Chapter 37: Chapter 36 Dreams Of Grandeur

The elderly man watched Helios’ face with abject terror, his body becoming transparent with every passing moment. A golden light grew to illuminate his colourless features from within. His figure dispersed into a final stream of light that flowed toward Helios’ demonic offering, cementing its form. Helios glanced at Tuktuk as his Echo form silently glided up beside him.

 

“Tuktuk is impressed. He has never seen anyone break the dream before. It’s a very effective strategy for feeding the offering,” Tuktuk praised.

 

The scene around them collapsed with the last of the golden light entering Helios’ black mantle. The pair returned to the workbench in their true form, not having moved an inch. Helios was still garbed in the silken cross vest and black harem pants. Over it all was the protective vest coat assembled from countless interlocked hexagon plates. 

 

He rubbed the strange material between his fingertips, feeling their smooth surface. Tuktuk picked up the black and white stones from the workbench. He gestured Helios closer and motioned for him to lean in. 

 

“Pay attention, this is how you augment a Nightmare item. The dreamer is now catatonic in the Mortal realm, he will never wake. Because of this, we can stimulate the remnants of his consciousness to adapt to the object’s form when we mutate or change owners. But it also allows us to modify things or feed them to become stronger,” Tuktuk informed him. He had never released his hold on Helios’ web after returning to Hell. 

 

Helios felt his intangible tendrils brush against the mantle, triggering golden light to appear on the surface. Tuktuk tugged on Helios’ lapels to pull him closer. Using a second pair of hands, he held the black and white stones on opposing sides of the collar. The elemental stones sank into the golden light and feral teeth emerged to affix them in place.

 

“Why have you added the stones?” Helios couldn’t resist asking as Tuktuk released his web.

 

“The black Unda stone represents the element of water. It’s found everywhere this close to the Birthing Pools. The white Ube stone represents the element of miasma. It’s most common near the city of Libidine. We’re in luck, they’re complementary elements so the array is relatively simple. When referring to the Sigils in arrays, we call them Runes. For these two, we only need the Epps Rune, the first King of Fastidium,” Tuktuk instructed. 

 

He used a finger to etch over the surface of each stone. Burning light appeared behind every finger stroke, forming twin symbols on either side. They briefly flared and sank into the stones to illuminate them from within, quickly fading away.

 

“Okay, that doesn’t explain anything and just leaves me with more questions. You’ve told me what they represent. But, what do they do?” Helios asked in confusion.

 

“On their own when activated by a mage or Nightmare tool; Unda stone has the properties of split, sharp, and multiply. You would have discovered that using your staff. Ube stone is completely different, it has the properties of lightweight, toxic, and intangible. You will feel your mantle is now significantly lighter. Connected together through the use of an array is when things get interesting. Unda and Ube fuse together to create an additional thorn effect, perfect for a defensive garment. Or in this case, an offensive one. When someone strikes you, they will receive a recoil amount of damage. It could be lethal. Hehehe!” Tuktuk replied with a giggle of glee.

 

After his words, Helios plucked at the mantle and examined himself. He gave a twirl and then tugged it into place and brushed it flat. He grinned at Tuktuk in satisfaction. Tuktuk pulled his hammer from his waist and gave Helios’ protective vest a tap. The hammer flew spinning out of his hand across the room to clatter against the wall. It disappeared in a puff of smoke to reappear in Tuktuk’s hand. 

 

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Tuktuk gave the hammer a flamboyant toss in the air, holding open his belt holster. He gave Helios a playful wink as it dropped back into place.

 

“Haha, that’s a useful effect to have,” Helios observed.

 

“You’ve got that right. Most Dolore do not survive their first attempt at a Nightmare tool. That’s why an apprenticeship doesn’t traditionally start until one becomes a Luminare,” Tuktuk commented. Helios’ face dropped and he spun toward him.

 

“What, you only thought to tell me that now? This is my life you’re playing with!” Helios exclaimed, his face contorting into a snarl of rage.

 

“Pfft, who would Tuktuk be if he couldn’t overcome such a small obstacle? A Dolore is still a child and that’s the best time to teach. As Nightmare Dimmane pointed out to your Familia. Until reaching Luminare, you merely adopt your fledgeling demonic form. All that’s required is to devour essence. Now it’s different, life force is still required but you must forge your own path forward. We’ll speak more of this when the time comes,” Tuktuk scoffed, waving away his objections.

 

“Then what about a Primus, what would happen to them?” Helios challenged.

 

“A Primus wouldn’t even be capable of attempting it. A mage-seedling is rare to develop so early. Not many think outside the box and strengthen the shackles of their captivity. That is even more true when they discover how much more difficult it is for a mage to progress through stages. Enough of this, it’s time for you to attempt artificing on your own. Tuktuk will accompany you but will not interfere unless necessary,” Tuktuk replied, he tossed a Dolore tooth into Helios’ arms who awkwardly caught it.

 

“More difficult?” Helios asked, stunned by the revelation.

 

“Don’t worry. With Tuktuk’s guidance, it will be trivial,” Tuktuk answered, throwing a flask which Helios expertly caught now he was prepared. “Use that sparingly. The Genesis Aqua only needs to cover the surface.”

 

“Alright, I know what I need to do,” Helios confidently replied. He held the tooth in one hand and soaked it in the black liquid. It glowed with orange light as it dripped between his fingers onto the floor.

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