MM - Chapter 129 - FLAMES OF THE SOUL

[Soul Flame of Amanesh: (Chaotic Gold - Soulbound - LVL 25) A named soul flame not yet under its owner's complete command. Significant tempering of the soul is required to unleash its full potential (Soul Resistance +20) (All attributes +75)]

[Innate skill 1 - Sacrifice: Douse your soul in flames to further boost your resistance to soul-damaging effects and gain Mastery over the Soul Flame of Amanesh (Current Mastery: 1/10) (Cooldown: 1 week)]

[Innate skill 2 - Purge: In a burst of intense heat, eradicate toxins, poisons, and paralytics from the body. Note: causes some discomfort (Cooldown: 30 seconds)]

[Innate passive 1 - Sharing is Caring: Wield your inner flame against your enemies, dealing 25 soul damage per second (Damage = Mastery x Level) (no cooldown) (no cost)]

[Innate passive 2 - Wisdom of Amanesh: Concentrate your inner flame in various areas of the body for a wide variety of effects (Locations currently unlocked: Hands) (Further Mastery will unlock additional areas) (no cooldown) (no cost)]

Raine had no idea what soul tempering was. He knew enough about ZionLine's version of the soul to understand the implications were astounding. Just as amazing, its soulbound nature meant it would grow with him, offering higher attributes as he leveled. Its effects were ludicrous, considering it didn’t take up an equipment slot. By the time he maxed out its Mastery, there was a good chance it would be his most powerful weapon.

Raine didn’t know what to do or say. All he wanted was to read the description over and over. Except time trundled on, and a particular buzzing insect had run up to him. Celeste shook his shoulder incessantly, her words shattering his reverie, “Raine! Raine! What happened?! Answer me!”

Raine pinned her with a dangerous glare, “We do not use our real names here.” As his ire manifested, a pull on the bundle of flames resting in his belly manifested. He instinctively knew the tiniest bud of killing intent would fan them into a raging inferno that would bend to his will. Regardless of how exciting the idea of testing the flames was, Celeste's threat to his life could not be ignored.

She flinched from the venom in his tone, real hurt flashing across her features before it was buried behind tightly pressed lips and narrowed eyes. She looked away, back straight and arms crossed beneath her breasts. Raine stood and took a moment to shake his limbs, discarding as best he could the physical memory of having his skin and muscles burned away.

His hands landed on her shoulders, forcing her to meet his gaze. His voice was softer, yet still filled her ears like iron scraping steel, “Do you want Damian Tafell to know who we are after how badly we embarrassed him? There isn't a place on Earth that can save you, or me, from the Phoenix Clan. We have to remain anonymous until we're strong enough to face them. Do you understand?”

“I get it!” She snapped, “Sorry for worrying about you. It won't happen again.”

Raine could see she felt terrible about the slip, which was enough for him. He released her, one hand coming to his chest, “How could you say that about your dear, sweet master who's nothing but kind, caring, and compassionate toward his lead disciple? Truly, you break my heart with your every word,” Raine hung his head, turning from Celeste toward the beckoning treasure chests. He stopped, glancing back with his mouth in the shape of an o, “You know what would make me feel better? A million credits! Yes, that's exactly what I need to mend this grievous wound in my heart.”

Celeste's nostrils flared adorably, “Dream on, bastard! I don't care if you beat me to death; you're never getting another credit out of me!”

“That's the spirit!” Raine chuckled darkly, eyes alight with mischief. “Can't wait to start our workout after this.” Celeste clamped her jaw shut until her jowls quivered, refusing to dig herself a deeper hole by rising to his bait. For a few short moments, Raine soaked up her fury, resentment, and the obvious affection she was still failing to hide. Then, he resumed the march to his most important task. There was less than five minutes before the raid kicked them out.

The two Marvelous Gold chests opened without issues. A soft touch started their eight-second loading bars. The lids popped open and a bright yellow glow blossomed inside the tunnel. Raine was quick to snatch up the items in each—a full complement of equipment and potions. The last chest—shimmering gold with bolts of dark lightning snaking its surface—had a large, complex lock affixed between its lid and trunk.

Luckily, Raine had just the thing to claim its riches. He withdrew the item, its coloration perfectly matching the sparkling chest.

[Chaotic Gold Key: Opens a Chaotic Gold chest]

It fit the lock with a satisfying click. The lid popped to once more expose the dark walls with tantalizing illumination. Another five priceless items found their way into the bottomless hole of Raine inventory. With a giggle that did nothing to hide the madness in his eyes, Raine spun toward the group, feet practically skipping across the ground.

“That good?” Celeste dared to ask, curiosity overwhelming caution.

Raine nodded happily, “Oh, yeah. Definitely that good. I'll link them once we're back with the group.” He picked up the pace, and she was right behind him.

