

Refraction (Passive) - This iterants the wearer a pere by 10

2 Hood of Melding

Rank: Uncoht)

Stats:

+10 Agility

+10 Magic

+5 Perception

Effects: