Choices

"The third law is the Law of Similar Sequence Beyonder Characteristics Conservation, which says that there is a fixed amount of Beyonder Characteristics in every pathway group. High-Sequence Beyonders can exchange pathways with similar pathways at Sequence 4, for example, the Red Priest and Demoness group pathway."

"Well, this is everything you have to know for now," Arthur said. "Now, just choose which one you would like to follow."

Jack was the first to choose, no surprise there. "I already knew what I wanted, but listening to your explanation made me even more sure. I want the Tyrant pathway, Sequence 9 Sailor!"

[Sequence 9 Sailor:

Main ingredients: Murloc's bladder; Crystalized seaweed.

Supplementary ingredients: 100 milliliters of Pure Water; ...]

The second person to choose was, surprisingly, Lara.

"I'll follow the Moon pathway, Sequence 9 Apotechary!"

"May I ask why?" Arthur asked.

"I feel like healing and buffing you guys is more compatible with my personality than fighting people. That's not to say I'll just run away if we were in a fight, but I like this more."

Arthur was relieved with her explanation, he had been afraid that Lara would choose the Moon pathway because she had some fantasies about Vampires.

Amanda, James, and Frank were still pondering their choices. That was a downside of being spoiled for choice.

James wanted the power to protect his sister, and now, even the crew as soon as possible. Hearing that Lara chose a pathway that didn't get combat powers early, just made him even more sure.

Frank didn't want to confront his future enemies head-on. He learned early in his life that nothing should be done without any preparation, so he was thinking about which pathway would better let him prepare a plan in advance before confronting his foe.

Amanda wasn't too worried about getting combat power as soon as possible, even without being a Beyonder, she was confident in her own abilities. She was conflicted about two pathways and decided to ask Arthur about them.

"I choose the Red Priest pathway, Sequence 9 Hunter!" James decided.

He had come to the conclusion that being a Hunter, and later a Pyromaniac, was his best chance to protect the crew early on.

[Sequence 9 Hunter:

Main ingredients: Black Wolf's Eyes and Claws.

Supplementary ingredients: 100 milliliters of Pure Water; ...]

Arthur wasn't surprised by that choice, considering this was the same young man who ran away from home to protect his sister.

"That's a good choice," Arthur said. " At lower Sequence, you get a body enhancement, and later you will be able to manipulate fire, find your opponent's weakness, and have expert knowledge in traps."

"I thought about it, and decided on the Fool pathway, Sequence 9 Seer," Frank said.

He had thought about becoming a Hunter too but decided that being able to divine about his enemy, a situation, or even just about danger was better. Besides, from what Arthur had said, this pathway came with a lot of life-saving abilities.

[Sequence 9 Seer:

Main ingredients: 10 milliliters Lavos Squid's blood; 50-gram Stellar Aqua crystal.

Supplementary ingredients: 100 milliliters of pure water; ...]

This time Arthur was surprised. He didn't think anyone would choose the Fool pathway, much less Frank.

"The seer is also a good choice, but can I ask why?"

"I thought about choosing the Red Priest pathway too, but the life preservation abilities and divination of the Fool pathway appeal to me," Frank explained.

"You should know that divination isn't all-powerful, sometimes it won't work and it can be fooled by high Sequence Beyonders or items," Arthur warned Frank.

"Thank you for the warning!"

Arthur turned his attention to the last person, Amanda.

"I can't choose between the Sun pathway and Darkness pathway," Amanda said.

"Well, both pathways have their own merit. The Sun pathway had powerful light spells, holy magic, and like the Moon pathway, buffing abilities. At higher Sequences, they can also authorize or nullify abilities, or actions. They're also able to create unbreakable contracts," Arthur explained. "As for the Darkness pathway, their powers are related to the night and the soul. They gain strength during night time, can pacify souls, enter others' dreams, cast sleep spells that affect an area, see in the dark, and suppress their enemies' moods and desires."

"Once they are at a higher Sequence, they can host evil spirits within them, shift a certain area under the state of secrecy, erase or hide things, and give misfortune to others."

"In that case, I choose the Sun pathway, Sequence 9 Bard," Amanda said. The Darkness pathway was very appealing, but the Sun pathway seemed better in her current situation.

[Sequence 9 Bard:

Main ingredients: A Crystal Sunflower or An adult Flint Bird's tail feather or a Fire Bird's tail feather; A piece of Siren Rock or a Singing Sunflower.

Supplementary ingredients: A blade of Midsummer Grass; ...]

"Okay, so I'll give you the potion formulas and you will be buying the supplementary ingredients since they're common enough," Arthur said. "We will sail back to Moonshine, and buy the main ingredients from Calico."

Even though Arthur knew that there was going to be a Beyonder gathering later that night, he wasn't planning on buying everything there. That was just asking for trouble.

He would see if there was anyone selling some of the ingredients, and leave at that.

...

It was close to midnight when Arthur returned from the gathering. He had been able to buy the main ingredients to two formulas, Sailor and Seer, since both came from sea creatures it was easy to find.

'Everyone seems to be asleep, so let just wait till tomorrow,' Arthur thought.

He opened the door to his cabin and was surprised to see Sabrina waiting for him.

"How was it?" She asked from her position sat on my desk, dangling her legs.

"Jack and Frank will take their potions tomorrow, the rest will have to wait."

"Hm... Well, I have also decided," Sabrina said standing up. "I chose the Darkness pathway, Sequence 9 Sleepless."

"Great! But will you be taking the potion as you are now or wait till you get a true body?" Arthur asked concerned. That was his only problem with Sabrina becoming a Beyonder, he didn't know how it would affect her.

They had already asked Harion, and his response while enlightening didn't alleviate his concerns.

"There were cases of spirits being contaminated or assimilating Beyonder characteristics before, gaining their powers. However, that was usually an accident, and they lost control fast. Ms. Sabrina may have the qualities of a spirit, but she's gaining a corporeal body. I truly don't know how the potion will affect her, but I think 'Him' would know of this possibility, of Sabrina taking a potion, in consideration."

"So go ahead, the chances of something happening are low."

That was what he said, and Arthur wanted to believe it but was still worried. Sabrina on the other hand was more excited than worried.

"I'll take as I am now, but who knows? Maybe by the time we collect all ingredients, I'll have a body," She said cheerfully.