The Barbarian Ascension - Chapter 7

Chapter 7: Goodbye, Volcanic Islands…

The festival roared to life around me. Fires crackled, casting dancing shadows on the surrounding trees while the smell of roasted meat filled the air. 

Men and women threw back their heads, laughing and singing, their voices carrying a rhythm of ancient chants. The barbarians danced around the fire with wild spirits, their movements free and untamed. Plates overflowed with chunks of boar and slabs of meat from various magical beasts—the kind I’d only ever heard of in stories. 

Even the younger ones clashed in friendly brawls, their yells and grunts blending with the drumbeats. I laughed. “Fucking barbarians.”

Even if they had the intelligence of an elementary schooler, they were a fun bunch. I couldn't help but laugh again, stepping back as a couple of guys barreled past me, their arms locked as they tussled for dominance. 

I might have joined them, but I wanted fresh air for a moment. 

Shrugging, I left the fire and walked past the groups of laughing barbarians who called out my name. I waved back as my steps carried me further toward the small stone cliffs that poked out of the water and overlooked the sea. The night was deep, and a soft breeze rolled in from the water, carrying the scent of salt and something else. Freedom.

Ahead, a faint glow caught my eye. There, perched on a large stone that jutted out over the water, sat an old man. It was the shaman, his curious figure wrapped in heavy robes, a hookah pipe balanced in his hand. He puffed slowly, sending a thin stream of white smoke spiraling up toward the dark, starry sky.

“Oh, hey,” I greeted him, stepping up to his perch.

The shaman looked over, his old eyes gleaming as he gave me a nod. “Ah, Thorvyn.” His voice was a whisper, deep and somehow catchy. He returned his gaze to the sky, puffing on his hookah again. 

The smoke drifted up, mingling with the stars above, casting a strange contrast against the dark blue expanse. I stared at it. Strong smell. 

I stood for a moment, watching him, then found myself settling down on a nearby rock. I leaned back, looking up at the stars. I liked the sky here. Stars were endless here, bright and clear in a way I’d never seen back home. It was strange how the same sky could look so different here. Then again, this was a different world…

I was a world away from home.

The silence between us was comfortable. But it didn’t last. “Aye,” the shaman broke it, his gaze still fixed on the stars. “Have you chosen your [Class] yet?”

I blinked, pulled from my thoughts. “Uh, no. I was planning to. Just got caught up in the party,” I replied with a slight chuckle, rubbing the back of my neck. Somehow, I’d managed to forget about that. These barbarians’ celebrations were quite distracting.

The shaman hummed, a slight smile touching his lips. “Your dialect has improved greatly, ey?”

I froze. I forgot about that… Thorvyn didn’t talk like a normal person. He talked just like the other barbarians. Had he noticed? No one else had mentioned it. But the shaman—he’d been to the outside world before. He and the Chieftain spoke clearly. 

Shit, he noticed the changes. I felt panic rising in my chest. If they realized  I had taken over Thorvyn’s body, wouldn’t they kill me? I think they would. Possession stories weren’t new even in tribal islands. No, especially in tribal islands. Not good.

“Aye, must be the other blood in your veins,” he spoke instead of waiting for my answer, sounding casual. He had saved me by reaching a conclusion of his own. “She was always smart, that woman. Your mother.” He nodded to himself as if confirming a thought. I felt a new feeling creep into my heart, shoving away the panic. 

“My mother…”

“Choose your [Class] carefully, Thoryvyn,” the shaman said. “Although Classes can evolve down the line, t’s better for the starting [Class] to be powerful. ”

It was sound advice, but something more curious gnawed at me. “Who is my mother?” The question left my lips before I could stop it, and the shaman turned to me, his eyes gleaming with something like amusement.

“Hm? Ah, I know not her name.” He took another puff, his eyes drifting toward the sea. “Saw her a few times. She was somethin’—intelligent, pretty. Wore a covering robe most times I saw her, but those blue eyes and fair skin were hard to miss.”

My heart pounded. “Was?”

“Probably is,” he corrected with a casual shrug. “And aye, truly your dialect’s improved quite a bit. You noticed the grammar.”

“Wait, she’s alive?!” I shot to my feet, the excitement coursing through me like a jolt of lightning. It was a stupid thing to hope for when I first decided to find my mother… but hearing it out loud made it feel real.

The shaman chuckled, a soft, almost kind sound. “Aye, the last time we saw her, she was. But who knows the whims of fate? Perhaps the cold hands of the God of Death embraced her already. But if I had to guess, I’d expect someone like her to survive.”

