Soul Knight - Chapter 33 (Patreon)

Nick woke up with his two girls in his arms. The two stirred at almost the same moment, and Nick gave his wife a kiss first, as Kaya stretched on his other side.

Eirwen moaned as she stretched. “Mmm… Did you two have fun? How did it go?”

Nick chuckled. “This one here says she loves animals, but it feels like she just loves them in her belly. We didn’t even have time to go to the bowling alley at all.”

Kaya groaned. “You should’ve told me! I’d have…relented. The motorcycle ride was really fun.”

Nick snorted and then kissed her, giving her a proper good morning. “It was fun, and I don’t regret eating the super deer. Maybe next time we do the eating first, so this one can focus.”

Eirwen giggled. “Aw, that’s too bad. I bet she’d have loved the bowling, and dancing to your music.” She yawned.

Kaya sat up and looked over at Eirwen with a bit of concern, “Was it too hard? That was a big dream space.”

“It was tough, but my Soul attribute is rising with each level. I can almost manage a date of twice the length of the original. When we reach the second stratum, I should be able to do just about anything! But if we win back Havendale, there’ll be lots of other opportunities in the real world anyway.”

Nick hugged his sheep girl tighter, kissing her on the lips again. “Thanks for that, Winny. You’re awesome.”

There was a knock at the door, causing Nick to stiffen in response. Kaya looked unworried, and Eirwen giggled. “Come in!”

The three wolfling girls were pushing a cart, containing breakfast. It appeared the lady at the inn must have helped them because there was a lot more than just giant boar bacon–as far as Nick knew, they really only knew how to grill meat.

There were pancakes with syrup, cut fruit, omelettes and orange juice.

Nick smiled at the spread, then looked to the three wolfling girls. “Hell yeah, this is the breakfast of champions. Did the innkeeper help you?”

The three happily barked and yipped as they gestured at the different items, and Nick got the impression that they actually managed everything with the innkeeper’s guidance. He had a hard time imagining their paws holding knives with any dexterity, but he supposed that if there was a will, there was a way.

“Damn, that’s a good job, girls. Breakfast in bed? I could get used to this.”

The wolfling girls all beamed, and Nick, Kaya and Eirwen all gave them each happy scratches and head pats before they all dug in.

They ate for a time, then started getting ready for battle. He would have just enough time for his food to digest before he faced Lothar, and get warmed up for their fight.

Nick was provided some leather armor that covered his chest, bracers and large greaves that covered all the way up to his knees, with a padded gambeson and leggings underneath. His leather helmet was like a padded skull cap, and Nick understood that Lothar’s equipment would be quite similar, so neither held an advantage in equipment.

Only Nick had his soul blade, and Lothar had a giant axe.

Nick took one last look at his stats.

[Name: Nicholas Noblefrost]
[Race: Archaen]
[Level: 8 Class: Soul Knight, Epic Class]
[Attributes: 12.12 Body, 14.39 Soul]
[Skills: Expert Archaen Swordsmanship, Intermediate Soul Magic, Expert Body Enhancement]
[Spells: Soul Mending, Judgment, Raise Soul Servant, Remove Affliction, Frost Aura, Frost Shock, Power Strike, Double Jump, Harden Skin]
[Traits: Soul Bound, Advanced Soul Sense, Mana Resistant, Will of Frost, Soul Blade Efficiency, Soul Blade Connection, Monstrous Blow, Monstrous Body]

Nick was now more than twice as powerful as he was when he first awoke in the crypt by every measure. His soul had grown significantly, and he could most likely power a much more powerful Soul Servant soon, thanks to his growth.

He knew Eirwen had grown even more than he had.

[Name: Eirwen Noblefrost]
[Race: Archaen Sheep Beastfolk]
[Level: 7]
[Class: Archaen Ordeal Supporter, Rare Class]
[Attributes: 5.97 Body, 9.75 Soul]
[Skills: Novice Crossbow, Intermediate Dreamweaving, Beginner Soul Magic, Novice Shamanic Magic]
[Spells: Loot, Reinvigorate, First Aid, Quick Load, Equipment Maintenance, Omni Barrier]
[Traits: Soul Bound, Advanced Soul Sense, Mana Resistant(Lesser), Dreamweaver, Enhanced Body(Sensory), Carry Weight Up, Detect Safe Area, Map, Threat Down]

At level five, Eirwen had gotten a spell choice. She could either get an enhanced crossbow shot, which would add soul damage–something effective against nearly all targets, or Omni Barrier.

