... Or, is it?
In the midst of an eerie black void, Zenith stood, or at least she thought she stood.
It was hard to tell when she couldn't even see her own feet.
"Hello?" she called out, her voice echoing into the emptiness. "Anyone there?"
Silence greeted her, broken only by the faint sound of her own breathing.
Then, out of nowhere, a message materialized before her, glowing in bright, neon letters:
Congratulations!
You have met the requirements for a Hidden Class: Death Knight
Zenith blinked, her brow furrowing in confusion.
"Hidden Class? Death Knight? What the hell is going on?" She muttered to herself, trying to make sense of the words dancing before her eyes.
As if on cue, a holographic image appeared.
Welcome to the Unity Trials
As a Player in the Unity Trials, you have gained access to two things.
The Player Shop
And
Classes
The Player Shop allows you to purchase items ranging from basic, day-to-day necessities to weapons and armor, and even whole houses and furniture.
When you select a Class you will be given a set of starting gear tailored for that Class and gain access to all of that Class's specific Spells or Techniques.
Here are the Classes you may choose from:
Warrior Path:
Knight: Masters of defense and close combat, Knights wield heavy armor and formidable weapons to protect their allies and crush their foes.
Fighter: Fueled by an unmatched ferocity, Fighters unleash devastating attacks and shrug off damage with reckless abandon.
Paladin: Holy warriors who combine martial prowess with divine magic, Paladins uphold justice and righteousness on the battlefield.
Mage Path:
Sorcerer: Harnessing the elemental forces of fire, ice, and lightning, Sorcerers rain destruction upon their enemies from afar with powerful spells and arcane knowledge.
Necromancer: Masters of dark magic and shadowy arts, Warlocks wield curses and summon demonic minions to do their bidding, striking fear into the hearts of their adversaries.
Priestess: Devoted healers and protectors, Priestesses draw upon the power of light and healing magic to mend wounds, purify corruption, and bolster the strength of their allies.
Rogue Path:
Assassin: Swift and deadly, Assassins strike from the shadows with precision and stealth, eliminating their targets with lethal efficiency.
Thief: Masters of deception and subterfuge, Thieves excel at picking locks, disarming traps, and pilfering treasures unnoticed.
Ranger: Skilled marksmen and survivalists, Rangers are adept at ranged combat and tracking their prey through even the most treacherous terrain.
Support Path:
Alchemist: Alchemists are masters of potion-making and transmutation magic, wielding the power of alchemical concoctions to heal wounds, enhance attributes, and create powerful elixirs to aid their allies.
Blacksmith: Blacksmiths are skilled artisans who forge weapons, armor, and tools of exceptional quality, providing essential support to their comrades on the battlefield.
Choose wisely, for your class will shape your destiny and determine your role in this world.
May your journey be filled with adventure and glory!
---
You have qualified for a Hidden Class!
Death Knight
An image appeared displaying a rather ominous-looking figure clad in dark armor, wielding a massive sword, like concept art ripped from the darkest corners of a trashy fantasy novel.
The figure stood tall and imposing, draped in heavy, obsidian-colored armor that seemed to absorb the very light around it. Each piece of armor was etched with intricate, menacing designs, giving the impression of a warrior forged from nightmares.
The helmet concealed their face, leaving only a pair of glowing, malevolent eyes visible beneath the shadowy visor.
In one hand, they wielded a massive sword, its blade gleaming with a dull, otherworldly light. The weapon seemed almost comically oversized. Completely impractical. Something no human should have been able to carry, let alone swing.
All this was well and good, but...
"... What!?" Zenith tried to lean in closer. "What does this have to do with me?"
As if reminding her, the words flashed again:
You have met the requirements for a Hidden Class: Death Knight
The description accompanying the image was equally cryptic:
Death Knight:
A class reserved for those scorned by the divine. Those with ambitions or dreams left unfulfilled, with desires so strong they can reverse the inevitable. As a Death Knight, you will gain resistance to any necrotic effects. Your body will be as tough as the earth from which you rise, and you will occasionally be able to recruit other dark minions to aid you in your cause.
However, as with all things, there is a price. Multiple, in fact. Others being in your presence for too long will hurt them, and if you do not maintain a grip over your own thoughts, you could lose yourself, becoming a bigger threat to those around you than any monster.
This class is reserved for those with wishes that burn so brightly that the heavens themselves cannot ignore them.
Will you work toward your goals? Will you rectify your mistakes?
Zenith's eyes widened as she read, her mind racing with a thousand questions.
"What is all of this? Am I dreaming? Am I dead?" she muttered, running a hand through her invisible hair in frustration.
Before she could ponder any further, another message popped up, this one more ominous than the last:
Do you wish to accept this class and return to the land of the living?
Zenith stared at the message, her mind spinning with possibilities.
"Return to the land of the living?" Zenith echoed, her voice tinged with disbelief. "Seriously?"
She expected to wake up any moment now, but, no. Slowly, but surely, it became clear that this was no dream, and this strange offer was genuinely being made to her.
As she contemplated it, memories of her past flooded her mind like a torrential downpour.
She remembered the overwhelming loneliness that had consumed her after her sister's death, the way grief had wrapped its icy fingers around her heart and refused to let go. She remembered pushing her family away, shutting them out in a futile attempt to shield herself from the pain.
And she remembered the guilt that had gnawed at her soul, the relentless whispers of self-doubt that had plagued her every waking moment. She wished it had been her instead, wished she could trade places with her sister and spare her from the agony she endured.
