Shadowed Secrets of Evangeline

Grim's consciousness gradually returned to the present after the intense exchange with Elysia concluded. Whenever he engaged in dialogue with her, he found himself plunging deeper into a shadowy realm, where he stood amidst a town cloaked in a sinister, obsidian hue. Dark tendrils slithered across the eerie town, but none of them belonged to Elysia, who communicated with him telepathically.

As Grim emerged from the otherworldly reverie, he noticed the last guard, bound to the ground by the inky hands of the shadows, struggling to address him. "Hey, kid. Kid! Snap out of it and release me from these damned shackles, whatever they are," the guard stammered, his voice quivering as he strained to lift himself from the ground.

Grim's gaze shifted from the guard to his new, unwilling accomplice – the captain who had been transformed. Already, the arrow had been removed from his neck, and his wounds were regenerating at a sluggish pace. "I'm really sorry about your kids, but you dying helps something bigger. I promise to make it quick and painless, okay?" Grim said, attempting to infuse his voice with compassion.

"No, please! Don't turn me into one of your mindless minions! I haven't done anything to deserve this!" the guard begged, his voice laced with desperation.

Grim's own voice trembled with sorrow at the prospect of extinguishing the life of an innocent, defenseless soul. "Hearing you hurt like this is awful. I'll make the pain stop now. Vitality Reap!" he intoned.

-10 Mana

Mana: 80/110

MRP: 2

"No!" The guard managed to choke out his final word before the crushing weight of exhaustion and death consumed him, his life force ebbing away into oblivion. His voice faded away as his fate was sealed.

*Quest Complete*

Level up!

*LEVEL MILESTONE REACHED*

Generating Milestone Reward…

(Uncommon) (Shadow Familiar - Summon a loyal familiar created by nearby shadows that can scout, relay information, and even perform small tasks. This familiar is immune to physical damage but can be banished by intense light. Shadows must be present for this skill to be activated. (maximum of 1), (Cost to cast - 30 Mana), (NOT UPGRADABLE)

Level up!

Progress to level 12: 18,610/102,400 Dark Essence

Bloodcrests Accumulated: 390

*Out of Combat*

Generating Skills…

*OVERSIGHT*

Stat points (20) have been allocated where deemed necessary.

Current Stats:

STR: 8 + 5 = (13)

DEX: 47

VIT: 30 + 5 = (35) ~ (+10 health) ~ Current Health: (69/70)

VRP: 3

Mana: 22 + 10 = (32) ~ (+50 mana) ~ Current Mana: (130/160)

MRP: 3

Mystical Power: 30

Grim was exhilarated by the rush of leveling up, but the guilt that had weighed heavily on his heart still lingered. He couldn't shake the feeling that he had made a mistake by extinguishing the life of a supposedly innocent, defenseless soul.

"Wasn't I supposed to learn a bunch of new skills just now?" Grim asked with curiosity, attempting to distract himself from his troubling thoughts.

"For being diligent and completing that quest, I'll grant you one skill now, and the rest will come when you finish your next quest for revenge," Elysia stated, her voice soothing and almost comforting.

"Hey! That's not fair. I want those skills now," Grim protested, his frustration evident.

*Special Quest*

Kill the lord's family

"Complete this quest for me, and you'll get your skills. I promise I'm not deceiving you this time, and it shouldn't be an issue for you since that's your goal anyway," Elysia reassured him in a gentle, maternal tone.

Generating skill…

You have received (Common) (Bone Golem -The ability to create a powerful golem made entirely of bones, imbuing it with strength, speed, and durability. (maximum of 1), (Cost to cast - 20 Mana), (Requires 5 carcasses), (Can be upgraded with Bloodcrests)

"Fine. No problem then. But if you're lying again, there will be consequences next time," Grim warned, his words not matching his childlike appearance.

Elysia couldn't help but burst into laughter, "You are just so endearing! I'm impressed by how quickly you adapt," she praised Grim.

Grim blushed not knowing how to respond after being dismissed so easily after a genuine threat.

Grim followed the dirt path toward the bustling town, his latest undead companion shuffling along in his wake. The sun climbed higher, casting golden rays across the landscape as scattered clouds hinted at a partly overcast day. Despite the early hour, the town teemed with activity: merchants haggling over prices, blacksmiths forging their wares, guards maintaining order, and townsfolk carrying out their daily routines. It was a spirited day for the community.

"I'm always so amazed by how tidy they manage to keep the town," Grim remarked to his minion, admiration evident in his voice.

"Grohh," the minion replied with what could only be interpreted as enthusiasm.

Mana Regeneration Complete! ~ (1 Hour Transpired) +3 Mana

Mana: 133/160

MRP: 3

Health Regeneration Complete! ~ (1 Hour Transpired) +1 Health

Health: 70/70

VRP: 3

As Grim neared the town, he sought cover behind a church and began to set his plan in motion. Carefully, he summoned his familiar from the shadows, ensuring every step of the invocation was executed flawlessly.