The others were mostly recovered by the time they returned. Talerra was still unconscious, which was no surprise considering how bad the backlash of a dying summon was. Usually, multiple people participated in the use of summoning items to split said recoil. There was a fundamental difference between summoning and charming—what Raine did to Rocky. Charming skills allowed the monster to mostly retain control of itself, requiring simple mental prods to enact the caster's will. When the monster died, the charmer barely felt anything since little of their actual thoughts were tied up inside it.

On the other hand, a summon created a being devoid of sentience, requiring the caster to implant most of their mind into its body. It was a disorienting process, requiring significant practice to master. Worse, summons did not enjoy ZionLine's sixty percent pain dampening. What Talerra went through in that boss fight was no less extreme than Raine facing the soul-drenched flames. He warned her beforehand how bad it would be but she insisted on doing it alone. Hopefully, it would all seem like a terrible dream when she woke up.

Raine gathered their attention with a clap. He opened a trade with each person, ensuring they had Return Stones. “First of all, don't use those tokens yet. Their rewards scale; they'll be much more valuable after level fifty. We'll be kicked out of the raid momentarily. You should see a counter in your HUDs. Always. And I mean always, expect an ambush the moment you leave a raid. Don't hesitate once we're out. Even if you don't see anyone, immediately use your Return Stones. On your feet! Dying now means losing everything we gained here! Don't let them take it away without the fight of their lives!”

It was clear the boss had exhausted them. Raine's goading managed to pull them to their feet. Mel and Fizgore released pitiful battlecries, while Rhino—prone and making dirt angels in the soil—didn't even stand up.

TwistedReligion alone showed genuine concern, not at all excited for another death, “An ambush? How does anyone know where we are.” His eyes widened in sudden realization, neck spinning to look at Talerra. “They betrayed us?! Wait, they used these same items to leave from inside; can't we do that, too?”

Raine shook his head in the negative, “That was before the raid started. Once it does, there's only two ways out: dying and the timer. It's not them I'm worried about. You saw the difficulty increase messages on both bosses, right? Someone knows we're here, and they aren't our friends, regardless of how many extra goodies we got because of them. Speaking of goodies.” Knowing what would motivate them, Raine linked several of the drops from both the boss and chests, starting with some of the best.

[Visidious Silkworm Gloves (Cloth - Hands): (Chaotic Gold - LVL 25 (Elemental Power +110) (Celestial Power +110) (DEF +25) (FNS +41) (PHY +41) (CNC +109) (Durability 200/200)]

[Blessed Epaulets (Cloth - Shoulder): (Chaotic Gold - LVL 25) (Health +250) (Celestial Power +150) (DEF +35) (PTC +26) (FNS +26) (ACU +26) (PHY +26) (CNC +80) (Durability 200/200)]

[Ruinous Cuisses (Plate - Legs): (Chaotic Gold - LVL 25) (Health +250) (DEF +105) (Discipline +180) (PTC +140) (PHY +140) (Durability 275/275)]

Mel got the gloves, and Richtor the epaulets. Raine took the cuisses for himself, equipping them immediately. Typically, Chaotic Gold gear boosted three separate attributes; considering how huge the bonuses to Potency and Physique were, Raine wasn’t complaining.

Now, he had three attributes over five hundred. The raw power and speed he could display were astonishing for his level. The rate he was closing in on his past attributes was astounding. Energy zinged through his limbs and core. Finally, he felt at home in his avatar. No longer would he be restrained by attributes too low to exhibit the combat standards he'd trained for a lifetime.

Raine was less inclined to don the rest of the dropped gear despite them being for slots he desperately needed to upgrade.

[Dark Plate of The Infernal Haskaahl (Plate - Chest): (Marvelous Gold - LVL 25) (Health +300) (Defense +60) (Demonic Power +55) (PTC +50) (PHY +50) (Durability 250/250) (Flame Resistance -15) (Innate Passive - Extreme Immolation: The fierce blaze permeating this chest plate inflicts agony equivalent to 20% Demonic Power to all those nearby)]

[Horns of The Infernal Haskaahl (Plate - Head): (Marvelous Gold - LVL 25) (Demonic Power +55) (Defense +51) (Health +156) (PTC +62) (ACU +62) (Durability 250/250) (Flame Resistance -15) (Innate Passive - Extreme Immolation: The fierce blaze permeating this helm inflicts agony equivalent to 20% Demonic Power to all those nearby)]

The innate passive certainly included the wearer in the damage. The fact they reduced Flame Resistance while boosting Demonic Power was the real kicker. If Raine wore both, the damage released by the flames would be intense, and he would be the one getting the worst of it.

“Shouldn't those be part of a set or something?” Kevinsbakon asked, interested despite the drawbacks.

“No. This is a unique raid; how would anyone ever complete the set? If this were a normal raid, they definitely would be.”