That basically meant she was alive. “Where can I find her?” The words tumbled out in a rush. I could barely keep the eagerness out of my voice. “I’m leaving for pilgrimage—I could find her. In the outside world. Tell me where I should look.”

The shaman sighed, rubbing his chin as he considered my question. “I know not the exact place. I never visited her home. But I do remember the last place I saw her.” He paused, puffing thoughtfully. “The Fenixia Duchy. In the… Eternia? Ah, the Ethenia Empire, that’s what it was called.” 

“Ethenia Empire… Ethenia Empire…”

He gave a slight nod as if confirming it to himself. “Yep, that place. If you look there, perhaps you’ll find traces.”

My heart sank a little. There wasn't much to go on. A random place in some empire far away? And to my knowledge, a duchy wasn’t some small village. The information was vague. How was I supposed to find someone supposedly secretive enough that she didn’t share her name casually with just that? 

No, as long as she’s alive, I can find her. Yes. Indeed. At least, it was something. A lead. I could cling to that. Plus, I had another lead. Just like me… she has silver hair. My blood.

“Thank you,” I said, looking up at the stars one last time. They sparkled overhead, endless and bright, just like my new list of questions. 

I turned to go, my mind already racing with thoughts of what lay ahead. As I stepped away, I heard the shaman mutter something, his voice low and soft, almost too quiet to catch. “Your son’s awakened, it seems…”

I paused, glancing back at him. He’d already gone back to staring at the sky, his eyes lost in the stars. Whatever he’d meant by that, I didn’t return to press him for it.

With a final look at the shaman, I started back toward the village. The festival’s sounds faded into the distance as I headed into my hut rather than the celebration.

 ****

The noise of the festivities faded as I slipped back into my hut, leaving the chaos of the village behind me. The dim, flickering light from the fires outside danced through the gaps in the walls, casting strange shadows over the rough-hewn interior. 

I let out a long breath, filled with tiredness and anticipation. The party was fun, but I didn’t want to stay out all night, passing out from too much drink or collapsing in the middle of the celebration. No, this was more important. I had to choose it now.

I dropped onto the bed, the furs sinking under my weight as I took a breath, letting the quiet of the hut settle around me. 

The energy outside buzzed like a distant car engine, but here, in the dimness, I felt a calmness I hadn’t felt all day. It was time. “Status,” I called up the screen, the invisible screen glowing faintly in the dark.

°°°°

Name: Thorvyn Valteria

Age: 20 years

Race: Barbarīⱥꞥ

Mana: 2250/2250

Level: 27 | 94% EXP

Class: [Choose Here]

Class Skills: [None]

General Skills:

• Valtherian Physique - [S] 

• Endure - [C]

• Slam - [D]

• Leap - [D]

°°°°

I looked at my status page. There wasn’t much of a change except for my Level and Mana. I gained 2 levels, and 150 extra Mana. Interesting. 

I didn’t waste any further time on that. I clicked [Choose Here]. The screen expanded before me immediately, and eight options popped in front of me.

-

[Warrior] - Basic

Role: Melee Combatant

Description: The Warrior is a versatile melee fighter who specializes in using a wide range of weapons and combat techniques. They rely on physical strength, agility, and tactical prowess to excel in battle.

Abilities:

• Battle Cry

• Shield Bash

• Whirlwind Slash

• Weapon Mastery 

-

[Berserker] - Advanced

Role: Frenzied Combatant

Description: The Berserker is a wild and relentless combatant who uses sheer rage to fuel their attacks. In the heat of battle, Berserkers become unstoppable forces of destruction.

Abilities:

• Bloodlust

• Rage Mode

• Frenzied Strikes

• Unstoppable Charge

-

[Beastmaster] - Advanced

Role: Commander of Beasts

Description: The Beastmaster is a warrior who forges a deep bond with the creatures of the wild, commanding beasts to fight by their side.

Abilities:

• Beast Bond

• Primal Roar

• Tactical Hunter

• Call of the Wild

-

[Giant Slayer] - Unique

Role: Slayer of Titans

Description: The Giant Slayer specializes in taking down massive foes, such as giants, dragons, and heavily armored opponents.

Abilities:

• Critical Strike

• Armorbreaker

• Titan’s Demise

• David’s Gambit

-

I’d seen these options before, and they hadn’t changed. Each of them had their appeal. Not Warrior. That was too basic. But the Berserker had raw power and the frenzy I liked in a fight. Beastmaster was charming too, commanding beasts would have its uses. 

