Soul Knight - Chapter 8 (Patreon)

Nick snorted. “Tests within other Tests? But this one’s optional, huh?”

Kaya walked near the entrance, receiving a prompt that she shared with Nick and Eirwen.

[First Floor Optional Solo Test of Fortitude and Resilience: Pain is a valuable signal of danger, but it can be a weakness. It requires courage to withstand pain, to continue when there appears to be no end. Through this cavern, no harm can come to you, but pain and weakness will make this no easy Test. Show your bravery and reach the end of the cavern, thinking only “Retreat” to escape the pain. Losing consciousness will cause a forced retreat. Only those with unwavering will, can overcome this Test.]

Eirwen said, “I have the book of Ordeals in my bag. Let me take a look and see what it says about these Optional Tests, after we set up camp.”

Eirwen placed her bag down, retrieving several pieces of what looked like wood from her bag. These were odd to Nick, having strange carvings on them. She flicked two pieces of stone together, and the blue logs lit aflame.

Nick asked, “What’s that?”

It was Kaya that responded, “That’s our unending fireplace. It draws in essence from the Ordeal, to fuel the flames. It was my mother’s.”

Nick sat on an oversized rock that appeared to be for that purpose, next to the circle that contained the campfire. Eirwen sat down and opened her bag, up against the cavern wall. Kaya picked a similar rock closer to her.

His soul servants laid near the entrance, guarding it, even though the location was supposed to be safe. He didn’t feel cold or all that tired, the trek through the snow only taking them nearly three hours.

Nick supposed that if a high level was forced to fight through this floor, it wouldn’t take that long to reach the next–as long as they had snow shoes.

Eirwen handed him and Kaya some colorful looking berries. “I’ll start cooking in a bit, but snack on some of those for a while. They don’t last long before they go bad.”

Nick could tell Kaya was already more heavily absorbing some of her essence as she began eating, and he started doing the same. He tried to keep from entering a trance as he ate the berries, wanting to know what Eirwen found out about the Test.

She rummaged through her bag, taking things out and putting them back in after she found her book. Oddly, she also grabbed some reading glasses.

Opening up the book, she placed the spectacles over her eyes. As she did, it was like she transformed from a cute sheep girl into a sexy librarian, to Nick. It gave her a look of sophistication he had not known she was capable of, as she flipped through the book to find the section she was looking for.

With a serious look, she pointed at a location on the page. “Found it! Optional Tests. Within the first stratum, most of these are designed to test you. The risk of death is low or non-existent, but often these challenges will push people to their limits. Some can even be taken more than once. Because of the low risk, the challenge is ramped up to provide a larger reward. When entering a Solo Test, you will get a private instance–meaning, many people can enter at once, but they will not see each other.”

Kaya gave Eirwen a playful shove. “It doesn’t say all that, and you didn’t need to read that. You know it all already, and added that part about the instances.”

Eirwen blushed. “I-I just wanted to make sure I remembered it all!”

She continued looking over it, Nick barely paying attention. Something about this girl had stirred something within him, and he’d never wanted a girl more than her. Originally, she had actually seemed a bit young for him. Inexperienced. But somehow, showing this studiousness had made her ten times more appealing to him.

Unaware of Nick’s attraction, she pointed and read again, “It has a reminder here–that Ordeals and Tests are meant to be challenged, the rewards not only provided by the Ordeal, but intrinsically preparing yourself for Orion’s Trials and Tribulations. Ordeals are meant to reveal and improve things about yourself, making you better than you were before you started.”

Nick was unaware of when he stood up, but he was now looming over Eirwen. He placed his hand next to Eirwen on the cavern wall, and leaned in with a smile.

“I want you.”

Eirwen blushed, as Nick’s face was right next to hers. “N-Now? I mean,” she giggled and shoved Nick a little, “you’re so goofy, Nick.”

