50 Arcane Invigoration (2/2)

”She's back at her palace already….” The female Fae said in anger.

”Call them back and double the guard around the palace. To think we allowed our singular chance to escape us in such a manner. How did she kill them?” A regally dressed male Fae asked. A small twisted silver crown sat on his glowing white-haired head marking him a Prince of Fae.

”The World Tree…it aided…” Another Fae in the room said darkly and in part with confusion.

They all remained in silence. The white-haired Prince rescinded his original plans of joining the guard himself. Even if such an ability was limited, to use the power of the tree outside of the Palace meant no one was safe from her.

”Question all servants who leave the Palace. Traditions be damned. She has already made a mockery of our traditions by somehow using the protection of the World Tree outside of the Palace.”

The Fae in the room nodded before heading out to relay his orders.

What could have caused her to leave?

He thought as he left the room.

Rainer's eyes opened to darkness. Without a moment's consideration for his own condition he reached out for Luna and tried to summon her. Blocked by an unknown force, he could do nothing. Immediately, he understood the condition his body was in.

He felt an emptiness in his chest as he channeled all his Arcane Power into [Arcane Revival]. Feeling life slip from his hands nonetheless, he used [Arcane Revival] to look at the damage. His entire heart had been blown apart.

Panic overtook him, but the scene of Luna helplessly grabbed by the roots and the thought she was now in the Fae Queen's hands brought him back. A seething rage forced him to cling to life.

He took a hand and with his blood wrote a Rune on his head. Another part of him started to use [Arcane Weaving] to close the gap to his heart, so that [Arcane Revival] could focus directly on the heart. His knowledge in [Human Anatomy] allowed for such a thing.

Even in Death, I'll take you with me…

Rainer thought as he wrote a Rune to seal his soul, no different than raising an undead, onto his forehead. The exact process to becoming a [Lich] was only outlined. Every method started with forcing the Soul to remain.

Such a process done poorly could only lead to him being a mindless undead. But he clung to life in any way he could.

As he tried to finish healing he found his Arcane Power depleting but he felt Arcane Energy all around him. He manipulated it into his [Arcane Revival].

He found himself lacking the strength to remain aware. But in his final seconds he felt the beating of his heart and life return to him.

But as the rest of his body started to heal, a realization came over him; He used [Arcane Revival] for too long. His body began freezing and the surrounding Arcane Energy flowing into him prevented him from canceling the skill.

[Arcane Revival has reached level 7]

[Experience Gained: 41%]

Even as it leveled from his ability to use outside Arcane Energy to fuel the skill, it did not stop the aspect of Order that froze his body.

How did I evolve [Arcane Rage]? How? How?

Rainer desperately thought as he found himself entirely unable to stop the skill. The surrounding Arcane Energy continued to pour into him.

To evolve [Arcane Rage] he embraced the Chaos. He allowed it to flow ever faster through his body. And with the unleashing of Chaos brought control. Brought [Arcane Awakening]. Brought the power of the [Archon] to him.

He looked outside of himself, imagining the flowing lines of [Arcane Revival]. Perhaps it had been his recent thoughts on anatomy, but he soon realized something. The flowing lines seemed almost as if veins and arteries that existed throughout his body.

Unable to even move his body, Rainer manipulated the energy further. He drew in as much as possible from the strange source around him. He did not have time to question even where this energy came from. Nor where he currently was.

As far as he knew, entering the Void itself was not possible. He could only step through it. But any questions on the matter left him.

His body hummed with the power of Arcane as he filled his veins with [Arcane Revival]'s Arcane Energy. He tried to shift the very skill into an aspect of his own body. Time passed.

[Arcane Revival has reached level 8]

[Experience Gained: 45%]

[Calculating Excess Experience]

[Archon has leveled up to lvl 16/25. Standard Attributes have been distributed. 2 Attribute and skill points have been rewarded]

The formerly flowing lines on his skin receded beneath the surface. They changed to match every vein. Lights of Arcane Energy entered his vision.

The energy pulsed and then he used [Arcane Revival] on his arteries. And once more the flowing lines of [Arcane Revival] changed to match his body.

