A Source Of Confidence

Cain couldn't believe it, was it pure coincidence? Had she understood his ability in just that split moment? With such a bold statement he could only assume that this move. . . it was intentional!

His body touched the ground and he immediately gritted his teeth. The chaotic electricity in his fist ran rampant across his body. [Virescent Current: Jacob's Ladder] had a huge flaw in return for its devastating power. If he was unable to land it the moment he touched the ground he would face a powerful backlash. One he wasn't entirely sure he would survive with his body only at Second Stage.

"Agghhrrg-!"

Ninn wasn't going to pity Cain. Pulling out more daggers she rapidly threw them forward, they arced through the air before homing onto Cain. Their bone white color stabbing into his body. Cain felt like his body was being torn apart at its very fibers. The electricity showing no signs of stopping. His body flexed and tightened uncontrollably. As he caught a glimpse of more daggers descending upon him he only felt frustration. In the end the reason for his loss would be his own actions!

A warm feeling slowly crawled across his body. Providing a comforting feeling. As he looked to his side a comforting face was shown, "Pale. . . !"

"I take it you need no words from me."

"I'm aware of what I did wrong."

"Good. Now you're opponent still stands in front of you."

Ninn pulled out several daggers, "Two on one. . . how annoying."

Pale rested her shield against the ground, "Stand strong, you can yet buy time."

"I don't need your words."

"Very well."

It was already troubling enough to fight Cain with his speed. Now that he had a healer he could ignore defense and go on the full offensive. The only thing preventing him from defeating her early was the daggers she had invisible. If he no longer needed to worry about that. . .

Reaching into her bag she pulled out several daggers, filling the gaps between her fingers with them. Throwing them out in random directions she began to control them to spin. Swinging a hand she sent a wave towards Cain. Not stopping she continued to release knives out in a wave.

Cain buzzed violently, "I appreciate the assistance Senior! But I'll finish her off!"

"If you hold the confidence I shall believe in it."

"You have my thanks!"

Cain dashed through the knives, his body flickering through the wave. As he moved he knocked against the flat ends of the daggers with his knuckle, despite their spinning. A green electricity rippled through them and caused them to fall, even the bone daggers.

[Virescent Current: Electromagnetic Interference]!

Ninn grit her teeth, "So you can transmit electricity through bone now? How convenient!"

"That's not quite the case, but I won't bother explaining."

Cain flickered through the constant wave of daggers. Perhaps through Pale's presence he gained confidence, enough to drastically change his behavior.

Pale provided a different form of protection as a Paladin. If Tilia provided protection by tampering with the mental state of their enemies, then Pale provided protection by giving her teammates unwavering confidence. Two different methods of protecting their teammates, and both completely valid approaches. Yet they both have different effects.

Ninn started to lean back, Cain's foot gently brushed her nose as he missed a kick. Following up the spin he released a back kick and hit Ninn's stomach. She slid back a bit and made the remaining daggers in her control curve towards Cain. They flew through the air at an impressive speed, but nothing compared to what Cain was capable of.

Ninn attempted to use her daggers to gain an edge, but it was fruitless. She was outnumbered, heavily injured, and one of her opponents was capable of healing. It was clear she had no way of victory. Even stalling was proving to be a painful experience.

Cain slammed a knee into her face and made her lose control of the daggers. Blood dripped from her wounds and her breathing grew heavy. Currently unarmed she merely stood still, attempting to catch her breath.

Slowing to a stop Cain watched Ninn, "It's impressive. I can tell you're still only Second Stage. The fact you managed to push me so far is incredibly impressive. I must say the South found some interesting people."

"I. . . don't want your flattery. . ."

"Then I won't waste my breath."

[Virescent Current: Signal Cut]

Delivering a swift blow to Ninn's forehead Cain transmitted a small but deadly electrical current. Ninn fell to the ground and ceased to function.