But it was Giant Slayer that really pulled at me. I’d killed ogres once, and now a dragon. Both creatures were larger than a house. I could see myself growing into that. But then…

There were more options. The list shimmered, as the four new options pulled at me, bathing the dark hut in a faint, eerie glow. 

I leaned forward, my eyes narrowing as I took them in.

-

[Primeval Dragon Shaman] - Advanced

Role: Primal Elementalist

Description: The Primeval Dragon Shaman taps into the ancient elemental powers of dragons. This class combines raw barbarian strength with mystical powers, allowing the user to channel draconic vitality and unleash devastating elemental attacks.

Abilities:

• Heart of the Dragon

• Elemental Infusion

• Drake’s Breath

• Primal Bond

-

[Wyrmsoul Raider] - Advanced

Role: Spirit Berserker

Description: The Wyrmsoul Raider draws upon the spirits of fallen dragons, using their essence to boost strength, speed, and agility. This class allows for powerful, spirit-infused attacks and the ability to use the elemental breath of the last dragon defeated.

Abilities:

• Soul Fusion

• Spectral Claws

• Dragon’s Breath

• Spirit’s Endurance

-

[Dragonheart Stormbringer] - Unique

Role: Dragonstorm Channeler

Description: The Dragonheart Stormbringer channels elemental powers directly into their combat style, wielding draconic elements like fire, lightning, or ice. This class enhances both physical attacks and magical abilities, creating a devastating combination of speed and elemental fury.

Abilities:

• Elemental Fury

• Tempest Strike

• Dragon’s Eye

• Storm Call

-

[Dragon Aspect Champion] - Unique

Role: Draconic Warrior

Description: This class allows the user to temporarily gain the physical traits of dragons, including scales, claws, and wings. They become fierce melee fighters, wielding these dragon aspects to overpower enemies with raw physical might and durability.

Abilities:

• Claws of the Wyrm

• Dragon’s Gaze

• Wings of Fury

• Scaled Armor

-

“That’s a lot of options,” the last four were quite dragon-heavy classes. I didn’t hate that. Dragons were cool. My eyes scanned each one in turn. 

Each of these classes didn't just offer power but status as well. It was as if that dragon had opened a new path for me, a chance to use the primal draconic power for myself. How many people could slay a dragon before choosing their Class? I was new to this world and had no idea about the outside world, but even then I’d guess few. If any.

The four options weren’t bad. Primeval Dragon Shaman sounded cool, but I didn’t want to sing songs and bring rain. I was not a shaman-type fighter. Dragonheart Stormbringer was similar to that, handling draconic elements, but it was different in the sense that it wasn’t spell casting but rather something more direct. Something like a cloak of lightning from different anime and games I’ve seen. At least, it seemed that way.

Wyrmsoul Raider was also quite an interesting path, but it relied on borrowed powers. Also, it’d turn me into a dragon-killer specialty, as I’d have to run around searching for dragons if I wanted to earn more powers in that Class. Too limited for my test.

Dragon Aspect Champion was one of my more liked choices. It seemed to allow me a partial dragon transformation… That was overpowered. Although it meant I’d be weak against special dragon-type attacks and artifacts. That could be a drawback.

My gaze moved on to Stormbringer. 

It was either that or Dragon Aspect Champion.

The idea of wielding elemental fury, of summoning storms in my fists and blasting through foes with fire and lightning, set my blood on fire. It wasn’t as cool as dragon transformation, but it didn’t have the weakness of dragon-type. It’d also expand my fighting style, from melee only to energy type too.

I scrolled through the rest a few more times, thinking deeply. 

With a deep breath, I reached out and touched the screen, my finger hovering over the one Class. A thrill spread through my veins as I pressed it, and a surge of energy exploded outwards, filling the hut with a crackling aura. 

The air around me seemed to hum, and for a moment, it felt like the very walls were vibrating with raw power. A pulse of energy rippled through me as the decision solidified.

[Congratulations! Your path is now set.]

[You have chosen the Dragonheart Stormbringer class.]

[Class: Dragonheart Stormbringer - Level 1 has been acquired.]

The notifications blinked in front of me, imprinting a new layer of power that surged through my body, rippling through my mana channels and settling into my muscles and bones. The transformation was instant; I could feel the elemental fury coursing within me, ready to be unleashed.

[Your hidden, untamperable stats have increased. Vitality, Strength, Intelligence, Dexterity, and Endurance have all increased.]