The Omni Barrier covered people in a strange transparent bubble, or thin aura, that took damage and blocked attacks. From what they had tested, it could block anything resembling an attack such as the shamanic curses, and not just one.

It was hard to get a feel for how many attacks it could block before dissipating, but she chose it due to its combination with Soul Pact Connection. It could block even a powerful attack from Nick’s Soul Blade, and elemental spells from the shamans as well.

She could now help Nick from anywhere, if she sensed he was in danger.

Eirwen could only cast it twice or so during combat, taking nearly a third of her mana and both body and soul essence currently. If she wanted to have any remaining mana to cast Reinvigorate or her new shamanic magic, she wouldn’t want to cast it more than that.

Still, she was extremely happy with the ability, as she could affect the outcome of a fight much more dramatically by using it. It was nearly an instant cast, and could use it from the distance she typically shot her crossbow.

Then, her body had increased in strength and speed, her ability to run or take blows significant. Thanks to her receiving 0.5 body and 1.0 soul per level, she was now just a little weaker than a human warrior that received a common or uncommon class. Her strength didn’t rise as rapidly as the other base attributes within body, but her superior rating made it not that far behind.

Nick was noticing a lot of that strength seemed to go to her legs. A kick from her hooves while wearing that heavy pack was devastating. He wondered if he could find her a spell that would amplify this.

He warmed up outside the inn away from the central plaza, getting a feel for his new moves. Kaya helped him with practice weapons, as he did his best to get just a little better with double jump.

Now that he seemed to unlock his racial trait, it appeared like his advantage was more pronounced. It took him a few minutes to get used to, but his creation of the essence foothold in double jump was becoming a lot easier–for him not to fall when he messed up.

It was like when his foot touched the platform, he was better able to react to the failure, and push off–albeit awkwardly–the construct in a way that didn’t have him falling flat on his face.

Kaya laughed. “It’s still more like one-and-a-half jump, huh? But you’re getting better!”

Smirking from a distance away, she then activated Leap. She glowed red as she crouched for a brief moment, before launching with a spin, slashing with her axes. Nick barely managed to roll under her as she growled and transformed, continuing their warm-ups.

Nick tested his white blade, happy to find he could power it for individual swings without issue. It was certainly something to use strategically, and not just run with at maximum output at all times.

In his sparing, he had gotten his monstrous blow to happen more than once. To his surprise, he could feel when it was about to happen, just as he was about to swing. The essence would swell his muscles involved in the attack, and his blade would move with an increased strength that surprised him.

It was like a weakened version of Power Strike, but Nick was quite happy with the idea that it used essence that wasn’t even his. Over the course of a minute or two, he had gotten it to trigger more than once.

Nick walked around the town, making sure to try to cover most of the locations with his Advanced Soul Sense. The bandits or the rogues of Zura could be present, and he wanted to make sure that he caught any. It had been quiet the past week, but he had done this check more than once.

It appeared many of the female orcs had a class called Scout, with a skill called [Overwatch]. In the watch towers set throughout the city, they received special bonuses, and they would have a decent detection radius for anyone using a skill like Sneak.

Of course, the detection wasn’t perfect. But Lothar had invested significantly long before the Conflict with the people of Zura, and it would not be easy for the enemy to take his people completely unawares. Unfortunately, the mercenaries and the Test distraction were just too much for them to manage.

Nick’s task completed, he came to the central plaza, outside of Lothar’s house. The man was ready and waiting for him, and the many people of Nagduros were there to witness the duel. Aside from the scouts in their watch towers, everyone was present.

The warriors were prepared for combat, knowing it wouldn’t be long before they left for assaulting Zura if Nick won. The many people of Nagduros had some idea of what was happening, but they didn’t have the full picture.

Nick’s entourage arrived, the many woflings now sporting armor from the apes, and much better spears. A few used shields now, the creatures learning from their fighting with the orcs. Nick looked over his wolfling legionnaires with a bit of pride.

