Chapter 43: 40. Stick, Quiver, and Gloom

We walk past several of the homes. All have been left untouched for years. Surprisingly, they still look relatively hospitable. The homes are organized in an orderly unit. Each block contains four houses. We pass several of these blocks before we get to the bigger homes. These appear to be the main buildings for the community. The most prominent building is what seems to be the community building. 

This building almost reaches the top of the cavern. It looks to be the size of a couple housing blocks in width and length. The community center has many windows and walkways that are visible on the outside. None of the walkways are accessible from the outside. 

Except for the large community building, all the remaining buildings seem much more regular in scale. There looks to be a blacksmith, kitchen hall, general goods store, tavern, and some farms. I guess the essential 'holed up in a cave until we die or become a dungeon' starter build. Makes sense to me.

The last buildings in the settlement is incredibly dark. And that is saying something for being in a pitch black cavern. This building, in particular, seems to meld with the darkness. I follow Gene into the room to find it just about completely empty. The room is basically a square with no furniture except a soft rug in the middle of the floor. Off to the right side of the entrance is another door. This leads to a closet, which Gene motions for me toward. 

Inside the closet is a chest. It is entirely black with no fancy adornments on the outside of it. Gene joins me in the small closet, places her hand above the chest, and utters some words I don't understand. Energy flows from Gene into the trunk, then, with a slight pop, the top begins to split in half as it opens. 

A large bundle of flowing darkness is the first that catches my attention. Its material looks like it is made from shadow itself and is tougher than any cord that I have been able to create. Despite the toughness of the material, the robe is soft and flexible.

The second item is a black quiver pack loaded with arrows etched with runes. The quiver has its own set of pockets and pouches on the exterior, with what looks to be two sheaths attached to the underside. Covering the inside of the quiver are runes that match the arrows. To complete the holster is a shoulder strap and hip belt, both of which have quick release mechanisms. I'm willing to bet I am looking at one of the most luxurious quivers sure to make the most skilled archers jealous. 

"What you will find in my storage chest are my two favorite items." Gene interrupts my fondling with some explanations. "The ring stores Bo, a magical weapon enhanced with runes and shadow. And the robe was my battle robe. Bring them out, and I will tell you about them. The other item, the over-compensated quiver, is the backup plan. Bring all of them out to me."

Following her instructions, I grab the ring, quiver, and robe and meet Gene in the main room. "As I said, the quiver is a backup plan. Useful for when you run into pesky silencing lancers such." Gene explains as I examine the intricate quiver I hold in my right hand.

"It is a combination pack and quiver made to minimize bulk. It recalls the practically unbreakable arrows, allows you to carry a couple swords, and has three spatial pouches. The left side pouch is a space for Gloom. You will find space for bedding material on the right, and on the back is a large pouch for miscellaneous non-organic items. 

"The combo quiver probably wouldn't be in the chest if it wasn't for the spatial pockets attached and the sheaths for the fine swords I used to own, Spark and Shimmer. However, to aid in the last stand defense, I gave the swords to Dregaur, our strongest swordsman. I imagine the fine blades are now in the hands of the goblin horde. That being said, this is now yours. Do with it as you want."

"I think I ran into a lancer like that. They can take your powers away, right?" I ask, recalling my fight back on top of Mount Tall. 

"Exactly like the dark lancer you fought earlier. You might have even noticed that Fury has a similar ability. Skilled lancers can even silence specific targets allowing allies to use their powers while their enemies can not."

"Are silencing lancers so prevalent the backup plan is required."

"Most night lancers have silencing power, and even some runist have the same capability. The elite mercenary nation responsible for my people's eradication from the Ebony Woods, The Blacks from The Land of Whispers, specialize in silencing magic and hand-to-hand combat. However, they are more the exception than the rule. Though they aren't the most common lancers, it is better to be prepared for the encounter when you can't rely on your power."

I nod my head in agreement. Luckily during my fight with the silencer and his crew, I wasn't completely unprepared and had most of our dining necessities already summoned.

"These two items, Gloom and Bo," she says, gesturing to the robe and ring in my left hand, "were once bound to me. When I became a spirit walker, the binding was severed. You will need to bind these items to yourself before you can use their full potential. As you have bound your minion, you will find that this process is quite similar. First, adorn these items and then bind them."

"What about the quiver?" I earnestly ask, not wanting to sound ungrateful. "Does that not need to be bound?"

"The quiver is bound to Gloom, a part of the robe. The quiver will be bound to you as long as you have the robe."