[Arcane Revival has reached level 9]

[Experience Gained: 57%]

The beating of his heart started again. But Rainer felt he was not done. And incapable of stopping the skill even still, he knew his life was at risk.

Embrace the Order of [Arcane Revival]…

He thought as he looked inward. The flowing lines of [Arcane Revival] now matched his own veins and arteries yet soon the blood flowing began to slow. There was still a piece missing. He embraced the power of order into the veins and arteries themselves, allowing the blood to flow and be invigorated, but it still brought an eventual slowdown.

He then looked toward the very source of his blood and its mover. He used the skill on his marrow, the very nature of his blood becoming invigorated by [Arcane Revival]. And yet still he felt a stillness coming.

The Rune intent to seal his soul in his body still glowed on his forehead.

Rainer poured all the power of [Arcane Revival] into his heart. The flowing lines of veins and arteries cycling the energy through there. His heart slowed, but he did not lose focus. Even as his heart stilled he believed in this path, and even if he failed he would not allow himself to die.

Time flowed beyond Rainer's grasp as the cycling continued. Every time he faltered, he would come within an inch of death. And yet every time he recovered moving forward in his path.

[Arcane Revival has reached level 10]

[Arcane Revival has reached its maximum level. First time a skill of this difficulty has reached level 10, 70 skill points have been rewarded.]

[Experience Gained: 71%]

[Archon has leveled up to lvl 17/25. Standard Attributes have been distributed. 2 Attribute and skill points have been rewarded]

[Arcane Revival has unlocked Arcane Invigoration lvl 1/10]

[Arcane Energy Manipulation has reached level 8]

[Experience Gained: 74%]

[Archon has leveled up to lvl 18/25. Standard Attributes have been distributed. 2 Attribute and skill points have been rewarded]

[Arcane Invigoration lvl 1/10: Empower one's very heart and lifeblood with the strength of Arcane. Bring the Order of Arcane throughout the natural cycle of one's body and heal any damage. Receives improvements from [Arcane Attunement] and [Arcane Energy Manipulation]. Current Ratio = 1 Arcane Power = +19.38% Resistance Increase.]

[Arcane Awakening lvl 4/10: Ignite and Cycle the Arcane Power within one's self in order to significantly increase one's power. Receives improvements from [Arcane Attunement] and [Arcane Energy Manipulation]. Current Ratio = 1 Arcane Power = +19.38% Total Attribute Increase]

No longer were his two skills, [Arcane Awakening] and the formerly used [Arcane Revival], mutually exclusive. And no longer were the ill effects of [Arcane Revival] a factor. However, different from the 100% of [Arcane Awakening], [Arcane Invigoration] could be brought to 200%.

Rainer looked around at the darkness, his [Void Detection] spreading out. Howls of angry Devils resounded out as his serpent returned to its master.

He assumed the source of Arcane Energy when he drew from beyond was this very place. He knew not whether this was the Omnipresent Void he oft used as a means of travel, and for the time being, he cared not.

I won't forget this.

He thought as he looked at the battered and shredded magical beast who had been protecting him all this time. The serpent itself even in this state seemed far more powerful than before.

I'll give you a proper name you deserve when it's all over.

The serpent sent a feeling of happiness before returning his shoulder. Unknown to Rainer it healed almost instantly within his body. Using the [Arcane Invigoration] that still flowed through his veins.

Feeling nothing wrong with Gunthar through his connection, he immediately felt his familiar connection with Luna. Having experienced the Devil filled world before, Rainer recognized the possible time delay through sensing the connection, and it felt far greater than before. And too was the looseness of the space.

He could never be truly sure how much time had passed in here.

He panicked soon after, unable to feel Luna, but soon felt a faint trace leading toward his beloved Fairy.

And so, he vanished.

A mighty force crashed against Rainer as he tried to Void-walk to Luna. He appeared a distance away from Luna using [Void Detection] to guide his new path at the last second.

A mighty white Palace stood before him. Behind it grew a tree that soared past his view and into the clear sky. But the scenery of the Fae Realm did not even enter his view.

The Fae recently placed on guard looked stunned at the recently appeared [Archon].