They were no longer barely over a meter tall, having grown to be just a head shorter than Kaya–around a meter and a half tall. The wolf people were now a formidable force, no longer pushovers that would be slain easily in combat.

Kaya and Eirwen stood back with his soul servants, as Nick stood across from Lothar and Agatha.

Lothar grunted as he shouldered his axe. “I’m glad you’re here. I still don’t understand for sure how you intend to do this. If you duel me for ownership of Nagduros, my orcs will still be orcs of Nagduros as you become their leader. The Bishop will still be able to punish his hostages for our actions.”

Nick nodded. “I won’t be dueling you for ownership of Nagduros. I will dueling you for you and your people to become my Followers. You will continue to run Nagduros.”

He turned to face the crowd, who stood around the staked fence. His soul and eyes lit up a bright white, the audience able to both see and feel his power.

“Orcs of Nagduros, I, Nicholas Noblefrost, offer you a Soul Pact. Become my Followers if I defeat your Chief Lothar in an honorable duel, and I will do everything in my power to save the children and remaining captured people of Nagduros. If I fail to rescue the children, our Pact will be null and void. If I succeed, you will remain my Followers, where I will lead your people with honor, and uphold your customs. I will do this so long as you adhere to Archaen Law, and keep the secret of my race.”

Nick’s pact was worded somewhat loosely, such as the words, everything in his power. But those feeling his magic and words wash over them would have an understanding of what that actually meant. Nick would fight hard and risk his own life to save the children as a hero should, and he would act intelligently with his resources to try to safely rescue them.

Lothar’s eyebrows rose to his hairline, shock evident in his expression. “I see. You would have them join your kingdom–you are fallen nobility? With this, my people would be under you, including me. I would still be the governor of Nagduros, unless you rescinded this from me.”

Nick nodded, and Agatha and Lothar traded looks, the two seemingly having a conversation with nothing but the look in their eyes and subtle changes in their expressions. Agatha gave him a shallow nod.

Lothar strode forward, addressing the crowd. “My people, we have fought together to come to new lands, and conquer this unclaimed Ordeal. We built our village and grew this Tribe for several years since I claimed Nagduros as my own, and we have fought numerous honorable battles and raids together. But the leaders of Zura fight with deception and wickedness, using dishonorable methods that leave us with no means to carry out honorable battle–without losing what we love, what we have fought hard to build–our futures.”

He continued, “But Prince Noblefrost gives us a path, to both find honorable victory, but have a chance at freeing our people. Those that accept his Pact will no longer be orcs of Nagduros–but neither will those that refuse. Anyone who rejects the honorable pact will be rejected, cast away from Nagduros! As Chief of Nagduros, I ask that you accept this pact, and join Prince Noblefrost on the field of honorable battle, should he defeat me!”

The many orcs applauded and cheered, the warriors beating the hafts of their polearm weapons on the ground repeatedly. Lothar’s orcs were all ready for battle, and would gladly die so long as it was an honorable one.

The pact was accepted as a wave of white covered all the orcs, the tribe seeking justice against the dishonorable people of Zura.

Lothar looked satisfied as all his people accepted the pact. He nodded. “Good! Now, let us see if you have what it takes to defeat me. The truth is, the Bishop of Zura is no weakling–his power is different, but he is more than strong enough to be an obstacle. If you cannot win against me, he may be impossible for you to overcome.”

The two stood across from each other in the open plaza, ready for battle. The field was wide open, with the many orcs standing behind the staked fence to witness the battle.

Nick drew his soul blade, and Lothar stirred his essence. The match began, and Nick activated his Frost Aura as he dashed in. The ice had begun climbing up Lothar’s legs and hands, but his red energy covered it and removed it.

Nick was somewhat shocked as the two traded blows that his aura was countered so easily. But Lothar had already told him about this.

It was what Lothar and the orcs would use against the human’s disarming prayers. Many orcs invested in learning and cultivating something called an Ideal. Lothar taught Nick a little about this, but the idea was supposed to be that they would cultivate an Ideal, and upgrade it into something else later, much more personal, called a Concept.