[Hatchet of Vile Pestilence (1H Axe): (Marvelous Gold - LVL 25) (Attack Power +105) (PTC +45) (ACU +30) (PHY +45) (Durability 250/250) (Innate Passive - Pestilence: Enemies cut by this axe will suffer 80% physical damage over 15 seconds)]

[Bulwark of Reapers Revenge (Shield): (Chaotic Gold - LVL 25) (Defense +125) (Health +250) (PTC +80) (ACU +80) (PHY +80) (Durability 275/275) (Innate Skill - Decree and Punishment: Absorb 25% of physical, celestial, and demonic damage and force - up to a maximum of 1000% wielder's Defense. Absorbed damage and force may be released at will. Additionally, kills will absorb the souls of those slain, instantly charging Decree and Punishment by 200%)]

As ZionLine saw it, the soul was what allowed players to revive. Any damage to the soul before or after death would result in significantly harsher respawn penalties. In the past, items or players that attacked the soul were hunted with extreme prejudice, as the players they killed sometimes were unable to respawn for weeks or even months.

Raine traded out the axe and shield in his roulette, looking forward to the day they appeared. Though not as much as he anticipated using his soul flame to pay his respects to CronGate. Unfortunately, there were no other weapons that were an upgrade for him. The last two would go to the group, along with the first special drop.

[Angel Piercer (Crossbow): (Lustrous Blue - LVL 25) (Ranged Attack Power +117) (FIN +45) (ACU +45) (Durability 250/250)]

[Underworld Kris (Dagger): (Lustrous Blue - LVL 25) (Attack Power +85) (Attack Speed +1) (FIN +39) (ACU +39) (Durability 250/250)]

[Coin of Duality: (Marvelous Gold) Grants the Aspect of Ruination (healer restricted passive)]

Raine created specified loot tables for both, giving only those who could use each a chance to win them. Deloralicious won the dagger, and Milkdud the crossbow. They immediately equipped the weapons and drew them, marveling at their fine craftsmanship and deadly appearance. Richtor beat out Mel’s 5 with a 97 that had both groups chuckling.

Tears streamed down Richtor’s cheeks after he activated the coin. After taking Raine’s advice and not picking an aspect in the tutorial, then being interrupted in his search for one by DyingNight, the emotional outburst was understandable. He quickly linked the effect in the raid chat, a questioning look directed at Raine.

[Aspect of Ruination: Turn every other beneficial effect into a malediction]

“Malediction usually means Damage-Over-Time effect. Congratulations, you just became a combat healer! A nasty one, too. Heals hit much harder than damaging spells.” Raine’s clapping had the others joining in, much to Richtor’s embarrassment.

There was no need to share the remaining items, so Raine kept them to himself. All told, there were twenty-three drops. The remaining thirteen were potions, powders, crafting materials, and miscellaneous items, of which a few caught his eye.

[Summoning Scroll (Restless Infernal): (Marvelous Gold - LVL variable) Summons a Restless Infernal to fight under your command for 2 hours]

[Scroll of Hellfire: (Marvelous Gold - LVL variable) Unleash upon the insignificant a Hellfire equivalent to the user’s level in a 20 meter true sphere AOE]

[Devil's Bone Javelin: (Marvelous Gold - LVL 25) This deadly thrown projectile seeks out the heart of its prey guaranteeing a critical hit that additionally releases 4 poisons and 2 minor demonic curses guaranteeing death to all but the most stalwart defender]

[Powder of Vicissitude: (Marvelous Gold) Sprinkle on a foe or add to any consumable dish to curse the imbiber with excruciating pain. Deals 11.6 million damage over 2 years (666 damage per hour) (Lesser Curse)]

[Powder of Demonic Cleansing: (Marvelous Gold) Cleanse two lesser, or one greater demonic curse]

[Curse: Negative affliction that cannot be removed without special means]

The last item was easily the best after the soul flame.

[Demonic Blast Powder: (Design Schematic - Master) Alchemical powder used as a fuel source for demonic engines. This schematic contains the requisite knowledge to craft basic, intermediate, and advanced Demonic Blast Powders]

Looks like it's finally time to start crafting. Loading this into the Gromglenn Boomsticks is going to be… fun. Yeah, let's go with fun.

Raine bent his knees as the ejection timer neared zero. He again briefly considered equipping the chest plate and helmet but decided against it, remembering how small the entrance platform was. He would end up doing more damage to his allies than any potential enemies laying in wait.

He pulled on the ember of flame in his gut and luxuriated in the golden fires that soothingly wrapped around his hands. Whatever entity messed with his raid should have no way to know when, or even if he would appear. But Raine knew, and he was more than ready to face them. The timer hit zero and soft light enveloped the party. They vanished, the invasion heart destabilizing behind them.