“Who’s goofy? I’m as serious as a heart attack. I’ve decided!” He stood up abruptly, and his loud proclamation startled both the girls, and stopped Kaya’s growl that was building up in her throat.

Something stirred within him, and Nick wasn’t sure what it was. It felt incomplete, but the words spilled out anyway.

“I’m going to do whatever it takes to convince you to be my wife. I’ll fight any dragon, climb any mountain. I’m going to take on this Test and prove it to you. If that’s not enough to convince you, then I’ll take on the next challenge, wine and dine you, or I’ll better myself and come back. Whatever it takes, I’m going to make you happy, and make you mine.”

Nick froze as he completed his words, just as confused as both girls were. Before either girl could respond, shocked into silence, Nick left and entered the Test.

Kaya looked over to Eirwen with her arms folded and mocked, “N-Now?”

Eirwen blushed, but then shook her head at Kaya with a smile. “Why are you mocking me? You know, I could do much worse than Nick–he’s a prince, after all.”

Kaya scowled. “He’s hardly a prince! And he can’t be trusted. When the going gets tough, he’ll ditch us just the same.”

Eirwen raised her eyebrows at Kaya. “He will be soon, won’t he? And why can’t he be trusted, he seems quite dependable? He might be a little silly, but I think he’s got a good heart. Your bestial instincts say he can’t be trusted?”

Kaya froze, as she thought of what her instincts were telling her–that it was the opposite. But she shook it away, “T-Those instincts can’t be trusted either. I mean because he’s–”

Eirwen chuckled. “So your instincts say he can be trusted then. So why don’t you think he can. Because he’s a man? Not all of them are like those in Havendale, or are bandits, you know. Momma used to trust her instincts just fine, and told you so until she died. I know you’re scared of them, but it’s about time you believed in yourself.”

“I–I just worry about you! Ever since I hurt you, I can’t bear–”

Eirwen huffed. “That was an accident, and it was years ago. You shouldn’t give up on that part of yourself. If momma were here, she wouldn’t let you! Back to the main topic, you may not trust your instincts, but I trust mine. He believed every word he just said,” she blushed, “even the part about the belle of the ball thing.”

Kaya knew that Eirwen was referring to her soul sense. More often than not, she could detect a lie, though it wasn’t perfect. “R-Really? Even the part where he said he’d fight a dragon for you?”

Eirwen chuckled. “He’d try, I know it–I could feel his conviction in his words. And with how good he is with that blade, I bet it won’t take too long before he could win. Against a baby one, anyway. So? Which part of Nick are you dissatisfied with, for me?”

Kaya frowned. “Wasn’t that tirade of his creepy? He made it sound like you were some object to be won over–”

Eirwen blushed, then frowned in thought. “Wasn’t that strange? Y’know, when I was growing up, I always dreamed that I would be like the princesses from those fairy tales. That someone would want me enough that he would do those sorts of things for me, to win me over. I don’t really believe I need that, but do you think he somehow knew I’d like that? I felt something strange, when he was speaking, maybe soul magic?”

Kaya couldn’t help the growl that came out of her throat. She was not happy with where this conversation was going. Eirwen was her sister, and it felt like Nick was taking her away. Kaya had protected Eirwen for half a decade since their mother died, and went through a lot to keep her safe and healthy. But then Nick just swoops in, and suddenly, he’s the hero, solving all of her problems one by one.

She should be happy, but instead, she felt jealous and envious. Suffering several injustices in her life, she had fought hard for everything she had, and just barely protected Eirwen and kept her alive.

Then he just comes walking in, everything coming easily for him. An Epic class, limitless talent with the sword, a powerful heritage including some ridiculous legendary blade, and a healing spell that just so happened to heal her sister’s illness–one that was caused by her failure to control herself.

Healing her sister was supposed to be her burden to carry for her failure, but Nick just waltzed in and fixed her so easily. She should be thankful and relieved, but instead, she felt like her shot at redemption had been stolen away.