-

Dragonheart Stormbringer Class Bonuses:

Elemental Affinity (Fire, Lightning, Ice) +50%

Physical and Elemental Attack Power +30%

Resistance to Fire, Lightning, and Ice +25%

Shock Immunity: You are immune to paralyzing and shock effects. Your own elemental energy will short-circuit any attempts to control you with such attacks.

Conduit’s Presence: Elemental creatures within a 30-meter radius may recognize you as a conduit of the storm, reacting with either respect or fear based on their nature.

[You’ve acquired 4 starting Class Skills. These skills will grow in power as you level up your Dragonheart Stormbringer class, and you’ll also gain new ones with each level.]

Passive: [Elemental Fury]:

Your attacks become infused with elemental energy based on your current environment or mood (fire, lightning, or ice; you can actively choose them after mastering the Class). This infusion enhances your strikes and adds bonus elemental damage while granting partial immunity to that element.

Category: Elemental Infusion

Active: [Tempest Strike]:

Unleash a devastating melee strike infused with elemental energy. This attack combines both physical and elemental damage, chaining wind and fire to multiple nearby foes. Damage output scales based on proximity and number of targets.

Category: Elemental Melee

Passive: [Dragon’s Eye]:

Your perception sharpens, allowing you to see through natural and magical obstructions. You are more prone to detect hidden enemies and perceive invisible threats, giving you an advantage against ambushes and allowing for tactical awareness in chaotic battles.

Category: Enhanced Perception

Active: [Storm Call]:

Summon a localized storm around you, dealing sustained elemental damage over time in an aura that crackles around you. The storm can be attuned to fire, lightning, or ice based on your current environment or mood (and you can actively choose the affinity after mastering the Class), applying status effects such as burning, shocking, or slowing enemies caught within its reach.

Category: Area of Effect

-

I could feel it, raw power seething at the tips of my fingers, the pulse of fire, the crackle of lightning, the chill of ice—all of it thrumming within me, waiting to be called forth. My body hummed with new energy, muscles tense and ready. I was no longer just a barbarian. I felt like a force of elemental might.

Shit. Class Advancement feels better than sex. Each of these abilities pulsed within me, waiting to be unleashed. It felt so good. It hadn’t even been a week since I came to this world, it got me curious about what more it had to offer. The storm within me had only just begun to stir.

I grinned, feeling a new strength settling in, like my body was adjusting to something it had craved all along. A laugh bubbled up from my chest as I collapsed onto the bed, the furs cool against my skin. 

Tomorrow, I'll test this power. I’d unleash it and see just how much I could handle. But for now, I closed my eyes, letting the power settle into my bones, a grin lingering on my face as sleep took me.

****

The air was thick with excitement and the scent of salt, a mixture that didn’t feel intoxicating to me anymore. I had grown used to the island. But it was time to go.

It had taken a while to prepare, but finally, we were ready. Two massive ships, their hulls carved from the trees of the island and reinforced with the hide of beasts we’d slain, bobbed in the sea behind the chieftain. 

Each one could hold more than two dozen men with ease, and soon, they were going to be filled with the barbarians standing tall and eager at the shore.

A month ago, the thought of leaving this island was lingering in my head all the time, but now I felt a little sad as I was about to leave. Not enough for it to stop me from leaving; rather, it felt like leaving a good vacation. 

Still, I was definitely less annoyed by the barbarians. This place had molded me into a barbarian and a warrior, too, and now it was time to see what the world outside had to offer.

The chieftain, Yrsa Valteria, stood like a mountain on the shore, her presence somehow mightier than the ships behind her. She surveyed the gathered warriors with fierce pride, her gaze one of steel and lava. Her voice boomed over the wind and the waves, reaching every ear, carrying a weight that made people stiffen up.

“One ship will go northwest, and the other will go northeast,” she announced, her voice cutting through the anticipation. The right ship, my ship, would go northeast. “Because I don’t want you all traveling together. The Valtherians don’t need to hunt in big packs!”

The young barbarians let out a roar of approval, fists raised to the sky. I felt the energy surging through the crowd, like an electric charge that mirrored my own. I was far more excited to leave than them. But they were excited by her words. As Valtherians, they thrived in the thrill of the hunt, the call of the unknown. They didn’t need the feeling of safety that came from a large group.

“Once you land,” Yrsa continued, “you’ll split up into smaller groups. I don’t want the world to think that we Valtherians can’t fend for themselves! So keep your groups small—too many in one group, and you’ll waste your kills on each other!” Her gaze swept over us, piercing and fierce. “But never go alone. A lone Valtherian is strong, but there’s no honor in death for the sake of pride. It’s still a foreign land.”

