The others had already moved Samvek away from the dead demon. I could feel the churning inside of him. He was having a hard time adapting to the surge of demonic Vitae he’d absorbed, but I was going to be here for him. I began Spirit Singing over him, a soothing song meant to quiet the unrest in him. After a few minutes, it began to work. Fifteen minutes into it, Samvek opened his eyes. I didn’t say anything, only smiled.

  “That almost sounds like a lullaby my mother used to sing to me.”

  “Don’t expect me to tuck you in. The real question is, are you okay?”

  “I’m… not entirely sure. I feel the chaos inside of me. It’s stronger than I’d anticipated.” Then he shared a notification, which was out of character for him, but showed the level of concern he must be feeling.

  Hunger is currently processing the Vitae absorbed from Decimus. It contains a large amount of chaotic energy. Absorption: 13%.

  Apparently, this was something I’d have to be worried about in the future. I shared the news about Ryan’s message, and being the man that he was, he was immediately up and headed for Azuria. I felt confident he’d secure us a ride.

  Talia slid in beside him. Her concern was thinly veiled, but that was just another issue we’d have to deal with later.

  I turned and headed over to Tad. He was shaken, but was currently attending to Lexa, who seemed to be healing up very well. The bits of her that were regrowing were strips of black wood sparkling with tiny motes of light, like the twinkling of stars in the night sky.

  “Thank you.” His gratitude was obvious in the way he looked at his friend.

  “Of course. Does that mean you know what I did?”

  He nodded. “The Ways filled me in. They also assured me that she will be all right, but it will take time. There has never been a child born from the Ways who possessed both halves. In many ways, she is to the Ways what I am to the Courts.”

  “As long as she’s okay. I acted on instinct, but I think it was the right thing to do.” There was too much urgency in Ryan’s call, so I didn’t take the time to explain that part of my Potentiality had gone into Lexa. If I was going to be a Creator of Fate, this might become the norm. My Potentiality had already ticked up by 0.01%, so apparently it was a renewable resource.

  I had something difficult to say now, but it was best to pull off the bandage quickly. “I have to leave. I will come back, but my friend Ryan needs me.”

  “You described him as a cultivator?”

  I nodded.

  “Still not entirely sure what that is, but I think I have plenty to deal with here while you’re gone. Just don’t forget to come back. We still have some crafting to do.” He said it lightly, but we both knew that my destiny was now tied to the Ways and this Key of Infinity.

  “You know I will. I just don’t know how long this is going to take.”

  I made sure that everyone was healed who could be healed. The dead adventurers were resurrected, as were a couple dozen civilians. It was really a miracle that the death toll had been so limited. Damage to the city, on the other hand…

  “What will you do about the city? There are going to be a lot of homeless people, although it looks like the business districts were hurt more.”

  “I’m hoping between Spot and Arbormaris we can fix that. Arbormaris was unwilling to engage in the battle for whatever reason, but I think she can be convinced to help the people of the city with new housing.”

  “Okay. Are we going to talk about what you called out? I’ve been expecting you to disappear, or for your dad to show up out of the sky.”

  He nodded. “I was too, at first. When I felt his presence, it was unlike anything I can describe. It was like a reflection of me, at least in part. The connection was instant. But then he sent me a message. He said that he’d surveyed the world and that he’d wait for me to come to him. He said not to wait too long, because eventually the Lawgiver will come.”

  I nodded. “Sounds much nicer than your aunt.”

  There was a wistful expression on his face. “I sure hope so.”

  I checked in with everyone. Violet wanted to go with us, but obviously all of the people native to the Fey System were going to stay.

  We rested for a few hours, mostly because a dragon who needs a nap is apparently very grouchy. Samvek assured me she’d only nap for a few hours, instead of the days that she’d normally want to. That was fine, because it allowed me time to process what had happened.

  I felt different. I knew I was changing, and I knew that touching on the ascendant had altered me somehow, but there was only one new line on my status sheet.

  Unity: ???

  That was as clear as a bucket of mud, but it was what it was. For now, my mind was mostly fixated on reaching Ryan. I willed my thoughts across the Void, knowing that was only a fantasy, but I wanted to tell him to hold on a little longer.