But then, amidst the darkness of her thoughts, a single ray of light pierced through the gloom.
Asuka's face flashed before her mind's eye, her radiant smile and infectious laughter warming Zenith's heart like a beacon of hope in the depths of despair.
She remembered the way Asuka had always tried to lighten the mood, the way she had cared for Zenith even when she felt unworthy of such kindness. The little moments between them that burned like beacons of flame in her cold heart.
And at that moment, Zenith figured she may as well ask:
"Is... is Asuka okay?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
The System remained silent for a moment, its response shrouded in cryptic ambiguity.
The woman is alive...
... For now.
Those words sent a shiver down Zenith's spine, igniting a firestorm of determination within her soul.
At that moment, two faces flickered past Zenith's eyes.
The sister she'd failed to help at all during her final days.
And, Asuka, who Zenith died trying to protect.
Her answer was instant.
[I...] Zenith would have clenched her fists if she had any right now.
"I accept," she declared, her voice steady despite the tumult of emotions raging within her.
Player Response Noted
Class Assigned: Death Knight
Status
Zenith Vale
Level 1
Mana Points: 10/10
EXP: 0/10
Activity Points: 0
World Shop Tokens: 0
---
Endurance: 1
Speed: 1
Precision: 1
Strength: 1
Arcane: 1
---
Skills:
Alchemy: 5
Archery: 5
Blade: 10
Blunt: 10
Blacksmithing: 5
Blocking: 5
Dual Wielding: 5
Unarmed: 5
Healing Magic: 5
Combat Magic: 10
Utility Magic: 10
Lance: 5
Summoning: 10
Sneaking: 5
Speech: 5
Scouting: 5
---
Traits:
Undead Aura
{Gain a resistance to necrotic damage}
---
Equipment:
Old Death Knight Helm {Lesser}
Old Death Knight Chestplate {Lesser}
Old Death Knight Gauntlets {Lesser}
Old Death Knight Greaves {Lesser}
Old Death Knight Boots {Lesser}
---
Weapon:
Ceremonial Greatsword
{Lesser}
{Requirements: None}
{Description: Heavy, old greatsword. Likely wielded by someone so powerful that whether or not they even needed this weak blade is debatable}
Val: 100 WST
At the same time, these words flashed as well.
Your pact has been made.
You are now oathbound.
Asuka's face flashed before Zenith's mind as she read this.
"I will do whatever it takes to protect her. No matter the cost," slipped out from her formless lips.
---
Suddenly, the world began to change.
The black void slowly gained color. Zenith's body began to take form.
And the last thing she heard was a low cackling from a feminine voice, somewhere in the distance.
As Zenith's senses gradually returned to her, she found herself lying on the cold pavement of the street where she had fallen, surrounded by the dim glow of flickering streetlights.
The world around her seemed to slowly materialize, the black void dissipating to reveal the familiar sights of the city.
[Ah... Shit. My head is pounding.]
The feeling left almost as soon as she'd detected it, though.
Pushing herself up into a sitting position, Zenith's first instinct was to scan her surroundings for any signs of danger.
But to her surprise, the street was eerily quiet, devoid of the chaos and carnage she had expected after the encounter with the zombies. It was almost as if nothing had happened at all.
A dark, blue moon hung above in the night sky, staring down at Zenith.
[Wait, wait, was it actually a...]
That suggestion vanished as soon as she looked down at herself.
A sense of unease washed over her as she glanced down at her own body, her eyes widening in disbelief as she took in the sight of the dark armor that now adorned her frame. It was the same armor she had seen in the holographic image, albeit a far more rusted version.
The armor of a Death Knight.
[A Death Knight... what does that even mean? And why me?]
A shiver ran down her spine.
She was no longer the same person she had been before. She had been reborn as something... else.
But as unsettling as it was, Zenith knew that she couldn't dwell on her own discomfort.
Not when Asuka's safety was still uncertain.
With a determined nod, Zenith pushed herself to her feet, her muscles protesting as she adjusted to the weight of her new armor. Despite the chill that seemed to seep into her bones, she forced herself to focus on the task at hand.
All that mattered now was finding Asuka.
[Asuka... please be safe. I can't lose you.]
But as Zenith scanned the deserted street, her heart sank at the realization that her friend was nowhere to be seen.
Panic began to rise within her chest as she searched desperately for any sign of Asuka's presence, her mind racing with fear and uncertainty.
[No, she has to be okay. I won't accept anything less. I swear,] Zenith gritted her teeth, almost growling. [If that fucker got Asuka killed... I... I'm going to tear him apart!]
Suddenly, out of the darkness, a lone figure emerged.
It was a monstrous creature. It looked a lot like the zombies Zenith had seen before, but its form twisted and distorted, its eyes glowing with a malevolent light.
Her instincts screamed at her to run, to flee from the approaching threat. But as she glanced down at her hands, now clad in dark gauntlets, she knew that she couldn't afford to back down.
[No...] Zenith took a deep breath. [I'm not running.]
The creature moved toward her. Zenith did the same, approaching it.
[I'm not backing down. If I can't take one monster out on my own, how am I ever going to protect Asuka? I have to do this. I have to test myself.
With a steely resolve, Zenith squared her shoulders, her grip tightening on the hilt of her ceremonial greatsword.
Holding it in front of her, Zenith narrowed her eyes.
[Let's do this.]