Soul Knight - Chapter 44 - The Trial Exit (Patreon)

Nick woke up with Kaya in his arms, and found that Eirwen had joined them on the bed after they had fallen asleep.

She began to stir, stretching with a smile. “You did it, hubby. Made my dream come true.”

Nick chuckled, and shook his head. He deposited Kaya gently off his shoulder onto the bed next to him, to turn to Eirwen and hug her more tightly to him as he looked her in the eyes. “If your dream is for me to seduce another girl that I like, then you don’t have to twist my arm.”

Eirwen smiled. “I’m just happy Kaya will be by our side no matter what. I love her, and I want what’s best for her. That said, there was a small benefit–and it should be fun!”

Nick frowned in thought, then remembered he had gotten a notification after forming his soul pact with Kaya.

[Soul Pact: Eirwen]

[You have made an Oath to be the hero Eirwen desires, and her a wife that will support you with her loyalty and devotion as a partner. Her dream was for you to make a Soul Pact making Kaya your Wife, which was now completed. Earned Trait: Dreamweaver.]

“Huh, that could be useful. I can learn dream magic now?”

“Yup! You probably could have, before, but it should be much easier and worthwhile now! I can teach you, or now that you have the trait, it should be possible to purchase the skill gem and use it. Now, it is certainly a skill that can be used for fun, but I think if we combine it with your strength of soul and ability to detect lies, we may be able to use it as a tool.”

Nick gave a feral smile. “Dream interrogation. I like it. It can help us get to the bottom of some of these crimes. Once again, you’re awesome, Winny.”

Her smile didn’t reach her eyes, a wistful look in her expression. “I…looked over my class choices last night.”

Nick raised his brow. “Oh? What did you find?”

She chuckled. “You can look too, you know. But I found something interesting–I can no longer become a Dream Oracle. I hadn’t noticed it when I became your wife, but it appears foresight by us is not allowed.”

“Huh. Wonder why that would be. Maybe it means that same type of thing can’t be used against us?”

“That would be a wonderful thing, and sounds plausible. Anyway, I have several new options that are grayed out, that might be interesting that I can work towards. But… I don’t know.”

He could see she looked worried, a pain touching her features. “What is it, Winny?”

She hesitated. “At least one of them appears to be…for running a Crown Sanctum, helping you run your kingdom. Something that does not go well with delving into the Ordeals.”

Nick snorted. “Why you gotta be worried about it? If you don’t like it, don’t do it. We can get someone else to run that stuff. I’d rather you be with me anyway, I’d like to have my cute sheep girl with me at all times, going on adventures together. I told you, I’d carry you on my back through the tower if I had to.”

Eirwen blushed. “W-Well, I don’t think it’s that simple. These classes appear to be quite rare, so it might be a bigger benefit to you and your people for me to have them. I could still be a part of your climbing the towers, by joining you in your dreams. Besides, I’m not that great at fighting. I know I’m not at the same level as you and Kaya–”

Nick shook his head. “I thought we talked about this. I’m not leaving you behind just because it benefits me. It’s different if you want to do the running the kingdom stuff, but I won’t let you say you aren’t good enough to come with. Your shield helped a lot, and despite never fighting in your life, you kicked ass with that crossbow!”

She still looked doubtful, so he continued, “We came into this Ordeal unprepared. Next time, we won’t have that problem. We’ll spend a time obtaining and practicing our skills and preparing our equipment, and form up a proper group ready to take on any challenge. I promised you limitless adventure, and if that’s what you want, nothing is going to stop you, not even yourself.”

Eirwen gave him a small smile. “I…thanks, hubby. You’re right–I could get a more combat-focused class. I would lose my support passive traits, but I could become a Shaman.”

Nick frowned. “You mentioned that your class raised the difficulty less, before. Is there a limit to the party size on entry?”

“It depends on the Ordeal. In this one, the party limit and recommendation was ten, with two supporters. Of course, the Ordeal is meant to scale the difficulty to those that enter, but some might have a fixed number, requiring you to take a certain number, or suffer the consequences.”

Nick groaned. “No wonder it was mad at me, and this damn Trial was so hard! It thought I should have brought a full party, but I just came in with two women, one being a support. Even that boss on the fourth floor would have been a whole lot easier with a well-rounded group of ten.”

Eirwen giggled. “Alright, I won’t worry about changing from support for now. Still, I do hesitate for one more important reason.”

Nick frowned, then froze as he realized what she was already thinking. “Heirs.”

Eirwen smiled and rubbed her belly fondly. “That’s right. If I’m with child, diving into the tower is not ideal. That said, the second stratum is still not to the point where we are gone for months on a single delve, unless you run into a Trial. We should be able to…work things out.”

Nick nodded. “We’ll even have three Ordeals, probably, giving us options for how to progress. The orc’s Ordeal was fast and solo, and we’ll need to learn more about Rebecca’s. Anyway, I think we should get moving. Our time here for Trial Exit is limited, and I’d rather head out sooner rather than later.”