An Ideal was like a creed or principle, a set of beliefs one followed. It was at the core of their being, and it was something that with enough effort and building of it, it was a real, tangible thing created by their will and essence.

Often, these Ideals would be something based on a powerful Concept or something even above that, a sort of fragment of it achieved by a much more powerful entity. They could also be created on one’s own, and Nick even learned of something called a bottled Concept.

The humans of Zura were similar, yet different. The difference was that they had a direct connection to this entity who created their Concepts–Seraphara, in their case. It was as if she shared her Concepts with those that had faith in her, and this had both advantages and disadvantages for her people.

Lothar and his orcs of Nagduros cultivated an Ideal called the Heart of the Warrior, a sort of mantra or set of tenets for what their belief of what an honorable warrior should be. By having conviction in those beliefs and exemplifying this Ideal in their thoughts and actions, it was as if over time, they would become a personification of it.

A warrior’s heart should be unwavering, his body a temple unmoved by outside influence. Lothar built his body, his temple, through combat and exercise, tearing his body down by taking wounds to his flesh, and building it back up again with hard work and determination.

Nick and Lothar continued their trades of attacks, Nick leaping, spinning and slashing with both power and speed. Lothar kept his movements minimal, but lashed out with powerful blows that were difficult to parry or block, and recover quickly from.

Both were utilizing their power in body enhancement, their essence strengthening their blows. Nick’s chains of body essence wrapped around his body, the mana being used for enhancing his body’s strength and speed.

Nick had outright dodged more than one swing of the larger, slower axe. He deftly countered with a slash or stab that would have pierced his enemy’s flesh with his white blade, but Lothar triggered a defensive skill called [Jab].

Jab was a strange, fast punch of his fist with a low amount of power behind it, and its entire purpose was to disturb the attacker’s momentum and allow Lothar to recover from his overextension.

It appeared the essence would enhance the punch’s ability to knock targets away, despite Lothar’s power and momentum already behind the swing of his axe.

It was perfect for dealing with speedy attackers like Nick, and likely powerful when fighting multiple opponents–like the monkeys they had recently faced.

But Nick now knew what to look for. They continued their attacks, Nick primarily on the assault due to his superior speed. He lunged and stabbed, rolled and twisted as he slashed at Lothar’s extremities. He was probing for an opening, and Lothar was giving none.

As strong as Nick had become, it seemed Lothar still had an edge in physical strength. Nick imagined that Lothar’s race had a high strength base attribute that was being enhanced by his powerful essence, but his class of Warrior Chieftain likely had passives that increased it even further.

Nick continued probing until Monstrous Blow triggered, Nick’s body bulking slightly. Lothar’s intended block with his axe was knocked away high, and Nick shuffled his feet forward, pushing his assault. Nick stirred his essence, producing his white blade as he was about to swing.

Lothar triggered Jab, his fist coming straight for Nick’s chest. But Nick twisted backwards as the speedy fist went over his head. Normally, this posture would be terrible for landing a blow with significant power, but Nick’s body was different. Lothar’s missed punch reached to join his other on his axe, where he would bring down his counter powerfully.

But Nick’s body twisted, his flexible muscles contorting along his back and shifting as his hips twisted. His wide swing was powerful as he jumped to the side from the odd posture. Nick’s attack cut sharply into Lothar’s leg, and he retreated before Lothar could bring down his attack.

The axe crashed into the ground where Nick just was, blood spurting from Lothar’s calf. Nick pushed his Frost Aura, and ice began spreading through his wound. Nick had done it–he had created a crack in Lothar’s temple.

Lothar grunted as his leg buckled somewhat, essence surrounding the wound. Normally, Nick wagered Lothar had some sort of ability to heal minor wounds in exchange for essence, but fighting off Nick’s invading frost was challenging on its own.

Nick went in on the attack again, but Lothar’s axe was swung from the ground filled with even more body essence and knocking Nick backward. Lothar’s body began bulking up, as red essence began billowing off the green orc like a steam or smoke.

“Not bad, young one. At the heart of an orc warrior is a desire to fight with honor. But the essence of an orc is to crush the enemy with insurmountable strength. You’ll have to forgive me–if I win here, you likely won’t live.”