Pale nodded and looked towards Thirn. Upon seeing his situation she moved quickly. Her shield blocking the strange bronze semi-translucent one.

Now Tilia was the only one left standing!

Tilia caused the shields around Thirn to disappear. Adjusting her stance she spoke, "Three against one now?"

Pale rested her shield against the ground, "You would be correct."

"Well that's troublesome. Mind giving me a second?"

Pale was slightly taken aback, "What for?"

"You can choose to not, but since I'm against three of you I want a quick breather to prepare."

"Standing idly as you do whatever you plan to is not wise. I'm afraid we won't be chatting much longer."

Cain flickered and. . . slammed into a solid surface. A bronze semi-translucent mountain formed around Tilia. With this she was safe, until they found out its one weakness. In the meantime she had a few preparations to complete.

"Oh warrior, fight a battle to your hearts desire. Feel the bursting energy within.", Tilia began to chant.

Reaching into her bag she pulled out a few items. Or rather it was a singular item with a bunch of flasks attached to it. During the dungeon with Eternal Candle Tilia was the one who was chosen for the first pick of the drops. As she poked through the first one she came across something interesting. Deciding to gamble on it she picked the item.

The item she picked was none other than a lesser form of the Dungeon Quest Item. A chunk of pure flame contained within a crystal. When Tilia inspected it she found out it was a material for something, but it didn't explain what.

As they continued to clear the dungeon she found out what it was to. The second boss granted her a small orb containing the corrupted water. And the final boss gave her a series of flasks tied to a belt. Upon combining these three items she was granted something quite interesting.

[Droplets of Life]

Five flasks each containing a single droplet of the water of life. Upon drinking a droplet the user will receive a moment of [Life Stirring]. After drinking a droplet the user will be unable to consume any further droplets for 48 hours. Once a single person has drunk all 5 droplets, they are granted the [Life Renascence] Skill.

After a bit of discussion it was decided that Tilia should keep the flasks. For out of the entire party she was the one who lacked trump cards. Her War Sight was something she used constantly for battle now. Her enchantment abilities were used to buff others rather than to be used on only herself. The rest she had was from her equipment.

Tilia had already consumed one of the droplets, purely to find out what [Life Stirring] was. After finding out its abilities she decided it should be saved as a trump card. Rather than consuming it all as soon as possible. She still had no idea what [Life Renascence] was, so it might not entirely be worth it.

"As your body grows warm, and your weapon hot. Your body grows determined still."

Thirn warned, "This is a War Sight! It proves to be incredibly defensive! I couldn't pierce it using ordinary methods."

Cain flickered and returned to Thirn's side, "Your crossbow."

As Thirn reloaded his crossbow Pale healed his wounds, "You found a way to bypass it?"

"Yeah, it's impenetrable but not impassable. If you can find other means to get through it then it will be fine."

"Interesting. A powerful War Sight indeed. Now stop her actions before we find out what she's planning."

Tilia disconnected a flask and popped out the cork while finishing her chants, "Arise from the improbably odds and set your record upon the world!"

<Chant 2 complete! All Stats +30% for minutes.>

Tilia consumed the Droplet of Life and felt a strange energy stir within her.

<Droplet 2 of Life consumed, player is granted [Life Stirring] for minutes!>

[Life Stirring:

Every being holds impurities, whether it be large or small. These impede growth and strength, and prove near impossible to completely remove. The Droplet of Life stirs within you, slowly eating away at these impurities.

Effects:

- All Stats +200%

- +1 stack of [Life Preparation]

- +40% HP regeneration]

[Clockwork Bolts: Second Hand Skip]!

A bolt from Thirn bypassed her War Sight. Tilia reached out and grabbed it out of the air, "Thank you for waiting."

Placing the rest of the flasks into her bag she then pulled out one last item. The helmet to her armor set. Setting it upon her head she let it rest and heard a click. Her armor reinforced with her War Sight, while the mountain remained unwavering.

[Ignition]!