Her thoughts became muddled, as she stripped away her leather armor. Eirwen’s questioning voice about what she was doing felt far away, as she used her bestial transformation, turning back into a red panda, which was totally not like a bearcoon at all.

Entering the Test, the pain from the biting cold was immense. It washed over her furred skin, but she felt it couldn’t match the pain in her heart.

***

The pain of biting cold spread over Nick’s skin, causing a burning sensation. He felt weak as he pushed through the caves, his race seemingly unable to counter what was being inflicted on him from the Test.

Thinking back, Nick wasn’t sure what the hell he was thinking–the words he just spewed out of his mouth before running into this Test.

Of course, Nick liked Eirwen–just what was there not to like? She was cute, appeared to be smart, pretty, and despite being ill the last few years, had some sort of inner strength that he respected. Perhaps, it was him being sick from his chemotherapy all that time that allowed him to empathize easily with her.

She even seemed to be welcoming of the crazy idea that he’d have to have several wives, last of his kind or not.

Then, something about putting those glasses on just made her extra sexy to him, and it was like the last straw.

Something stirred within him, and it was like he wanted her to be his. He’d been a little possessive of girls in his last life, but it was nothing like he felt in this one. Something about being an Archaen made him want to play for keeps, and he didn’t just want Eirwen to be his girlfriend; he wanted her to be his wife, forever.

He had skimmed his racial entry before, and there was definitely something about that in there. Mostly ignoring it because he thought it was a game, the words came back to the forefront of his mind.

Nick knew he would be getting the [Soul Contract] spell soon, and in it would be something that could accommodate somehow making her permanently his.

Despite the words he said to Eirwen being something he’d never have said in the past, he had believed them himself. He’d do just about anything he could to make her his now, short of something deplorable to her.

At the same time, he hadn’t thought his words through at all. They were completely one-sided.

Of course, he got the feeling that him and Eirwen were already connecting. He didn’t fail to notice her blush and how, for a brief moment before her mind caught up to his words, she was down for some action.

However, what he saw in Eirwen and hoped for in his future wives was to be partners. Because the burden of rebuilding an entire family line and kingdom was not a burden for one person alone.

Partners were not people that you just won over in some kind of contest, at least not in Nick’s mind. Perhaps that’s the more modern-society way of thinking, though. He knew little about Eirwen and her goals and dreams, and he would need to learn more.

The burning and the numbness caused by the cold were like knives stabbing through his flesh and his veins. Somehow, these pains were eerily similar to the pains from chemotherapy, though even stronger.

He was all too used to this kind of pain and weakness, as he continued to trudge through the cavern. The pain was greater, but he knew that it would go away–unlike his chemotherapy pains, which would persist for hours and days, weeks and months.

As he continued, the pain increased, and he became even weaker. He could barely put one foot in front of the other without falling over, and he knew if he fell, he wouldn’t be able to get back up. His only choice if that happened would be to think about retreat and escape.

Taking his mind off the pain, he thought about Kaya. The girl was remarkable in her own ways, but she was just so… angry. He wasn’t sure what it was about, but he thought he had a decent theory.

She didn’t trust others, and she was selfless when it came to her sister. The talk about what happened when she lost her mother, her words had not hinted that she felt like it was her fault.

But her ears and her tail, the two would usually be animated in just about everything she did. When she talked about that, he couldn’t help but feel they were flat in guilt or shame.

Somehow, she thought her sister getting hurt was her fault, and he remembered her red panda transformation. The girl didn’t trust or believe in herself, so she couldn’t do either for others–only Eirwen.

For Nick, this was the only explanation that worked for him, since she even agreed about Eirwen able to make her own choices.

Rounding another corner, the frost built even further. The burning pain increased, causing him to groan in agony. His mind nearly blanked from his suffering, a wordless scream leaving his mouth.

The thought of retreat entered his mind, the pain so significant. He focused on why he had even entered, to test his mettle and show his courage, to prove both to himself and Eirwen he would, and could, do anything for her.