  Then, since I had more time to wait before we crossed the Void, I started going through my status sheet in detail. It felt good to take a moment and think about just how much I’d changed since this all began. I was a completely new being, going on completely new adventures, but I wouldn’t have it any other way. That was what growth was all about.

  Stats for Book Ten

  Name: Silas Renner-Kalestian, Rayden

  Clan: Rayden, inner family. 2568 merits

  House: Kalestian

  Sub House: Renner

  Race: Heretical Trailblazer of the Fused Path (Legendary 86%)

  Ascendant Guaranteed

  Blended Spirit-Physical Body

  Spirit Sight VI

  Age: 27

  Height: 6’9”

  Weight: 314 lbs.

  Potentiality: +4.01%/5.92%

  Unity: ???

  Class: Arch Lord / All-Guardian / Cosmic Synergist / Fate Weaver (Legendary)

  Level: 280

  Total XP: 732,000,000

  XP to Next Level: 0/34,000,000

  Primordial Aspect: Trailblazer (Sealed 62%)

  Draconic Dust: processing 13%

  Pioneers: 13 (and Selena)

  Heart Pioneers:10

  Vanguard: 1003/2000

  Horsemen of the Oncoming Apocalypse:

  Hell System—Samvek Rayden

  Divided Realms—

  Dragon System—

  Fey System—

  Spatial affinity 50%. Life affinity (Inverted?) 40%. Lightning affinity 20%. Temporal affinity 11%.

  Credits: 1,505,199,880,000

  Base Resistance to Hell and Chaos Mana and their effects: 90%

  Hell System Class: Soul Forger-Golem Molder (Legendary equivalent)

  Hell System Rank: Duke, vassal of Asmodeus, Hell-Forged Resilience

  Vitae Reservoir: 100/15,500

  Hell System Vassals: Samvek Rayden

  Life Force Cultivator: Rank A

  Meridians: 12/12

  Channels: Rank A

  Core: Rank A, 1577/3125

  Techniques:

  Numbing Touch (Rare-equivalent)

  Seed: Developing

  Current Psi-based abilities:

  Precognition: 9

  Psionic Construct: 4

  Physical Enhancement: 3

  Psi Seed: 4650/4650

  Fey System class: Creator of Fate (Legendary)

  Level: 1

  Fey System free stats gained per level: 100

  Fey System Traits:

  Dungeon Ally

  Traveler

  Immunities: Night’s Fall—41%

  Affiliations: Earth Home Guard, Adventurers Guild, Adventurers Guild Probationary Squad, Rayden Clan, Sect of the Veiled Infinity, Bymorte, Transhek, Acme, Galen/Anwich, System Mediator, Heavens’ Anointed Undisputed Ruler of Earth, Ally of the Dragon Emperor, Team Trailblazer, Death’s Primordial Gaze

  Occupation: Architect of the System, Level: 174

  Trade Skills:

  Carving: 65

  Metal Working: 324

  Design: 322

  Glass Working: 134

  Welding: 285

  Chemistry: 186

  Blacksmithing: 301

  Metallurgy: 250

  Programming: 275

  Rune Smithing: 305

  Drawing: 64

  Drafting: 88

  System Design: 48

  System Sight: 18

  System Interface: 28

  Inter-System Engineer: 1

  Stats:

  Strength: 11,435 (+152%)

  Dexterity: 10,081 (+152%)

  Agility: 13,005 (+147%)

  Vitality: 13,050 (+154%)

  Durability: 11,550 (+154%)

  Endurance: 10,220 (+127%)

  Mind: 11,435 (+169%)

  Will: 12,835 (+174%)

  Charisma: 10,547 (+157%)(+20% Vitality)(+10% humans)

  Perception: 11,251 (+177%)

  Available Stat Points: 210

  HP: 310,965 (+10%)

  HP Regen: 203,544/hour (+620%)

  Stamina: 196,650

  Stamina Regen: 19,665/minute

  Mana: 258,274

  Mana Regen: 87,642/minute (+200%)

  Active Quests:

  1. Greater Together: Find another Architect of the System and share what you have learned about your occupation while learning what they know. This quest must be completed within 250 years

