52 Bringers Bond (1/2)
Jericho watched as Harr and Lednar passed out two vials of liquids and masks to all the bi-pedal creatures in their group.
They approached Jericho. ”You have been playing non-stop for a while now. These masks and potions will help us continue through the forest and mist for a few hours. Based on where we are at and the pace these satyrs are traveling at, we should reach the edge of the forest in just over an hour. I'm surprised how smoothly everything has gone.” Lednar explained.
Harr smacked the back of Lednar's head. ”You know that that is the tropeiest thing to do in a situation like this. We are almost out of the mist and you commentate how well things are going right before something bad happens.”
Lednar scoffed. ”If something bad is going to happen, it will happen regardless of if I commented about it or not. That is reality.”
Jericho chuckled at the exchange. ”Thank you for the items. I could use a break.” He recalled his instruments and returned to being one person. He donned the mask and drank the liquids as the mist filled the clearing once more. His skills had increased significantly from all the repetitive playing he had done.
”Everyone put on the masks and drink the potions!” Harr called out.
The group traveled slowly onward for about half an hour.
A loud roar interrupted the now silent journey. ”{(Children of the mist hear my command, capture the other Bringer and bring him to me!)}”
A horde of animal cries followed as they rushed the traveling group.
[Emergency Quest: There is a Bringer among you. The powers in the mist wish to claim them. Protect them at all costs. Failure: The mist will evolve into something far scarier.]
Lednar looked over to Jericho. ”Bringer?”
Jericho pulled out his punk jacket and mullet and put them on. He pulled out the bronze statue. He focused on turning into a bass guitar. He split himself into four and pulled out his acoustic guitar, zither, and ceremonial drum. ”Pay attention, while these aren't the most common instruments for what I am going to do, this is one of many styles of rock music.” He said as he placed the instruments in their proper positions so he could play while moving. Using the ceremonial drum to create a basic rhythm, the song played. Two of the four Jerichos started to sing.
[You have learned Inspire Courage 8/10 Adept: Allies who hear this piece will be able to exert more from their stats than normal.]
[You have learned Captivating Song 2/10 Adept: The audience will become focused on the music. This will have varying effects depending on the intent of both the audience member and the player.]
[You have learned Musical Barrier 1/10 Beginner: Hostile attacks towards you and your allies within the sound of your music are weakened. The type of barrier erected is based on the type of music used to create it. Examples: Classical Shield, Metal Bulwark, Electric Fence, Techno-Rampart. (Current application Wall of Rock): Melee physical attacks deal less damage.]
[You currently are under the effects of multiple potions while split. The timer for the potions will wear off 4* faster while you remain split.]
[You have learned Bass Guitar 9/10 Adept.]
The satyrs, Harr, and Lednar started fighting with the beasts as they continued to retreat from the forest.
Harr dexterously wielded his poleax as he slipped around his enemy's attacks. He utilized his body weight and momentum to strike at his opponent's center of balance before landing a fatal blow.
Lednar threw object while chanting to create various effects from explosions to instant ice. Many of the animals slipped and became vulnerable enough for the satyrs to slay.
The beasts were stunned and slowed as they fell captivated by the powerful music. Jericho's allies felt powerful as they fought off the horde of beasts.
Lux emerged from the pet space. (I'll help!) He activated his ugly rat hat and shrunk. Hs skulked around the battle field using Swipe to snag any loose item drops like Ken had taught him. He also used his hat's power on any creature he deemed 'cool' enough to absorb their power. Ken was rubbing off on him.
Minutes went by as they neared the edge of the mist.
[Your potions have worn off. You are being corrupted by the mist. As you are currently split between four weaker forms of yourself you will become corrupted 1% every 15 seconds. If the damage you have taken and the corruption reach a combined total of 100% you will fall to the mist and your comrades' quest will fail.]
Jericho was too focused on playing to notice the notification. The music he was playing progressively got heavier and darker as feelings of revenge, loss, emptiness, and agony filled and penetrated his mind.
Glaw emerged from Jericho. {Hey! Calm down! Those emotions aren't yours! Jericho snap out of it!} He shouted.
As Jericho played the mist turned black. Water droplets appeared and floated around him dangerously. [Elemental Fury has become active]
[Bringer's Bond has been amplified. The other Bringer, you felt a connection to, has died. Their bringer trait has found home in you. You have absorbed their Change Bringer skill line and bringer skills.]
[Due to past actions your Healing skill line has merged with the Death Bringer skill line.]
[Your bringer skill lines have merged into the Advanced Life Transformation Bringer skill line.]
[Advanced Life Transformation Bringer Skill line Tier 3: Some known skills have been influenced by this new Bringer title.]
[The adept bonus for The Serenade for the Soothing of the Soul is now usable.]
[Form-Shift has been influenced by your Bringer Titles. If you obtain valid forms for this ability, you can access 'hybrid' forms. Currently no hybrid forms are available as water elemental and human forms are not compatible for hybridization.]
[You have gained the skill Grudge Mist (Change + Death + Healing) 8/10 Expert: By utilizing your powerful emotions, you can exude a substance to change the existences of those you target with your hostile feelings.
By utilizing your powerful emotions, you can exude a substance to kill the existences of those you target with your hostile feelings.
By utilizing your powerful emotions you can exude a substance to heal your allies who were hurt by those you target with your hostile feelings.
Adept bonus: You can infuse aspects of other your other skills into the Grudge Mist. Expert Bonus: You can focus your grudge mist ability on a single target to heal, kill, or change faster.]
[The mist around you has tapped into the aforementioned skill. The Grudge Mist near you has come under your command]
Glaw froze himself and placed his icy arm onto the back of Jericho's neck.
The bard stopped playing as he was shocked awake by the cold.
[You have been stunned by your companion Glaw. Abilities have deactivated.]
{Are you back yet? Those emotions you were feeling weren't yours. You know you almost…} Glaw hesitated as he remembered the former conversation he had with the bard and wanted to avoid sending him back into a dark place, especially at this critical moment.
Jericho took a deep breath. {Thanks Glaw. I needed that.} He switched instruments and merged back into two of him to slow down the rate of corruption. The Serenade for the Soothing of the Soul echoed in the surroundings once more. The adept bonus that was formerly locked kicked in. [Adept bonus: This piece now has a greater impact on dispelling harmful effects.]
The mist around them cleared more than before and the animals influenced seemed to regain some clarity of thought and ran away.
Everyone felt tired and weary as they pushed through the last stretch of the woods.