26 Chapter 26
Aruno, standing amidst the aftermath of the intense battle, exuded an aura of dark crimson and black. The remnants of his rage lingered in the air, a palpable manifestation of the tumultuous emotions that had fueled his onslaught against the golem. The room, now transformed by the clash, bore witness to the lingering echoes of Aruno's wrath.
With a stoic expression, Aruno gazed at his surroundings, his eyes still aglow with the remnants of Divinity. In a decisive motion, he drew his dagger from the Arcanum, its gleaming blade reflecting the ambient crimson hues. Aruno raised the dagger, its edge poised against the long strands of his once-white hair, now stained with the darkened residue of the golem's essence.
In a swift and deliberate motion, Aruno severed the flowing locks, each strand falling to the crystalline floor. The air, heavy with the scent of blood and magic, bore witness to the symbolic act of liberation. As the last remnants of his long hair descended, Aruno's countenance revealed a newfound determination, his gaze fixed on the path ahead.
"Too much baggage," Aruno murmured, his voice cutting through the silence. The coldness of his words echoed in the crystalline expanse, a testament to the internal reckoning he underwent. "This needs to go. It's in the way."
The room, now marked by the aftermath of Aruno's transformative battle, held an air of profound stillness. The black and red aura surrounding him gradually subsided, leaving only the resolute figure of a warrior ready to confront the mysteries that awaited beyond the crystalline confines.
A notification materialized within Aruno's Arcanum, its ethereal glow catching his attention. The words on the screen formed a message that sent ripples through the fabric of his understanding.
<< Secret Quest Complete >>
Aruno's eyes widened as he read the words, a mix of surprise and curiosity coloring his expression. The completion of a secret quest hinted at layers of destiny intertwining with his journey. The anticipation of the reward awaited him, the Arcanum unfolding the next chapter of his evolving abilities.
The notification on Aruno's Arcanum unveiled not only the reward but also provided a detailed description of the newfound skill, "Revival":
<< Reward Unlocked: Revival >>
Revival - a formidable skill that allows the wielder to bring defeated enemies back to life. To activate this ability, the physical presence of the fallen must remain intact, preserving the essence required for the revival process. Once invoked, Revival grants the wielder control over the resurrected entities, turning them into loyal allies. The effectiveness of this skill is tied to the strategic prowess and magical strength of the user.
As the description unfolded, the implications of Revival became clear to Aruno. A surge of power and responsibility coursed through him, resonating with the echoes of battles fought and the destiny threads that continued to weave the tapestry of his extraordinary journey.
Aruno, surrounded by the mystical glow of his Arcanum, approached the fallen golem with purpose. The pulsating aura of red and black seemed to intensify as he reached into the depths of his power. As his fingers extended towards the dormant entity, a holographic screen materialized before him, prompting the selection of a designated command.
<< Pick Desired Command >>
In that pivotal moment, Aruno contemplated the significance of the word he would choose. It wasn't just a command; it was a binding decree that would shape the essence of the revived golem. With a resolute expression, he entered the chosen word on the holographic screen.
"Renewal."
The chosen word echoed through the crystalline room, resonating with the very fabric of the magical realm. The golem, once lifeless, began to stir with newfound vitality. Its form shimmered with ethereal energy as it rose, transformed into a revenant bound by Aruno's command.
The visual impact of the revived entity, coupled with the weight of the chosen word, reverberated through the room. Aruno, now a master of a unique ability, gazed upon the awakened golem with a sense of triumph. The echoes of his command lingered in the air, marking a significant milestone in his journey and unlocking the potential for even greater feats in the chapters that lay ahead.
The revived golem, now infused with the essence of Aruno's command, emanated a resonant hum that echoed through the crystalline expanse. Its once dark glow took on a fiery hue, a manifestation of the red and black energy coursing through its reconstructed form. The transformation was accompanied by ethereal sound effects, a mysterious symphony of otherworldly tones.
As the golem stood tall, the ambient sounds it emitted reverberated in the air, adding an otherworldly quality to its presence. The red and black aura enveloped it like a cloak, pulsating in synchronization with its rhythmic hum. The room, once a battleground, now bore witness to the tangible manifestation of Aruno's mastery over his unique ability.