  2. Borrow from Other Systems (1/4)

  3. Forge and Enchant an Infinity Key. This item will allow the Ways to grow and the Fey System to fulfill its purpose.

  Titles:

  One Small Step/One Giant Leap

  Smarter than Your Average Bear V

  Here to Pump You Up V

  I’ve Got My Eye on You V

  Never Gonna Give Up V

  Hear the Thunder, Ride the Lightning V

  Hate the Game not the Playa III

  Words May Hurt Me but Sticks and Stones Never Will V

  Energizer Bunny II

  Monster Hunter III

  There Can Be Only One

  Mouse Slayer

  Dungeon Manager

  Life of the Party V

  On the Wagon II

  Unique

  Cybernetic Mind II

  Soul Progenitor III

  Flesh Builder IV

  System Intermediary II

  A Precise Touch V

  Balance in All Things III

  Blessed of the Huntsman

  Tinker with All Systems

  Master of the Gauntlet

  Inspiration—International

  Ally of the Sacred Root II

  Settler II

  Pawn or Knight

  Unmoored in Time

  Osgood Effect

  System Mediator II

  Cut off the Head

  Defiant II

  Inner Family Member: House Kalestian

  Mark of Interest—Turga Family

  Mark of Interest—Aspen Family

  Blood Brother—Ryan Nexum

  Merchant of Death

  Dragon Slayer

  God Slayer

  Cosmos Slayer

  Speed Runner

  Oncoming Apocalypse

  Your Math’s not Mathing

  Skills:

  Running: 404

  Throwing: 142

  Jumping: 303

  Blunt Weapons: 565

  Staff Combat: 571

  Short Blades: 610

  Grappling: 626

  Defensive Fighting: 998

  Sneak Attack: 400

  Slashing Weapons—Life Slash: 1031

  Polearms: 990

  Aerial Combat: 835

  Piercing Weapons—All In: 1025

  Natural Weapon Fighting: 876

  Read the Room: 209

  Stealth: 663

  Hide: 554

  Climbing: 154

  Gliding: 25

  Diplomacy: 106

  Trainer: 460

  Mana Channeling: 1006

  Oration: 51

  Persuasion: 82

  Expand Spell: 58

  Multi-Target Spell: 215

  Dual Casting: 64

  Empowered Casting: 185

  Focus-Based Casting: 139

  Channel Mana—Other: 141

  Extend Spell: 10

  Mana Manipulation: 5

  Primal Abilities:

  Trailblazer’s Mind

  Active Abilities:

  The Majesty of Space—Seed-Bearer of the Ways (Legendary 88%)

  Force Construct Mastery—Persistent (Legendary 17%)

  Lightning Arc Mastery (Epic 84%)

  Self-Propagation (Epic 32%)

  Inheritance: Spirit Walk (Legendary 3%)

  Inheritance 2: Spirit Singing (Legendary 67%)

  Inheritance 3: Terrakinesis—Colonizer (Legendary 1%)

  Inheritance 4: Blip (Legendary 2%)

  Passive Abilities:

  Halo of the Immortal (Ascendant 1%)

  Blood is Life (Ascendant 2%)

  Trailblazer’s Aura (Legendary 7%)

  Feral Charisma (Legendary 3%)

  Inactive Abilities:

  Hunter’s Tether (Rare 66%)

  Mana Body (Epic 8%)

  Core Spells:

  Terran Rail Gun (Legendary 3%)

  Primordial Surge (Epic 24%)

  My Friends Sing My Praises—My Enemies Dread the Sound (Epic 26%)

  Celestial Restoration (Epic 84%)

  Area Flight (Epic 39%)

  Diversity of Cold (Epic 1%)

  Team Builder’s Physical Buff (Epic 10%)

  Assassin’s Veil (Epic 25%)

  Banishing Reaver (Epic 3%)

  Devil Bane (Rare 28%)

  Vitae Spear (Epic 54%)

  Summon Eidolon—Pocket Dimension (Legendary 1%)

  Clean (Rare 72%)

  Entropic Star (Rare 5%)

  Mana Filtration (Rare 1%)

  Time Pool (Legendary 6%)

  Repair (Legendary 1%)

  Uncommon Spells

  Barbs of Slowing (Uncommon 99%)

  Magical Acceleration (Uncommon 99%)

