High atop his obsidian throne, Raziel watched through an enchanted scrying pool as the trio ascended deeper into his icy domain. The wind swirled like ghosts around his castle, carrying whispers of their progress. Their movements were deliberate, their teamwork refined, and despite their apparent inexperience, they had managed to outmaneuver and outlast the young yetis.

  “Interesting,” Raziel murmured, his voice a smooth baritone that reverberated through the chamber. His dark eyes gleamed with a mix of curiosity and amusement. “They’re far from seasoned, yet they endure. Perhaps they’re worth testing.”

  A figure emerged from the shadows behind him, her silhouette slender but her presence commanding. “My lord, shall I dispatch our elite guard?” the vampiress asked, her voice dripping with reverence.

  Raziel raised a hand to silence her. “No. Send the spawn, they're too green for the elite guard. Let’s see how far their skill and resolve will take them. If they’re truly worthy, they’ll reach the castle.”

  The vampiress bowed, her crimson cloak swirling as she disappeared into the darkness. Raziel returned his gaze to the pool, leaning forward as the magical image shifted to the trio’s campfire. “Prove your worth,” he whispered, a hint of a smile playing on his lips.

  Far below, Aeryn’s relentless training continued in the castle’s inner courtyard. The sound of clashing steel and grunts of exertion filled the cold air as she sparred with one of Raziel’s generals. Her movements were precise, her strikes calculated, but the weight of exhaustion dragged at her limbs. Sweat trickled down her temple, freezing before it could reach her chin.

  “Again,” barked her instructor, a towering vampire clad in blackened armor. Aeryn gritted her teeth and raised her sword, lunging forward with renewed effort. She was unaware of the trio’s journey through the mountains, her focus consumed entirely by Raziel’s grueling demands.

  “Aeryn,” a voice interrupted, smooth and familiar. Her fiancé, Valen, strode into the courtyard with an easy confidence that made her stomach churn. His golden hair was perfectly coiffed, his pristine cloak utterly unsuited to the harsh environment. He carried himself as if the world were his to command.

  “You’re looking radiant even in the midst of battle,” Valen said, his tone dripping with false charm.

  Aeryn didn’t lower her blade. “What do you want, Valen?” she snapped, her voice sharper than her weapon.

  Unperturbed, Valen spread his arms theatrically. “To admire my future bride, of course. Your skill grows with every passing day. The king must be proud.”

  “I have work to do,” she said curtly, turning back to her sparring partner. Valen wasn’t so easily dismissed, he stepped closer, his gaze lingering on her in a way that made her skin crawl.

  “You should rest,” he said, his voice softening as he reached out to touch her shoulder. “You push yourself too hard. Let me take care of you.”

  Aeryn spun away from his grasp, her crimson rapier leaving a bloody scratch on his cheek. Her blade was poised at his eye level, her eyes blazing with fury. “Don’t,” she warned, her knuckles whitening around the hilt of her sword. “I’ve told you before, I’m not interested in your concern, false or otherwise.”

  Valen’s cheek healed nearly instantly, though his expression flickered with hurt, or the closest approximation he could muster. “My dear, you wound me. I only wish to see you thrive.”

  “Then leave me alone,” she growled. “And don’t call me ‘dear.’”

  The instructor cleared his throat, his patience clearly waning. Valen offered a final, insincere smile before retreating a few steps. “As you wish Aeryn, but don’t forget our union is inevitable. When we are officially wed you will obey me. I'm confident you’ll see reason one day.”

  Her eyes burned holes into his back as he left, her jaw clenched so tightly it ached. The moment he disappeared, she turned back to her instructor. “Again,” she barked, channeling her frustration into the swing of her blade.

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  Meanwhile, the trio faced their own trial as shadows darted between the trees. The vampire spawn struck without warning, their fangs bared and their eyes glowing with an eerie red light. Kael loosed arrows with magical precision, each shot finding its mark in the heart or head of a leaping attacker. Lorelai’s perfect amalgamation of magic and blade erupted in flashes of crimson light, timely utilization of her gravity spells slowed down her opponents in a way that made dispatching them much easier. Thrax roared as his axe cleaved through the nearest foe, each swing taking out multiple enemies. His overwhelming strength undeniable.

  The vampire spawn were relentless, every one they felled was replaced by another. “We can’t keep this up!” Lorelai shouted, her voice strained as she unleashed another spell. “There’s too many of them!”

  “We don’t have a choice!” Thrax bellowed, swinging his axe in a wide arc.

  Kael’s eyes darted around, seeking a way out. “Lorelai, can you—”

  “I can't use large scale lightning magic here, it may cause a forest fire!” she snapped, using Gravity Centrifuge, an ability she hadnt used much. The spawns were flown backwards as the pull og gravity reeled them in. Thrax used a barrage of ice spikes while the spawns were immobile. After a few seconds the gravitational energy exploded, leaving many of the spawn in pieces.

  The trio broke into a desperate sprint, the vampire spawn in pursuit. As they fled, Raziel watched through his scrying pool, a dark smile curling his lips.

  “Impressive,” he mused. “Let’s see if running is all you can do.”

  As they ran, more poured from the darkness. Lorelai gritted her teeth and stepped forward. “Stand back!” she ordered, her voice reverberating with an unnatural authority. Before the others could protest, she unleashed her true power. Feathers of radiant light unfurled from her back as her angelic form emerged, glowing with an ethereal brilliance. The spawn shrieked, recoiling from the holy energy that now filled the battlefield.

