Chapter 668 (2/2)

Spearing Roots.

Randidly felt a strange numbness as he saw it. That was… that was one of his first. It had evolved numerous times to reach its current form, and there was rarely a fight that Randidly didn’t use it. Its image was powerful and strong. It occurred to Randidly that this was probably why the damage to himself was so minimal, comparatively, even when he was being distracted for so long by the Patron’s story.

And also why the pain in his chest felt so melancholy. Something precious had been ripped away from him. Struggling for its owner, that Skill had been snuffed out without any fanfare. Randidly could accomplish the same thing with Plant Dominance, perhaps, but the image-

Caring and familiarity are the most important. Repetition is strength, Skarch seemed to whisper to Randidly. He never could overcome her in their battles of images, but Randidly had begun to come close as time went on. Steeling himself, Randidly considered the Ashen Image. In his heart, he knew he could win; the Patron of Ash didn’t care about the image, and therefore Randidly would gladly crush it.

But in his initial haste to save his important Skills, Randidly had made a miscalculation; it became immediately apparent that the Skills that had been turned into ash were resonating with the Ashen Image, and adding more strength to it. The pain struck at him like a whip, curving around his mental defenses and slashing at his weaknesses.

Those Skills in the surrounding area began to turn to Ash, and Randidly growled. He needed to make a decision, and now. Closing his eyes, he mentally shook his head. This is foolish. You never meet a superior strength with strength.

But his Yggdrasil Skills shifted to the forefront, burning brightly against the Ashen Image. Golden Roots of Yggdrasil was the brightest of all, flooded with more Aether than he had ever poured into himself before. He could feel Neveah’s concern suddenly, as she asked what was all, but just as quickly the energy of the Patron of Ash rushed to mute that connection.

Randidly’s grin was vicious. That was fine. He didn’t plan on relying on anyone else’s help anyway.

No matter the brave face he put forward, Randidly couldn’t help but feel a flash of despair as the corner of the Golden Roots of Yggdrasil began to blacken and smoke. Then, as he watched, it became dim and transformed into ash.

The pain did have one positive effect. It served to numb Randidly somewhat. As he watched his self-created Skill slowly become corrupted, he didn’t feel anything but cold fury. Again, he ignored the improvements to Visualization and focused on stubbornly resisting the Ashen Image.

It was difficult, not just because of the strength of the image that could make one a Patron, but because of the image itself. It was all about igniting a substance, hollowing it out of substance, and turning into ash in a blaze of power. It was obvious why no previous Chosen had been able to resist this. But Randidly refused to simply be another

Still, Randidly didn’t have the luxury of dwelling on it. Randidly pulled more Aether and reinforced the Skill. Immediately, it became apparent that there was another problem. His Class was beginning to shake. Perhaps he had spoken too soon in regards to the structural integrity earlier. To buy himself some time, Randidly advanced the Crown of Upheaval and Silence, which was feasting on the chaos inside of the Soulspace. He could feel it growing at a noticeable pace. Its powerful suppressing effect smashed into the Ashen Image.

Not a permanent solution, but it would have to do.

The thing was vibrating, causing a dull sort of ache in Randidly’s chest. Such was the constant assault of the pain of losing his Skills that it was barely noticeable. But his instincts screamed something was going on here, so Randidly paid more attention to the vibration. Suddenly, his perspective switched, and he cursed. He didn’t have fucking time for this.

But he paused as he looked around. The pain receded somewhat. Randidly was standing in a circle of fire trees. The trees were partially grown, and their branches twisted upwards like gnarled fingers grasping at the sky above. The Planting of the Forest of Enmity.

One tree glowed with a feeling of justice and comradery. Another seemed twisted and malformed as if something vital had shifted within it, and it hadn’t yet adapted. Another was cold and desolate, but proud amongst its brothers.

It was the final two that caught Randidly’s attention. Because both seemed to speak to him at that moment. Both offered him Paths forward.