  Traits:

  Forerunner

  Identify (Epic 10%)

  Non-Linear Translate (Epic 9%)

  Loot—Upgrader (Legendary 1%)

  Save for Winter—Spatial Heart (Unique-Ascendant 0%)

  Identification Map (Rare 86%)

  Speak to the Stars (Pseudo-Ascendant 1%)

  Group, Raid, Home Team, Forerunners, Pioneers, Vanguard, Alliance Command, Science and Research

  Lifer

  Inheritor I

  Infinite Polyglot

  Boons:

  Boon of the Staff

  Stat gains per level:

  Strength: +45

  Dexterity: +27

  Agility: +35

  Vitality: +50

  Durability: +50

  Endurance: +40

  Mind: +45

  Will: +45

  Perception: +49

  Charisma: +40

  Free stat points +70

  Storage Items of Note:

  Anklet of Aura Projection (Epic)

  Ring of Life Burst (Epic)

  Wayfinder (Legendary, Upgradeable, Soul-Bonded)

  Racial Trait Addition Stone (Legendary): Blood Born

  Toe Ring of the Phased Step

  Belt of the Manifest Vitality (Legendary)

  Band of Vibrant Heart (Lesser Artifact)

  Remnant of Eternity

  Mercury Mirror Golem (Artifact+)

  Rare-Tier Items for Upgrade: (Now epic or legendary)

  Personal Floating Mine Set

  Rapid Fire Plasma Rifle

  Potion of Clarity

  Daily Use 3-Point Planetary Teleportation Relay

  Bio-genetic Enhancer–Transformative

  Dagen’s Sword of Sharpness

  Legendary-Tier Class Shards:

  Pristine Class Shard (Legendary): Archon of Life and Vitae

  Ascendant-Tier Class Shards:

  Pristine Class Shard (Ascendant): Astral Shaper

  Other:

  Ascendant-Tier Tutor Token

  Two System Synergy Orbs

  Two Legendary Ability Upgrade Stones

  Legendary Racial Evolution Aid

  A One-Minute-Long Conversation Directly with the Heavens

  Seven Soul Gems (Uncommon)

  Life Mana Crystal

  Three Potions of Clarity (Legendary)

  Three Potions of XP Acceleration (Legendary)

  Cracked Spacetime Gem (Ascendant)

  Crystallized Key of the Ways

  Potion of Awakening (Artifact)

  Three Stat Boon Potions (Artifact)

  Blood of the Herald

  Urg: Legendary (86%)—Guide of the Pack, The Way Forward, an unbound primordial echo

  ( 300% of Silas’ base stats after his stat effectiveness bonuses have been applied)

  Ability Imitation (Legendary 6/7):

  The Majesty of Space

  Blood is Life

  Hunter’s Tether

  Force Projection Mastery

  Spirit Singing

  Lightning Arc Mastery

  Spell Imitation (Legendary 4/5):

  Celestial Restoration

  Cloud of Mana Disruption

  Primordial Surge

  Diversity of Cold

  Abilities:

  Thunderous Taunt

  Bastion of Sound

  Protective Encasement

  Astral Ideation

  Blip

  Stats: 879.081 (Effective x 300%)

  Strength: 100,000

  Dexterity: 40,000

  Agility: 100,000

  Vitality: 120,000

  Durability: 120,000

  Endurance: 40,000

  Mind: 120,000

  Will: 120,000

  Charisma: 19,081

  Perception: 100,000

  Other Books by the Author

  Watcher’s Test

  Watcher’s Question

  Watcher’s Fate

  Watcher’s Repose

  An Unwitting Prince

  A Temperamental Enchantress

  She Who Befriends Monsters (TBD)

  Exile’s Return (TBD)

  Exile’s Revenge (TBD)

  Exile’s Triumph (TBD)

  *

  Class Shift - Uncontrolled

  Class Shift - Unbalanced

  Class Shift - Unstoppable

  *

  Shaman’s Call - Frostburn

  Shaman’s Call - Spirit Song

  Shaman’s Call - Waking World (TBD)

  *

  Dragon Sorcerer - Claws Out

  Dragon Sorcerer - Wings Spread

  Dragon Sorcerer - Tail Smash