-30 Mana

Mana: 103/160

MRP: 3

From the depths of darkness, black specks materialized, merging to create the figure of an ethereal woman in her twenties. Her beauty was bewitching, her delicate features perfectly balanced in a harmony of grace and allure. High cheekbones, full lips, and a refined jawline accentuated her visage, which exuded an otherworldly aura as she emerged from the shadowy abyss. Her bright blue eyes, a stark contrast to the surrounding darkness, gleamed with an enigmatic intensity, drawing the observer further into her mystical presence. Her slender figure was complemented by a tasteful, natural curvature, lending an air of sensuality to her ethereal form. The enigmatic allure of her beauty seemed to defy the very boundaries of reality, ensnaring the hearts and minds of those who beheld her.

"How may I serve you, Master?" she inquired, her gaze locked intensely on Grim. He found himself unable to maintain eye contact, his shyness manifesting as he subtly averted his eyes.

"Master?" Grim echoed, perplexed. He had assumed that this skill would merely conjure a shadowy figure, not such a stunning woman.

"Indeed. What are your orders?" The ethereal presence continued, her voice soft and enchanting.

"What's your name?" Grim asked, his curiosity piqued.

"I am known as Evangeline, but you may call me as you wish," she replied.

"Okay, Evangeline. Can you find a path to a big house at the edge of town for me? It has lots of cool art and fancy stone stuff all around it – you really can't miss it. After you find it, come back and tell me what you saw. Can you do that for me?" Grim asked with precision.

"Simple enough," Evangeline agreed as she darted away, her form compressing into a slender black line that leaped from shadow to shadow. She seemed to meld into the buildings as if stepping into water, leaving behind ripples of darkness that radiated from her presence as she navigated the town.

"I hope I made the right decision by letting that guy rest in peace," Grim pondered to himself as he sat down with his back against the cool, sleek, stone wall of the church. He had thought of the times that he went to this very church with his parents, a simpler time that he once felt boring, he now yearned for.

Grim's minion stood nearby, its back arched, and eyes vacant as its skin darkened over time.

Mana Regeneration Complete! ~ (3 Hours Transpired) +9 Mana

Mana: 112/160

MRP: 3

Grim started to worry about his shadow being destroyed when Evangeline suddenly emerged from the floor's shadow beside him.

"I finished the task, Master," Evangeline reported, bowing slightly.

"Whew! I'm glad you're okay! So, what did you find?" Grim asked, relieved that Evangeline had safely completed her mission.

Evangeline straightened up and explained, "There aren't any bad guys around who can hurt you. I found the safest way to the big house. But when you get close, there are a few people with weapons who might be dangerous."

"Awesome. Show me the safe way and take me to a spot where I can watch those dangerous people from far away," Grim instructed kindly.

"Of course, Master," Evangeline agreed, bowing gently before extending her hand for Grim to take.

Grim hesitated for a moment, feeling a hint of shyness at the prospect of holding hands with such a captivating woman. However, he swiftly gathered his courage and took her hand.

The instant Grim's hand touched Evangeline's, she drew him close and allowed her body to sink into the shadow from which she had emerged.

Grim found himself in a monochrome world, devoid of any familiar sights or sounds. The stark absence of life was striking, and an eerie silence permeated the atmosphere, punctuated only by a faint, persistent ringing. This unsettling noise sent a shiver down Grim's spine as if echoing a foreboding warning. Yet, strangely, he felt a certain connection to this place.

"Evangeline, where are we?" Grim inquired his expression a mixture of curiosity and confusion.

"This is the safest path you asked for, Master," Evangeline replied, a subtle smile gracing her lips. She led Grim forward, striding confidently towards the imposing manor.

As they traversed the town beneath the bright daylight, Grim gradually became aware of a peculiar change in his own form. He realized that, like Evangeline, he had transformed into a shadow-like figure. This uncanny metamorphosis enabled them to meld seamlessly with the shadows cast by buildings and trees, remaining unnoticed by the vibrant townspeople. Rustling leaves and lively chatter served as a perfect cover for their clandestine journey.

While following Evangeline, Grim studied the enigmatic surroundings with intense curiosity, questioning his understanding of the world. Unaware of other realms beyond his own, Grim pondered what other mysterious places might be hidden from his knowledge.

Lost in his thoughts, Grim barely noticed when Evangeline guided him to the back of a nearby house. She effortlessly hoisted him onto the roof by the torso and gently tossed him up, where he landed with surprising ease. Evangeline then merged with the wall, glided upward, and reappeared beside a chimney, casting a slender shadow for her to stand in. Together, they surveyed the manor's front entrance from their vantage point.

Evangeline extended her hands, creating a small aperture in the realm that unveiled the world outside. Through it, Grim observed a group of armed soldiers vigilantly guarding the manor's entrance. With their lord missing, it was no surprise that they had bolstered their defenses.

Grim nodded to Evangeline, indicating he had seen enough, and she closed the tiny portal.

"Okay, Master, that's all I can do. It's too bright and harsh outside for me to exist, so you'll have to get inside on your own," Evangeline explained, unable to exist in a shadowless environment.

"You did great. Thanks, Evangeline," Grim said, smiling.

"My pleasure, Master. Before we part, I won't leave you without a weapon. As part of my recon mission, I have a gift for you," Evangeline said, placing her hands together. She pressed her index fingers against each other and pulled them apart, stretching a long black shadow into the shape of a bow. Once it was fully formed, she handed it to Grim.

"I hope this bow, called Oblivion, will keep you safe, Master," Evangeline said softly.