Another roar rose from the crowd. The barbarians agreed to all of her words. They- we… were ready to face whatever waited beyond the shores of our island.

“Chief, chief!” A barbarian raised his hand, and Yrsa nodded at him. “Chief! When are we return home?” he shouted, his voice cutting through the cheers.

The chieftain’s lips curled into a grin. “When you’ve made a name for yourself, of course,” she declared. “Only when you’ve done that! Understood?!”

Silence fell over the crowd. It was a command that felt like a challenge. They couldn’t come back until we had carved our names into the world. No more island. No more home. Not until they returned victorious, carrying the weight of our conquests. 

The roar that followed was quieter, tinged with a realization of the task that lay ahead.

“Now, get on the ships!” Yrsa shouted, her voice snapping everyone back to attention. The barbarians surged forward, a tide of muscle rushing toward the ships. Ragnar and I headed for the ship on the right, our steps in sync as we moved toward our new future.

But then a voice rang out, sharp and unmistakable. “Wait!”

I stopped and turned, recognizing the tone even before I saw him. Draegan. He stood in front of the chieftain, his gaze fixed on her, but from the corner of his eyes, he was very aware of where Ragnar and I were standing.

“I want Ragnar on my ship, Chief.” His words cut through the noise. He looked from the chieftain to me, his eyes narrowing as if daring me to challenge him. He then looked at his sister to my side, who stiffened.

“What’s he up to now…” Ragnar mumbled.

“No idea,” I didn’t know either. What the hell was wrong with him?

Yrsa’s glare was immediate. “No, you don’t,” she growled. “I feel very annoyed that you interrupted the flow for this nonsense! Ragnar is as safe as ever with Thorvyn as she’d be with you.” Her voice dropped, and the venom in her tone was palpable. “Stop acting up and get on your ship, son.”

Draegan’s jaw clenched, his shoulders bunching like he was about to argue. But he knew better than to go against the chieftain’s orders, even if she was his mother. He nodded sharply, turning on his heel and striding over to the ship on the left. 

His gaze lingered on me as he passed, his eyes flashing with something like resentment. I watched him go, feeling a strange sense of satisfaction as I smirked. Then Ragnar and I continued toward the right ship. 

I passed by the chieftain, who grabbed my shoulder. “....” She didn’t say anything. She just looked at me and nodded. I nodded back. Yrsa hesitated before reaching out a hand, placing it on Ragnar’s head, and ruffling her hair. She smiled. “Go.”

Ragnar smiled widely at that. She and I made our way to the ship on the right. A bunch of other barbarians followed behind us. We boarded with almost two dozen people on this ship. We stared at the island as the sails were loosened. 

The air blasted with a chorus of horns from the shore. The remaining barbarians on the islands lined the beach, their cheers and shouts carrying over the water. “Pilgrimage! Pilgrimage! Pilgrimage! Pilgrimage!”

We pushed off from the shore, the island slowly slipping away as the oarsmen rowed us into the open sea. I found myself unable to turn back, watching the island grow smaller, its rugged coastline fading into the distance.

The sun was beginning to climb higher, casting a golden glow over the island. I could see the faint outline of the mountains, the dense forests that had been my battlegrounds, the peaks that had witnessed my rise. The volcanos that named the island. Regardless of how little time I’d spent here, this place had become home to me in ways I hadn’t expected. 

Now, I was leaving it behind.

I turned around. The sea stretched before us, vast and endless, a mirror reflecting the sky. It reminded me of how small I was, yet it called to me. The unknown lands and challenges waiting beyond. 

“It’s beautiful,” Ragnar said from beside me. I agreed. I grinned, feeling the wind whip against my face as the ship pressed forward. 

“Goodbye, Volcanic Islands…” I muttered under my breath, turning to give the land one last look. I might return someday, but only after I’d found my mother and received answers.

Only when I had conquered whatever lay beyond.

**

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The Veiled Man: And that’s 20k words. I hope you liked it, I REALLY do, and I’m looking forward to hearing your thoughts on the story so far. 

Ah and in case you haven't caught onto where this stands relating to the timeline to The Martial God,, it's in the future – give or take a few hundred years. We’ll see more tidbits of it later on. Although, not much, not nearly enough for this to be too ‘connected’ to TMG that it becomes unreadable without reading TMG first. This is a standalone that happens to share the world.

I am not sure when the next chapter will be, I’ll try to post this Monday or next Monday, depending on if I’m free enough to write this. Till then, cheers!