Nick wasn’t idle–he built up his own body enhancement, more chains wrapping around his body, increasing his strength and speed. But he was still shocked when Lothar took a large step toward him, and swung down his axe rapidly.

Despite Nick’s advanced reflexes, he was barely able to move and twist his body and parry the blow to where it didn’t cleave him in half. Lothar’s attacks then flowed one into the other, and Nick was on the back foot, dodging and twisting as one powerful blow after another rained down upon him.

Nick then used Power Strike, his muscles being filled with power. But Lothar used Slash, his axe coming around with a wide swing containing devastating energy. Nick’s blade met Lothar’s axe, sending a loud clattering sound through the arena as Nick was sent flying back.

The red wave of energy sent by Lothar’s axe would have cut deeply into Nick, but he used his [Harden Skin] ability. This covered his flesh with the blue energy and reduced the cuts to be paper thin and barely causing him to bleed.

Lothar laughed, his expression feral. “Harden Skin? Good! The Ordeal gave you a very orc-like ability. But it won’t save you from my axe!”

Lothar’s approach was fast, the energy within him making him much stronger and faster than before.

Nick did his best to retreat and even lashed out with his white blade with a counter cutting into Lothar’s other leg, but he just ignored the wound and continued his furious assault. Nick’s energy felt weaker and sluggish as he dodged, and after a moment, Nick realized what was happening.

He had focused on retreating, but that was not what his body wanted him to do. The monster in him wanted to overcome and dominate the orc–as impossible as that felt. Lothar’s superior strength was tough to deal with, but Nick was getting used to his speed, and would be better able to deal with it if he went on the offensive–as his body would cooperate with him.

The air around Nick changed as he made this decision, like a feral animal being released from its cage. Shouting, Nick pushed his body enhancement even further, and added his soul essence chains to his body.

Nick’s speed improved, and his muscles brimmed with power as he went on the offensive instead. His blade stabbed toward Lothar’s heart, which the orc blocked with his haft, but Nick’s own jab whipped up and struck Lothar hard in the chin, staggering him.

Lothar’s counter swung down powerfully, but Nick’s body twisted to duck under the diagonal swing. As Nick spun, his kick followed his momentum and struck Lothar in the temple. Lothar staggered as Nick leapt with a spin, and his blade was swung toward Lothar’s neck, forcing him to block with his weapon once more.

Nick did not come out of each attack unscathed. When Lothar swung his axe, the near-misses had his red energy cutting into Nick’s armor, and some even cut into his flesh.

Nick’s flexible body started to show its true power. His limbs were capable of snapping like a whip even while holding his blade, allowing him to attack with significant speed, reach, and power from odd angles.

He continued his assault, his blade of light beginning to whip and snake around Lothar’s guard, shallow cuts adding up along Lothar’s body. None of the cuts were overly deep, but the frost began spreading from Lothar’s new wounds as well, the orc slowing down as Nick only sped up.

The orc managed to protect being pierced in the heart or losing a limb as he countered with his Jab or toughening his skin, but now, Lothar was the one on the defensive as Nick picked him apart. Nick’s attacks weren’t decisive, but Lothar’s counters hit nothing but air or were parried as Nick’s body twisted.

Nick’s attacks flowed with strength and speed, his assault relentless. The ice continued to spread along Lothar’s limbs, causing his eyes to narrow.

Lothar shouted, a wave of red energy knocking Nick back a few meters away from him. The orc spread his legs wide, and he held the axe to its side horizontally.

Essence gathered in the axe, an ominous attack building that Nick could both see and feel. Nick wished he could create an Essence Burst in counter, but he knew he simply didn’t have enough in his core on his own, even if he was full.

Nick gathered his own essence, pooling much of it into his legs and his blade as he too lowered himself to the ground. Essence chains grew up his blade through his hand, and his blade grew longer, closer to that of a greatsword as he held it with both hands.

Lothar’s swing was nearly instant, but Nick managed to leap into the air powerfully just in time. The wave of destructive energy passed just under him, as he sailed into the air toward Lothar.