It wasn’t that long ago that he was weak and suffering. His new life was in front of him, and he was going to live it to the fullest. He grabbed onto the power of his soul, his soul magic, and flooded it through his body.

Through the strength of his will, he weaved the power of his soul through his icy veins, shoving out the invading energies of the Test.

But it was not enough. The frosty energies of the Test continued to bear down on him, continuing their burning sensation against his skin. They were reduced, and power returned to his body. His feet now moved one after the other, an almost jog as he hopefully neared the exit.

He rounded one more corner, and he nearly fell to his knees in despair. A large cavern awaited, and the path was long and winding down to the bottom. If he had to guess, he was only about half way there at best.

The difficulty increased further, and now he was back to the pain and weakness he felt not long after he entered, despite pushing his soul magic.

Nick did the best he could, to feel his soul magic and weave it better throughout his body. Continuing to walk through the cavern and not trip and fall, he was at least happy there was no place to fall into some chasm.

Focused on his task, he put the pain out of his mind. He did the best to push his will into his actions, about his desire to complete the Test. It was challenging him, and Nick was never someone to shy away from a difficult contest.

His soul magic–that is, the soul energy combined with his mana–danced around in his body, and he pushed and shoved it through his extremities. Trying everything he could think of, he had a hard time getting a bigger effect than just willing the energy to flow through his body.

Remembering his cultivation, he tried to visualize the opposite of cultivating, creating a reverse whirlpool. Sending the energy out through his body in a tight spiral, starting from his chest.

The effect was almost immediate, the energy snapping into place as it encompassed his body. He tried the same thing with his body essence, and just a little more strength filled his limbs. Nick was now in an enhanced dash to the finish line now, the end nearing rapidly.

Waves of frost slammed into him, the pain like knives slashing against his skin. His enhancements of the body and soul defenses were pierced, along with the cold bearing down on him even further. He was so close now, he could just taste it.

Nick hadn’t realized he started screaming from the pain and the effort he was exerting, but he kept putting one foot in front of the other as more frost slammed into him. But no thoughts of retreat entered his mind, as he had the single-minded focus on victory.

He had sworn he would face even greater dangers and pain if this one wasn’t good enough for Eirwen, after all, so he could not falter here. The weakness of his last life was now over, Nick was given a body that wouldn’t let him down like his last one. He would struggle in this new life, but Orion would make him stronger for it.

There was a visible, nearly solid wall of frost at the end, and Nick somehow knew it was the end of the Test. Despite the pain it probably represented, he fearlessly walked into it.

Instead of pain, ice covered his body, burrowing down into his very soul. Something shifted within him, as his will itself was baptized in the Test’s enduring frost.

Nick stumbled past the wall of frost, the pain, and the weight leaving him. He now had several notifications from the Orion System to read through, as he stood in front of the cavern exit that lead back to Eirwen and Kaya.

Essence surged into him, some kind of reward for completing the Optional Test. He guessed it was nearly a quarter of what he needed to get to the next level, but he wasn’t sure. He did his best to start absorbing it, as he reviewed his notifications.

[Optional Test Completed! Through power of soul and strength of enduring will, Nicholas Torian was the first to complete this Optional Test in 27 years. Rewards increased! Rewards granted based on how Test was overcome.]

[Passive Ability Earned: Will of Frost]

[+0.5 Body, +1 Soul]

[Your courage and steadfast will were tempered by unyielding cold. Your body and soul are strengthened against debilitating attacks. Spells and abilities meant to impede you are reduced significantly through strength of will alone.]

He looked back at the long cavern he struggled through, with a proud grin. Nick had struggled, sure. But he was now stronger for it; numbers going up proving it.

This world rewarded him for his struggles, when on Earth they almost always just resulted in things becoming worse. He was already starting to enjoy Orion.

His confidence soared, but then his smile faltered. He’d now have to face the Eirwen and Kaya after his ridiculous claim.