Master Of None

”Brother, they are very interesting. We sensed the difference when we came and stopped to look.” Onyx slowly moved out of the shadows at his smaller size and wrapped himself around Walker’s arm.

”Nice to see you back too, how are the little serpents? Growing well?” Walker hadn’t left the mansion yet and was doing a little training with basic weapons in the small training area. He had wanted to improve himself without mana in the slightest free time he could manage.

”There are three who have grown very well.” three shadows released larger serpents. Nowhere near the massive size that Onyx could take but all three would give wolves a run for their money if they were attacked by them. It was clear that the light and darkness naturally occurring runes were extremely valuable in their growth as of late.

This didn’t even consider the fact that some of them were influenced by the unique light and dark affinity herbs growing there for the serpents to consume. Walker had half a mind to go back to their small village and see what had been developed as the land and anchor for the entire race Onyx was leading now.

But that would have to wait. Onyx would invite Walker when he was ready to show off their achievements. Things that they had founded themselves to show they could stand equally with every race in Genesis. Many other races had the same mentality in their own shape and form. It was amazing to hear and see it all happen though.

”I don’t think you came just to introduce me and to tell me you’ve seen the earthen chimera monsters that are trying to become a race?” Onyx shook his head at Walker, Walker knew that Onyx might have some other good news.

”The dungeon we use opened earlier, I thought it needed the right time with the moon and manas absorbed. The conditions changed because we were there and all the mana from training was absorbed by it.”

Easing his eyebrows, Walker hummed a little. This was very good to know. Dungeons were unique aspects of the world now, they absorbed mana to manifest and heal the spaces they had. Meaning that if having training areas or general living areas works that allowed them to open sooner again was a good thing.

While this would have to be tested for safety, it was a good thing to know. There was always the potential that too much mana would go to one surrounded by living quarters or training grounds and it would open too often to keep up with. Not that it was a certainty for it to work that way.

”Also, these three came with me because they have gained a special class that lets them grow larger and tougher. Their affinity for light was even cut in half when they accepted the class.” This made Walker refocus on the three serpents waiting patiently.

They did appear a little uncomfortable being out in the open, their tails were starting to drift back in to the shadows of while they waited.

”They are shadow guards. We have had people call themselves shadow guards but they were assassins that protected from the shadows. Their class is called shadow guards.”

”They lose a lot of their light affinity to gain more connection to the shadows. They can remain silent and unnoticed with stealth in the shadow of someone for weeks on end. Their shadow armor can remain for hours with minimal dark mana added in. They are ideal guards to raise and a few more may awaken the class among the others.”

Now Walker could understand the point that Onyx wanted to make. ”You want the Genesis council to begin hiring your shadow guards to be able to defend them if something happens?”

”Yes, brother. I can wrap you in a coil and protect you. They can do the same in the future. Or they can protect important guests.” Onyx had pride in the serpents but he also saw a lot of value in their class mixed with their affinities and race.

”I think this will be perfect actually.” Walker had heard a thing or two about the queen and her daughter visiting Genesis. If these three shadow guards watched them, it was an added aspect of comfort and also a chance to show some respect to the home Walker and the others came from.

The human kingdom was a little further away now that the world had changed but they were still very supportive and sent a lot of merchants towards Genesis. They were also the ones who spoke directly with Markus Raven as their Genesis representative. Meaning that their relationship to Genesis was all the much stronger since Markus helped establish the majority of the Genesis treasury.

After outlining the idea, the three shadow guards blended in to the shadows, clearly they were more comfortable hiding but Walker could still see clear excitement in their eyes to show their strength.

”So, I take it the rest of your day is free?” Onyx nodded softly at Walker.

”Then that means you can come walk with me to see the coal people. Their leader has awoken from what I have been told. The eternal ember might be able to walk about now.” That new day little more hope from Walker but if it was true it would be a good thing.

Neither of them could imagine the coal prowl being able to venture around all of the Genesis territory safely. The pair talked about how some races couldn’t enter certain areas due to the lack of resistance they possessed already.

However, as Onyx and Walker neared the higher fire mana dense boundaries of the coal people’s city, they noticed they had plenty of farmers working up a storm.

There were various herbalists and additional Genesis farmers in fire resistant robes and armor while speaking with the coal people farmers. They were already preparing the land and clearly stunned with the earth being so different. They had to add more fire mana to make their plants grow which would work hand in hand with their newly found skills to manipulate fire mana more clearly.

When the pair made it beyond the flame crystal walls, Walker felt that the walls themselves now helped a more calm form of mana. It was closely connected to the world in balance meaning that it also worked in turn with the rune formations across Genesis now. A striking improvement he didn’t expect to naturally occur.

In minutes they were greeted by guards. They appeared larger than before, not intimidating or like they had gained weight but just generally healthier. There were also more common folk out too. The children mostly stared up at the sky since it had vibrant clear blue instead of the normal flaring red and oranges of the fire elemental plane.

This was natural since they had come to a new land, undergone a baptism of sorts, and now were acclimating to the world as a whole. It was nice to take in the little wonders.

There were others who also appeared to be more energetic than they had before. The coal people were not hiding in their homes full of worries, they appeared vibrant and excited. Even the attendants who led them in to the familiar meeting hall were nearly skipping while they walked.

When they spotted the coal person who had been leading everyone, the eternal ember, their king or lord, he looked entirely different.

The coal he sat upon was more part of his body now while he stood taller and the embarking flames within spilled out to create even more defined features. the coal parts of his body on his head even seemed to form a crown of sorts.

”We have seen too much lately to understand. Yet I still feel and see so many of my people full of joy. We may not venture far from here just yet, but we feel it.”

”I can see it. Everyone looks healthier already and our mages are still working on creating the flame crawling coal you will all need. I would go so far to say that you all rely on the world’s fire mana more now. In time I feel like you will all be able to travel the entire Genesis territory without much worry.”

As much as this sounded overly positive it was clear that Walker believed it to be true. He could sense the mana was bonded more to other manas but that would become more unified as the years went by.

”We have started to find more out about ourselves. We are not just bodies of solid coal but bodies of pure flame within a shell. We can extend ourselves beyond.” The flames moved and formed a hand showing the real form of the coal people.

”You are very much like the spirit race in that respect. I believe speaking with the fire affinity spirit race members you canceled a lot about your mana manipulation skills.” Walker spoke earnestly while Onyx observed the attendants and their clear excitement.

All of them were ready to build and do more than anything they had ever done before. They had the abilities now. The stress was gone and they were ready to carve out their own paths. He just had to help Walker support them.

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