Not even giving them a moment's thought Rainer charged forward in a fury. A wall of roots grew to block his path.

But even the Divine splendor glowing around them was powerless in front of his [Arcane Blade].

One of the Fae reached out to attack him. But he was immediately stopped by another who had already Appraised the [Archon]. Seeing the [Archon] run in rage toward the Palace they thought he was the target of Yulia's recent exit and let him through.

Rainer desperately cut his way through, both [Arcane Awakening] and [Arcane Invigoration] surged in his body. His connection to Luna grew weaker and weaker as he went forward.

The roots gripped at him seeking to disable the power of his class. His 200% increase from [Arcane Invigoration] let him resist the attempt long enough to sever the roots.

His serpent appeared, fully healed, and started to consume the destroyed roots. The Magic beast glowed as it started devouring all the roots that had fallen. Its power surged as it turned its attention to the still active ones.

It cleared a path forward for Rainer, empowered by the Devils and now Divine roots consumed.

Rainer entered the throne room where a gloating Yulia laughed as a violet flame encircled her.

”What is going, the World Tree…” One of the Fae watching the palace exclaimed in shock. Seeing their object of worship cut as if a simple weed sent them in confusion.

”All of you, back to your masters. Convene the courts!”

They all refocused and headed in different directions as the one who ordered stared forward at the now closed path the [Archon] had cut through.

Having lost his own brother in the Trial, he looked on in the direction the [Archon] who fought his way forward. The path cleaved by his mighty magic blade no longer existed. The Fae was a [Runic Spellsword] of level 23 and a [Grand Runic Knight] of level 16. He could have made a true attempt at stopping the [Archon].

Yet even as he watched his precious tree being damaged, he made no movement forward.

End her…

He thought in hope. His belief in the World Tree prevented him from rendering aid in the fight but his love for his fallen brother stayed his hand from the [Archon].

”Yulia!”

Rainer roared as he Void-walked. Now within the palace his walk no longer found the Divine power blocking it.

His blade swung down on Yulia who was wrapped in a violet Faire Fire. Instead of running her fire erupted toward his blade, consuming the very magic within.

[Arcane Awakening: Surge]

Rainer used the skill as he ducked down and grabbed the collapsed Luna on the ground. He Void-walked away, avoiding Yulia's flame which engulfed his previous position.

”Bind him!” Yulia roared out in anger and the World Tree protecting the palace responded. A serpent came from out in the hallway and consumed the roots that tried to grasp at Rainer.

Yulia looked on in disbelief before becoming wind. A torrent of magical wind circled around the throne room.

Activating [Arcane-Spatial Domain] Rainer moved to the center. He looked on at the barely breathing Fairy in his arms. He poured his Mana into the Fairy. It provided temporary relief but her condition did not improve.

”I have to thank you [Archon],” Yulia said with roaring laughter as she continued soaring around the throne room, blending in her magic.

”Without your Mana, the Faerie Fire would not have been complete for many years. I may have not even completed it in time to take the Trial for the Throne, and yet…” She paused before a ball of Faerie Fire erupted toward Rainer.

Not even chancing it he Void-walked away, escaping the attack as well as the Divine roots that tried to pin him in place.

”You have made my dream a reality! How long will your Mana last!” Yulia yelled as she launched blades and spikes of wind from seemingly random spots of the magical Tornado.

[Arcane Awakening: Surge] active as Rainer dodged with the aid of [Arcane-Spatial Domain]. Yulia was moving too fast, and Rainer was unable to counter.

Looking down at Luna, he noted she grew ever weaker; he thought he needed to return her flame. That her Faerie Flame was both what she had been created for and what supported her existence.

Rainer grit as teeth as he thought over a plan. Suddenly, he closed his eyes and spent his newly gained attribute points into Void Awareness.

[Void Detection] spread out over the room as his hands became clad in Arcane Aura.

Blades of wind moved by him, intent on predicting his movement. Yet his stillness left him only being slightly cut. He gripped Luna to his chest, protected.

Placing Luna in her pocket of his coat, he vanished.