But Lothar spun and brought the next swing around, with plenty of essence remaining in his muscles to make a terrifying blow with his large axe. The axe held almost like a baseball bat was set to cleave Nick in two at his midsection, but Nick didn’t block.

He jumped.

Essence gathered under his feet, the footholds being created with frightening speed as he used Double Jump. He jumped forward with a spin much like a cartwheel, his elongated sword swung in time at Lothar’s wrists as his axe passed where Nick was, Nick’s body upside-down with his head just above Lothar’s axe.

Nick’s white blade flashed as it cut off the orc’s hands, sending the axe tumbling into the air as Nick landed in front of Lothar, bringing his sword up to his throat.

Warring emotions went through Lothar’s expression, a series of shifts that Nick could tell this outcome was not so simple that he wanted to lose. His eyes widened in surprise, before his skin darkened with his eyes narrowing in anger, before slackening into what looked like regret.

His pride as a warrior was harmed by his loss, and it wasn’t insignificant–it was a part of his Heart of a Warrior, his Ideal.

Lothar took a deep breath, before sighing in relief, a small smile touching his features. “I surrender. It’s your victory, Nicholas. Your strength and honor make you our leader, the orcs of Nagduros and I are now your Followers.”

The entire crowd, Agatha and Lothar were covered in a wave of white, and Nick stumbled to his knees as his pact washed over them, and essence entered him as a reward from the Orion System. It was a massive amount, receiving more than one notification as a result of his victory.

He had formed a pact with thirty wolflings and it was no problem, but over a hundred orcs appeared to be pushing his limits for how many followers he could handle. Nick figured that made sense, as it was like he was a living and breathing bind stone.

Agatha ran in, along with Eirwen and several other shamans Nick knew were involved with healing. They worked on re-attaching Lothar’s hands, and removing the frost from his body.

Becoming Nick’s follower, the frost had already stopped spreading, though Nick was quick to cancel his aura the moment the words I surrender came out of Lothar’s mouth.

Eirwen was quick to use Revitalize on Nick, and begin her healing cantrips. Yellow light washed over Nick, the shamanic magic repairing some lost flesh. From what Nick understood, significant wounds where flesh and blood must be replaced would restore it quickly.

However, it was like it was empty–lacking of essence.

For Lothar, it was like that section of his wrists would be level one again, needing to be restored over time until it reached his current level. Better healers could give him a good head start, but there was a limit–that essence was not his.

It took time for a person’s flesh to be restored. Lothar should be at effectively full power within a day or so, with it only being his wrists that were damaged significantly.

[Trial of Leadership Update: You have won over the orcs of Nagduros as your Followers, by defeating a warrior in the second stratum. Reward for Trial Closure has been increased.]

Nick imagined that second prompt was indicating that the Trial was going to reward him with a powerful trait, or at least a more powerful one, for winning over Lothar and his orcs.

The orcs had all received prompts for their Oath, but they eventually clapped and cheered at the results. Their faction within their status screens would now say they were of the Noblefrost Kingdom, and so they knew that they could join Nick on his assault on Zura.

[Milestone Achievement Reached - 100 Followers]
[Passive Trait Earned: Encouraging Voice]
[When Pacters hear your battle cry, essence and mana in the area converge on them to empower them briefly. Has a cooldown period before Pacters can be affected again.]

Nick frowned at the ability. He would have to go out of his way to shout now?

Eirwen beamed at him, the wolfling girls arriving behind her with their tails wagging and happy canine smiles.

“You did it, hubby. That was close, but you were so strong–like a hero. Beating someone in the second stratum is no small feat! Not only that, but an owner of an Ordeal. They get bonuses for their class!”

Kaya approached, a wide smile on her face. “One down, two to go, huh? What’s with that face, Nick?”

Nick shared the ability with Eirwen and Kaya.

Kaya snorted. “What, now you benefit from shouting? When fighting with others.” She smirked, her voice teasing, “Maybe you can sing, like a bard? Let’s hear your encouraging voice.”

Lothar’s axe was held by Agatha, but the two approached Nick as Lothar rubbed his wrists, his hands clinching as he tested them.

“Your warriors and their support are ready for battle, Nicholas. Let us make our final plans.”

It was an epic duel, but their battle had only just begun.