With no further questions, I follow her instruction and start the binding process with the ring, which I place on my left middle finger. When the connection establishes between my core and the ring, I feel a bit of mana from my dark core rush into the ring. The ring glows with mana until it is absorbed into my finger. Catching me off guard in the process. In place of where the ring once was, is now a rune.  

"Amazing, isn't it?" Passion replaces the indifferent tone apparent during the quiver explanation as Gene introduces her prized possessions. 

"A warning would have been nice," I say though I'm not even in the slightest annoyed.

"And ruin this nice surprise? Nonsense."

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"The surprise of a ring disappearing?" I casually jest back.

"This is much better than a ring of cheap tricks. I hate rings and didn't stop pestering my runist until this magical creation was complete. This is a talisman of pure genius! Sure it isn't fashionable. However, what it lacks in fashion, it makes up for in comfort, and this ring will never be the cause of a finger dismemberment." Gene says enthusiastically. "Now, flick your runed finger and summon the weapon to your hand."

A flick and a thought later, a staff a few inches taller than me and about an inch and a half thick of solid black wood appears in my hand. It is heavier than I expect it to be and I am not entirely convinced that the staff is made of wood. Covering the entire staff is more runes. The runes are elegant and complicated, forming two distinct patterns covering the whole staff.

"This is Bo. Quickly bind this to yourself as well." 

I do as she says and bind the staff. 

"Good, good. Bo is my preferred weapon of choice. And though I am not much of a melee fighter, this staff helped me get through many close-range fights. It can become even more fierce as you learn to enhance it with your dark or even death mana in your case. 

"Bo is made out of the finest black wood found only in the heart of the Ebony Woods. This wood is as hard and durable as the best metals and is engraved with two runes. The first rune is a strong, simple command, don't break. The second rune is what makes this staff more special. Bo is both a bo staff and a bow. Hence the iconic name of Bo." 

I don't even hint at a smirk before Gene defends her name. "It isn't a good name, I know that, but I did not have an expert name conjurer at my side when I was tasked with naming it so please spare me any sly remarks."

"Ah, Gene, I would never…." I say, biting back my naming retorts. As if I am one to judge anyways. Though, Liam, my next name to try out, is a pretty good name. So maybe I am in a position to judge after all.

"Focus on the mana within Bo," Gene says, looking pleased for not getting blasted on her basic naming convention.

I did as she said and could feel the mana rushing through the staff.

"This is your mana. As such, it will react to your commands to a degree. Enhancements required for more flexibility were limited at the time. So you only have access to only two forms. I suppose it could be upgraded," Gene says quickly, cutting off the question she knew I was going to ask. "but that is a discussion for later. Depending on your command, Bo will take the form of either staff or bow."

I am sure the look on my face is one of wonder and excitement. Luckily Gene isn't withholding information and explains how it works.

"Now, with the mana in focus, I want you to picture a bow and command the staff to change.

Focussing on a bow, the staff takes the shape of a sleek recurve bow, complete with a cord that seems to be made of mana. Despite the weight, it feels very well balanced in my hands. Pulling on the string, I am surprised by the amount of tension I feel at first. The tension lessens the further I pull back. I get the feeling that this bow is capable of great range and power. I slowly ease the tension on the bow, allowing the string to return to its rest.

Grabbing hold of the mana within Bo once more, I focus on a staff shape. The bow is transformed instantly into a staff roughly my same size in length. Again the weapon feels perfect in my hands. However, unlike weapons I have held before, this one feels the most unfamiliar. It is surprising in a way. Of all weapons I had experience with, a stick wasn't one of them. Seems like the most basic weapon. To be fair, it isn't exactly foreign in my hands. It just doesn't come with a sense of familiarity like a sword, bow, or even a spear. 

"Good, good. When we have more time, I will teach you the proper ways of fighting with a staff. I can see that you are already familiar with the bow. This is good. A shadow mage with a bow is a dangerous combo. Now focus on your ring and command it to store Bo."

I follow her instructions. Just as she says, Bo returns to the ring on my finger, which is currently a rune. 

These items are incredible, to say the least. And I can't help but smile as I summon Bo, alternate its forms, and un-summon Bo multiple times. To say that Bo far surpasses the simple bows I made earlier is a vast understatement. 

Similarly, the robe also requires mana. However, this time it is a bit more than Bo, and the connection feels alive. 

"Now, let me show you Gloom." Gene motions her hands over the robe. A sense of longing betrays her eyes.

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