  Kael froze, his next arrow slipping from his fingers. “Lorelai… you’re an angel?”

  “Not the time, Kael!” she snapped, her voice still resonating with divine command. She raised her blade, now shimmering with celestial energy, and charged into the fray. Each swing of her sword incinerated the spawn, their dark forms disintegrating into ash with unholy screeches.

  Thrax, not to be outdone, let out a roar as deep blue scales began to creep over his skin. His dragon form emerged partially, his hands glowing with frost. He unleashed a storm of ice magic, freezing the nearest wave of spawn solid before smashing through them with his axe. “Let’s finish this!” he growled.

  Kael shook himself out of his stupor, his eyes narrowing as he nocked another arrow. He aimed for the spawn attempting to flank Lorelai and released a volley, each shot precise and deadly. “We’ve got your back, Lorelai!”

  From his throne, Raziel watched the unfolding battle with wide eyes. “She’s an angel?” Raziel muttered, rising from his throne with uncharacteristic urgency. His scrying pool rippled as he leaned closer. “An angel?” he muttered again, his voice laced with disbelief. “How is this possible?” He rose from his seat, the shadows around him writhing with agitation. “This changes everything. Recall the spawn immediately, they're incredibly weak to celestial energy.”

  Then, as suddenly as the battle had begun, the spawn faltered. They froze mid-motion, their glowing eyes flickering. A subtle ripple of energy passed through the air, a telepathic command. One by one, the vampire spawn retreated into the shadows, their movements swift and coordinated.

  The trio stood in stunned silence, their weapons still at the ready. The forest grew eerily quiet, the absence of snarls and clashing steel amplifying the sound of their heavy breathing.

  “What just happened?” Kael asked, his voice hushed.

  “I'm not sure, but it is a welcome reprieve. Anyone else grow a level after that?” Lorelai asked, retracting her wings as she returned to her human form. Her gaze swept the battlefield, now littered with the remains of their enemies. “Someone could be controlling them.”

  Thrax’s axe lowered, the frost dissipating from its blade. “Whoever it is, they’re watching us. Lets take care of our level up before we begin again. The added stats may be useful.” His tone was grim.

  The silence hung heavy over them, broken only by the distant howl of the wind. The trio exchanged wary glances, the unspoken understanding that this battle was only a prelude to the challenges ahead. They steeled themselves and pressed on, the looming shadow of Raziel’s castle beckoning in the distance. The trio had fought with newfound synergy, Lorelai’s divine light and Thrax’s icy wrath cutting a swath through the vampire spawn while Kael’s arrows ensured none escaped unscathed. The battlefield was left littered with the remains of their foes as the trio stood together, panting but victorious.

  Lorelai allocated her stat points to agility, strength and intelligence before rallying her friends, “We need to move,” Lorelai said, her angelic form fading as she staggered slightly. “Raziel knows we’re coming. This was just the beginning.”

  Thrax placed a steadying hand on her shoulder. “Then let’s make it to that castle and show him what we’re made of.”

  Kael glanced between them, his expression resolute. “Together.”

  class: Martial Force

  Agi - 24

  Will - 22

  End - 20

  Int- 19

  Lightning Animus: Scarlet Thunderbird

  Aura of Purity - emanate a protective aura that radiates from you granting allies protection and curing against poison, charm effects, and status ailments such as paralysis and petrification. Cures minor curses.

  Bolt Slash/Piercer: A slash(sword)/Punch (Spear) that sends out lightning/radiant magic attack from a weapon. Small chance of paralysis effect, duration 1.5 s

  Gravity Slash/Piercer: The slash presses down, the punch presses to a wall or other object. Str of gravity effect coordinates with WILL stat.

  Daylight(light magic)- illuminates dark areas, weakens undead, and dispels magical darkness below a certain level/tier

  Zakir- large bolt of lightning shot with two fingers, high piercing effect

  Oppression- greatly increase the gravitational force in an aoe

  Gravity Centrifuge-you create a focal point to create your gravitational pull point. Any enemy within a fifteen meter radius is pulled towards the center. The closer to the center, the stronger the pull. The ball of gravity explodes at the end of the spell dealing damage proportional to proximity to the center

  Repulse- can repel or pull any metal object under the effects of lightning clad

  Weight Manipulation (upgrade pending)- Alter the weight of yourself or target, concentration required. Drastic changes are available at a higher tier

  Spatial Storage: Provides a pocket dimension to store non-living things in, the size of the space is dependent upon your INT stat.

  Rapid thrusts - Give numerous quick thrusts, number of thrusts dependent upon AGI stat power of thrust dependent upon STR stat

  Dash(Rank II)- rapidly increase movement speed for up to 2 meters cd 15 seconds. Speed of dash is dependent upon AGI stat, distance is dependent upon STR stat. At a small mana cost create an after-image to confuse enemies

  Counterstrike- Parry and counter strike with a higher chance to critical. crit chance dependent upon WILL stat, damage dependent upon STR

  Smite- Coats armaments in divine energy to augment weapon damage

  Affinities: holy, radiant, light, lightning, gravity, spacetime, electromagnetism

  basic skills- dash unarmed combat

  Swordsmanship: Diamond Cutter: Dragonslaying Sword (second form)

  Spearmanship: Spear of the Divine: Precision and Punishing (second form)

  unique talent - shapeshifting (human only)