Master Of None

Both Onyx and Midnight moved to the edges to wait for the sun to shift. They thought it would be easier to explore when the added light mana from the sun would not be making the area even harder to move around in. They found that as the sun shifted, the light reflected by the glassy dunes would shift as well.

When clouds would pass overhead which was rare in a desert, it would cause a quick shift in the light mana making spikes of light mana or spears of light mana fly through the air or melt certain areas of sand again.

This was how the entire area had gotten this way, the movement of the sun and the light mana stayed together causing more sand to be melted in to glass. There was also the fact that the sand and light were being forcefully merged in this area which would surely create a unique environment where a few unique plants or monsters might grow.

Walker needing hours to get there since he was handling the other bridge to the elemental planes and also because this wasn’t an immediate danger was good. Now Midnight and Onyx both had been able to grasp the strangeness of how the light mana moved due to the sun.

It was a little harder as the night began to extend across the sky and the moon rose. ”I knew you said there was a lot of glass here but this is almost a full mix between the earth and light mana present here.”

Walker’s arrival was nearly silent but both Onyx and Midnight had sensed him through their bond. They could also feel his weariness. Walker was still tired from what he’d been working on, yet, they noticed another feeling.

When Walker focused on their bonds with him they could feel a slight change in the mana flowing between them. Right now they felt that he was fully focused on their bonds. Like he was making sure they felt comfortable and safe even though he knew they were strong enough to handle themselves.

But that was how family was.

”Oh, I have a skill that helps me split my focus better now. The multi tasking skill could advance and adding it together to better work with the mental archive skill I can accomplish more at once. Like making sure you are both ready to help me take care of this… well, whatever this is.”

He genuinely did not expect that a dungeon could open right next to the bridge or that it would even be triggered by the formation of the bridge nearby. Or vice versa, the bridge would cause a dungeon to form.

While he wanted to explore the dungeon, Walker found this to be more evidence that dungeons might be the tiniest of elemental planes mimicking the world condensed in to the world somehow. Not that it felt like this was actually a solid theory.

There were many more smaller working theories to support different larger theories and he knew very well that grasping any of them would be a trial. The world and existence were not something just anyone, even him, could grasp easily.

”The light is dangerous here. Those scorch marks are burned plants and some bones over there prove that the sand spine lizards were killed by spontaneous light spears or spikes.” Onyx’s concerns were fair, the light mana was still very dense here but the moonlight adding to it made things calmer now.

There was still a lot of risk though.

If Walker wished he would be able to manipulate the light mana easily. While Onyx was absorbing some naturally, he also was holding back and not consuming a lot since it would be more dangerous. However, the few serpents within his shadow hiding out had been using this opportunity to grow a bit. Not that it was an issue at all as long as they safely hid away in Onyx’s shadow.

”The moonlight could make it dangerous too if the sunlight makes it more dangerous.” This seemed unusual to Onyx and Midnight heard Walker say it. They expected him to say this was the safest time.

”Don’t look at me like I’m crazy, the moonlight is calmer but you two have both met the moonlight seamstress and the moonlight archer. The seamstress sees threads of moonlight in to what she makes and the moonlight archer creates pale white arrows from light that flow silently through the air. You see how the light mana is moving more slowly but you can still see it?”

In the air, the reflected moonlight became denser and easier to see. It even appeared like silk blowing in the wind. Most would call it a beautiful sight.

After picking up a clump of burned glass Walker tossed it. When it hit the silky moonlight, the light became more vibrant. Every place the light split apart because of the rock sharp needle like pieces of pale light stabbed out. It was temporary and quick but all three felt the intense danger that came with that.

”The sunlight is dangerous since it is more destructive, it can condense and cause larger attacks. The moonlight looks calm and beautiful, but it’s just as dangerous and can cause trouble in a wider area.”

This was something that many elves took note of. The vampires were similar in their studies too. Since the elves relied on nature they leaned toward plants and the need for sunlight so their light affinity race members often focused on sunlight. The vampires were opposite, they studied the moon and found ways to channel moonlight more often.

While both races understood the opposing form of light it was more than unique to point out the differences between them. It made it clear that more factors governed these forms of light. Potentially the will of the world or existence, it was unknown and Walker didn’t want to spend too much time contemplating it right this second.

’Conflicting light dungeon

This dungeon can only be entered once a year by those with light mana affinity. Inside is a world of conflicting light manas always changing. It is an extremely dangerous place which does not provide any plants or monsters with an opportunity for growth.

There is a potent density of light mana that can inspire those who are able to withstand it and learn from it. Being able to enter for an hour would be the same as meditation for years to come.

Someone can only enter this dungeon once in their lifetime. If they attempt to enter again the light mana will react violently and attack them. This is the will of the dungeon and not…’

The dungeon seemed interesting. Onyx wanted to go inside right now but Walker pointed out how it was absorbing a lot more light mana and was nowhere near able to open. Luckily Walker could use the all around appraisal and get a few more details. It would only be a few more months.

”With how dangerous this area will be and how rare it is for this dungeon to open we will have to use it sparingly. Maybe as a reward for those who achieve greater things. I wonder if more dungeons like this will appear. Purely based on elemental manas with nothing else to gain but insights.” To Walker, this was even more valuable than a dungeon with plants to collect and monsters to fight.

Many people would find that this dungeon was even able to be said to be better than the light floor in the magic tower. In a way, it was since there was even denser light mana. Where it was not was that it was only open once a year and people could only enter it once in their entire life.

”Will it remain here” This is what both Midnight and Onyx wanted to know. She would gladly like to check this dungeon out and learn from it. But if it would disappear or not be able to open once Walker changed the bridge right next to it, then there wasn’t any point.

”It should be fine. This is a desert, a lot of undisputed light mana flows here. That should be enough to replenish the dungeon every year. It just might get pushed away by space a little and end up a bit further from the bridge.”

This made the most sense as Walker began to connect to the bridge. The two had the opportunity to watch and sense the flow of space mana. To see it warp as Walker encouraged life, death, and natural mana to widen the opening and solidify the space the bridge was made of. They felt they had glimpsed something profound, something that could help them grow more, they just needed the chance to use it too.

.…

….

….

Please say no to piracy! Don’t take part in crime! Don’t patronize thieves!

Drop those golden tickets!