Eirwen nodded, and Nick caressed and scratched Kaya’s ears atop her head, causing her to smile and stretch, waking up.

Kaya moaned. “Mmm, last night was something else. That was a good sleep, too.”

Eirwen got up and started getting ready, putting on her tribal clothes as Nick gave his new wife a quick kiss on the lips.

“You didn’t even snore, Kaya. But it’s time to get up. We got some stuff that needs to be looked over.”

A knock at the door sounded, and once again the wolfling girls brought them breakfast. Nick made sure to give them their head pats and good jobs, thanking them for being helpful.

[Soul Pact: Kaya]
[You promised Kaya you would become a Lord that drew many warriors to your call. You will accomplish this when you achieve ten warrior Soul Pacts in the second stratum with a class rarity of Rare or above. Progress: 1/10]

Nick realized Lothar reached the criteria already, and Kaya would be a second one. Getting a full ten would certainly be a big deal, the second stratum rare class warriors a pillar of a village or city.

He looked over Kaya’s status sheet.

[Name: Kaya]
[Race: Archaen Red Panda Beastfolk]
[Level: 5]
[Class: Archaen Beast Warrior, Rare Class (+1.0 Body, +0.5 Soul Per Level)]
[Traits: Advanced Body(Strength), Feral Rage, Enhanced Body(Sensory), Icy Veins, Soul Bound, Ferocity, Essence Carry, Essence Piercing Plus]
[Attributes: 7.97 Body, 6.25 Soul]
[Proficiencies: Intermediate Dagger, Intermediate Throwing, Intermediate Axe, Intermediate Body Enhancement]
[Spells: Beast Transformation, Dash, Leap, Cleave, Feral Strike, Roar]

Feral Rage was what made her stronger while in her beast transformation, causing her to go berserk. Ferocity was her increased strength and agility while in Beast Transformation, and Essence Carry was what allowed her feral energy to travel just a little bit further outside of her body by default, allowing her to send slashes in waves.

A new spell showed up when she became an Archaen Beast Warrior, called Roar. It looked like it would draw attention to her and away from her allies, almost like Rebecca shouting, attack me. Then, those closest to her, struck by the wave of spiritual energy if she focused on them, could be stunned.

Her essence piercing was also upgraded, to include being able to damage one’s soul, in addition to penetrating armor and essence. It was an extremely powerful ability, that would allow her feral essence to compete with his white blade of light.

“Damn, Kaya. You are one badass bitch now. I can’t wait to see you catch up in level.”

Kaya raised her brow, finishing chewing her pancake. “Oh? And is being a badass bitch a good thing? This another one of those Nick-isms that everyone says?”

“It is when you’re my badass bitch, and yeah, totally.”

She chuckled at Nick and smiled, giving him a kiss on the cheek. “You’re so goofy–but I like that part of you, now.”

They got moving, and went about their preparations. Eirwen had to spend time repairing all of their armors, while Kaya practiced her new skills and saw if any new ones were available.

Nick had resummoned Jerome once more in drake form, before they headed back to Nagduros. He found that the Alpha Drake was too powerful for him to turn it into a soul servant, and much of its head was destroyed, making it unusable.

Nick decided to go without Jasper for now, wanting to instead grab a new corpse later, saving the Soul Power for his blade for the confrontation with the bandits.

For Trial Exit, they would be limited to the same party as the Trial, a size of ten. Nick wanted to bring Lothar and Agatha, but it turned out that they were both at the second stratum, and would not be allowed to until Trial Closure.

He decided on the party for Trial Exit.

Nick, Kaya, Eirwen, Sable, Fang, Luna, Andross and his two wives, Sharon and Indrid, a shaman and scout respectively, and, hopefully, Rebecca. They managed to contact her through Lothar’s Crown Sanctum, and she would be joining them at the Exit in the center of the island at midafternoon.

She had made sure that the church was searched more heavily, and that someone else didn’t take over or free the prisoners and get away in the chaos of Trial Closure. Thankfully, it seemed her priests and priestesses had done well, even searching for and destroying the tainted books filled with improper teachings in their library after resolving the chaos.

The people of Zura were also ashamed, that they had let hatred overcome the great teachings of Seraphara. The Bishop never should have been able to supplant her wisdom, her knowledge, and benevolence, something the people of Zura strived to be like.

Nick would now have a bunch of fervent Seraphara worshipers joining him in Havendale, along with the orc raiders. He just had to secure their new home, their city, first.

Rebecca met him at the portal, having a group of priests and priestesses escorting her. She was wearing her habit still, but carrying the embellished staff her father had used previously.

Nick frowned. “We might have hostile enemies on the other side. It’d be smart if you wore a little more…protection. I thought–”

Rebecca smiled, as she knocked on her chest and other arm, a dull knocking sound echoing out. “That’s what’s lovely about my habit–it’s so large, it’s hard to imagine, right? But I’m wearing leather armor, underneath. Those that attack me will find I am more than ready for battle.”

Eirwen giggled, her ears wiggling. “Nice one, Becca! Welcome. It might be a bit scary on the other side, but I think compared to the Bishop, our enemies should be small timers. Nick’s drake might be able to take on half the enemies by itself!”