The echoes of the arcane sounds filled the air, the crystalline surroundings responding to the transformed golem. The ambient magic, woven into the very fabric of the realm, danced in harmony with the awakened entity. Aruno, having unlocked this extraordinary skill, marveled at the profound connection he now shared with the golem, a testament to the intricacies of the Arcanum and the uncharted territories of his evolving destiny.
As Aruno stood amidst the crystalline aftermath of the intense battle, a digital screen manifested before him, its luminescence cutting through the ambient glow of the room.
<< Please provide name >>
Aruno's eyes, tinged with a mix of exhaustion and intrigue, scanned the reanimated golem, its red and black aura pulsating with a newfound vitality. The silent hum of the room seemed to echo the weight of the decision ahead.
In a deliberate pause, Aruno's hand hovered over the holographic keyboard. The letters, bathed in the soft glow of the screen, awaited his command. The room, once filled with the clash of magic and steel, now stood frozen in this pivotal moment.
With a steady resolve, Aruno began to type, each keystroke resonating with purpose. The name he chose carried a weight of significance, a testament to the bond forged in the crucible of battle. As the final letter materialized on the screen, the room seemed to exhale, accepting the chosen identity.
"Okay, I think I found a name. Now rise.."
<< Behemoth >>
The name hung in the air, an ethereal whisper that merged with the lingering echoes of the recent conflict. The red and black glow surrounding the golem responded, pulsating with a newfound resonance. The room, bathed in the aura of its rebirth, bore witness to the emergence of Behemoth—the golem reawakened under Aruno's command.
Ko, witnessing the spectacle from the background, couldn't contain his awe. "What the heck, Aruno? That's insane! Bringing a golem back to life. That's some next-level Arcanum mastery!"
Rin, Yoru, and Serenia exchanged looks of amazement and curiosity. Rin, with her newly acquired gun, couldn't help but grin.
"Okay, Aruno, you just leveled up in the cool factor. Can you teach us that trick?"
Yoru, with a playful smirk, added, "Seriously, is that part of the standard Arcanum package, or did you get some exclusive DLC?"
Serenia, a mixture of pride and intrigue in her expression, chimed in, "Aruno, you've always been special, but this takes it to a whole new level. What other surprises do you have up your sleeve?"
Aruno, still immersed in the aftermath of the battle, explained, "It's part of the Arcanum. After defeating the golem, the system notified me that I completed a secret quest, and as a reward, I gained the skill called "Revival" defeated enemies under my command. Pretty wild, right?"
Ko, overhearing the conversation, couldn't contain his excitement.
"Dude, that's beyond wild! It's like having your own personal army. Can you revive anything? Like, what about a dragon? Or a giant spider? Or a really powerful cat?"
Aruno chuckled, "I'm not sure about a cat, but the system did mention limitations. It seems to depend on the complexity and power of the creature. But the possibilities are intriguing."
Rin, with a mischievous grin, added, "That's cool and all, Aruno, but where are you supposed to stash this big, glowing golem? You can't just shove it in your 'shadow' like a certain someone, can you?"
Aruno chuckled, "Well, it doesn't exactly go into my shadow, but I've got a way to manage it. We'll figure out the logistics, but for now, let's focus on getting stronger. There's a lot more to uncover in this realm, and who knows what challenges lie ahead."
"Alright, let's make a command so I can release and absorb it at will."
"Absorb."
With a focused thought, the golem seamlessly absorbed back into him, leaving no trace of its presence. The newfound skill showcased the versatile capabilities of Aruno's Arcanum, and the group continued their exploration, aware that the challenges in this mysterious realm were far from over.
As they ventured deeper into the crystalline realm, Aruno couldn't resist teasing the group.
"Maybe you guys will complete a secret quest too and get a skill as cool as mine," he said with a playful grin, adding a touch of sarcasm to his words. The banter lightened the mood, creating a camaraderie that echoed through the crystalline corridors.