An Arcane Clad hand reached out from the Void and gripped Yulia's incorporeal form. It was a bet, as casting his [Arcane Blade] risked being too slow after he left the void. Nonetheless, he still cast [Arcane Blade] in his left hand in case of failure.

He disappeared through the Void once more, Yulia in tow, before appearing nearly at the ceiling of the Palace. Gravity surged as the two plummeted. The floor cracked beneath them as he slammed into the ground.

Rainer flowed his mana through Yulia as she cried in pain and became Fae once more.

Her cries echoed through the Palace, and even the roots gripping onto Rainer, trying to throw him off were unsuccessful. Every time they reached out toward him, they would soon be consumed by his serpent long before they went through his resistance.

”You…need…me. She…Needs…the…flame…or…she…dies,” Yulia could barely speak. The Arcane-laden Mana forced into her body prevented her from using any magic nor her flame. The pain reached an unbearable level.

”I know,” Rainer responded. Yet he did not need her for this. His face a mess of rage as he unrelentingly channeled further power into the Fae. His Arcane clad hand gripped around her neck.

He channeled all his draining skills as he felt for the Faerie Fire within her. Feeling the mighty Fire, he reached out towards it.

”No!” Yulia exclaimed amidst her screams.

Rainer drained everything from her to take the flame. Her body quickly aged. She was left all but a corpse.

Using the Arcane Energy within the flame, he managed to manipulate it at last. The Faerie Fire entered Rainer's body.

And ravaged it.

The flame exploded from his left eye socket before he gripped at it and tried to contain it with his Mana pool. The pain racked his body, yet suffering from magic was nothing new to Rainer. He rose and found an empty place behind him.

He placed Luna on the ground in front of him. Even with [Arcane Invigoration] the flame decimated his body. It used his own Arcane Power as fuel. Without the healing abilities of the skill, he would have already perished.

He kneeled over Luna as he placed his hand on her. All the while his serpent fought harder than before to keep the roots at bay, consuming them tirelessly.

A roar of pain escaped him as he tried to channel the fire into her with his [Arcane Energy Manipulation]. Gouts of flame erupted from his arm, but as if drawn in by Luna the flame entered her body.

Rainer expended his Mana as he tried to heal Luna. The flame empowered and grown by Yulia's strength was far different than before.

”Come on Luna!”

Far more Mana than ever before left his body as Luna rapidly grew to accommodate the new power of the Flame.

In just several seconds she reached a full adult height. Rainer covered her with his tattered coat and feeling her healed through his familiar bond, relief washed over him even as the tree redoubled it's assault.

The hilt still gripped in his hand he walked over to Yulia who desperately crawled away. Her form aged and no longer looking anything like the young Queen of before. He simply cut away the roots that tried to grip him.

Every step on the Palace floor seemed to announce death to Yulia.

”I don't want to die…” Yulia said weakly as she looked at the blade coming upon her.

”Don't worry, you won't,” Rainer said as he put a ring on his hand.

[Soul Devouring Ring: A ring capable of assisting in stealing and storing souls.]

His [Arcane Blade] stabbed into her, and the wretched cry of her soul reverberated even to those Fae gathering outside. A vile language left Rainer's mouth as he assisted in bringing the soul to the ring.

[Devil's Soul Language has reached level 2]

The damage he caused allowed the ring to take her Soul.

Rainer ran back to Luna as the entire Palace rumbled.

He picked her up in his arms, but he currently lacked even the Mana to Void-walk.

His serpent, exhausted, flew back into his shoulder as the roots stopped attacking Rainer. Roots entirely blocked the throne room's exit. The whole room soon became covered.

”Rainer?” Luna asked sleepily.

”Luna, get some rest in my pocket, okay?” Rainer said smiling with a relaxed look on his face. A smile that did not fit the rumbling and surging of Divine Power around him. His eyes slightly glistened in tears after seeing Luna alive.

She gazed at him for a moment, before using her rare ability to still change to her old size. He carried her into his pocket and Luna went back to sleep as she felt the changes in the Faerie Fire.

With his Mana nearly depleted Rainer called forth his hilt and his [Arcane Blade] with his remaining Arcane Power alone.

He stared toward the roots blocking his path and charged.