The large party entered the portal, and to his surprise, he was able to select their exit. Preferring to exit in the sewers, he chose it.

His party was transferred to a strange space, as if floating in the void. Nick was surrounded in light and he felt the weight of the Orion system or whatever ran the Ordeal like before, and received several notifications.

[Trial of Leadership Completed. Rating: S]
[Difficulty: S]
[Through the crucible of conflict, your fate, skill, leadership, and even your people’s race were Tested. You walked the path of heroes and stood against evil, facing it honorably, while surpassing yourself and becoming more. You became the Alpha of a monsterfolk tribe, and led them in combat while protecting and enabling them to ascend beyond themselves. Defeating a warrior of the second stratum in an honorable duel, facing and defeating a second stratum caster with a Concept, and defeating the Alpha Drake in solo combat, were all feats worthy of a challenger on the Hero’s Path, and your reward while risking everything will be commensurate.]

Nick nearly rolled his eyes at the final sentence as he read it. He wasn’t given a choice about risking everything!

[Trial Reward: Frostspire Mines. The gemstone mines that were held in Conflict by the people of Zura and Nagduros will be replaced by a mine from a distant shard, and can be moved to Havendale depending on your choice for Trial Closure.]

Nick was excited, receiving a valuable resource for him and his people. With it being a frost theme, he figured he might even be able to gain some benefit for himself.

[Trait Reward for Nicholas Noblefrost: Will of Frost upgraded to: Will of the Frost Emperor.]

[Will of the Frost Emperor, +2 Body, +4 Soul]
[Your body and soul are strengthened against debilitating attacks, and frost is now your domain–only cold energies far above your level can harm you now. Spells and abilities meant to impede you are reduced significantly through strength of will alone. Effects have been greatly increased, and your Frost Affinity has increased. Frost Elemental Manipulation granted.]

Nick’s body and soul were bombarded with frost energies, just like when he was purified by the wall of ice on the first floor. Ice filled his veins, a blue and gold energy flowing through his entire body.

He was baptized in the mystical energies, his body enhanced by the magic of the Trial as his body and soul changed forever.

Kaya and Eirwen too were baptized in special magics, Nick unable to see what was happening to them, but he was able to see his wives’ prompts as he continued to be bathed in the special energies.

The wolflings and the followers that came along with him had something happening to them as well. Even Jerome, and Nick somehow knew that Jasper and Rebecca’s mother, despite not being with him, were both somehow being influenced by the energy.

He had been told that Trial Closure would rate all participant’s performance, as they had been provided a minor Tribulation. Those that survived their Tribulation were granted boons and rewards, and would receive something like the traits he received, or valuable items or skills that could alter their fate.

[Eirwen - Trial Completed]

[You risked yourself and supported your Archaen Husband through the Trial, providing wisdom and support in helping him against various challenges. You were baptized in battle against difficult foes for someone with no experience in combat, but remained steadfast in your aid of your husband and his allies, supplementing his leadership with your guidance of the wolflings. Through hard work and determination, you learned shamanic magic to increase your capability and bring your ability to support your husband and his allies to greater heights.]

[Reward Earned: Body Essence and Magic Affinity Increase, +2 Body, +2.5 Soul]
[Your body and soul have been tempered by mystical energies, enhancing your body and soul. A sheep beastfolk has low affinity with Body essence and magics, but most shamanic magics require it. With this tempering, you have ascended beyond your race’s limits.]

[Kaya - Trial Completed]

[Your strength of arms aided your leader in victory, your resolve and faithful service in protecting your charges a sign of an excellent Beast Warrior. Throughout the Trial, you were Tested and given an opportunity for strength, and through desire and determination, and a little bit of help, you mastered your bestial self. You stood up to all challenges and seized your power, excelling and becoming a respected warrior among the orcs and wolflings, looked up to by many.]

[Trait Earned: Enhanced Transformation, +2 Body, +1 Soul]
[Your body and soul have been tempered by mystical energies, enhancing your ferality and your soul’s control over it. Your ability to strengthen your body without increasing your size, or increase the size of your body in exchange for Essence and mana has increased.]

Nick wasn’t sure how long they spent in the void, their bodies being changed by their respective energies. It was somewhat soothing, but a pressure built in his chest that wasn’t what he would call comfortable.

Eventually, they were released from the special location and arrived in the crypt underground. Nick could feel that he had become even stronger than before, having became more as a result of his Trial.

His new trait was like he passed three or four challenging Tests all at once, and it was amazing.

The crypt was empty, and there didn’t even appear to be any rats.

Nick glanced at Eirwen, seeing that she had changed slightly–her hair had become longer. Not only that, but she had a more…beastly air about her, and her horns even darker and more sturdy. It was almost like she became a ram, instead of a sheep.

One of Andross’s wives spoke up, nearly immediately. “Don’t move. There are traps near the portal.”

Nick groaned. Already, they were off to a bad start–and he knew this was just the beginning.