Priam
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Chapter 184: Requiem for a Dream
🕑 Added 2024-02-08 01:37:31 +0000 UTCI think it's time for all the actors to come on stage. Enjoy!
Next chapter: Friday
*
Do you wish to unleash Fire?
"Yes!"
Responding to Priam's will, the chain oppressing the egg shattered. The Concept hibernating inside must have eagerly awaited this moment as the shell began to glow. The chrysalis quivered like a Pokéball before exploding.
A torrent of flames engulfed Priam's soul space. Full of fury, they crashed against his soul and Sumstreh’s divine mark. Fearful that the Concept might destroy the tampered structure, thus alerting the Fallen, Priam attempted to tame it—without success.
He sighed with relief as the divine threads making up the mark trembled before stabilizing. Despite all its power, this new fire wasn't yet capable of bending the work of an ancient god.
Enraged by its failure, the fiery onslaught continued towards the limits of the soul space. The boundary was materialized by a protective sphere, the spiritual seat of Priam's Domain.
The brutal charge of fire struck the Supremacy from within, causing it to swell like a balloon. Priam screamed in pain as he felt the orb expand under the pressure. Simultaneously, his new racial Talent reflected the damage to his body; some cells boiled, others exploded. Priam spat blood as [Tenacious Spirit] took over his damaged brain.
A few seconds later, the spiritual flames receded like the tide, leaving the protection of his soul space in a sorry state. Such damage could lead to ego erosion and the onset of madness. [Homo Elysian Obsession] transformed that by linking body and soul. Priam's vitality, boosted by his temporary attributes, surpassed four thousand. In seconds, his physical wounds healed, mending his soul in the process.
Wiping blood from his mouth, Priam was surprised to find that the radius of his Domain had doubled, multiplying its volume by eight. The use of Supremacy had become second nature over time. Thanks to it, Priam perceived every breeze, every temperature gradient, and could use any skill outside his body.
A two-meter radius sphere of authority was nice, but perhaps it was possible to further increase its volume? The expansion of Priam's Domain was directly linked to the growth of his soul space. The explosion of his new Concept had enlarged the authority bubble surrounding his soul. Thanks to [Homo Elysian Obsession], the sphere had adapted to his new volume.
Theoretically, I could increase the size of my soul space without purifying my soul. The last thing Priam needed was for the System to declare his soul apocryphal.
Noticing the boost received, Priam decided to transform his friend into Homo Elysian. His new race was even more exceptional than he had imagined. The Duatians could also enhance their Domain, but [Soul Duality] offered no specific adaptation. Moreover, soul wounds were harder to heal than physical ones.
Priam could heal his body thanks to his terrifying vitality, but Duatians did not have access to such a capability. If even a scar remained on the body, the soul would be scarred. There came the point where, tired, the soul refused to heal, thus preventing the body from regenerating completely. Duatians had developed biomancy and necromancy to overcome these issues but never managed to eliminate them entirely.
Fortunately for Priam, he had [He Who Eludes Death].
[Timer - completion of the sigil in 1 min 34 s]
Brought back to reality by his system, Priam focused on his new Concept. It had replaced the Fire Concept and orbited around his soul. The spark had such an intense aura that it seemed capable of producing plasma.
Fire evolves into Pyro!
[Pyro - Concept] - The fragment of a shattered Concept from an eighth throne Candidate. Let the failure of its creator be your stepping stone.
You still master the Fire Concept.
Affinity - Your connection now lets you grasp certain truths about Pyro and manipulate it.
Natural Affinity: 60%.
Priam remained momentarily bewildered reading the name of his Concept. Pyro meant fire in ancient Greek. It was obviously a translation by the System, but in fantasy culture, pyromancy was the magic of fire. Pyro was a magical fire.
"As for what kind of magic we're talking about..."
Priam surveyed the battlefield. The dark island protecting the Tier 2s and the sigil continued to resist his assault. Outside the sea of flames, the corrupted horde continued to kill each other. A few flying undeads still attacked him, but his add-on had his back.
It was time to test his new Concept. Priam injected Pyro into his flames, which turned pure white. The horde paused momentarily, sensing the belligerent Concept's presence. The waves of fire crashing against the dark dome froze before redoubling in intensity. The impact sent incandescent sprays into the air that never came back down.
Priam widened his eyes at the phenomenon: the air was burning.
Sharing Pyro's perception, Priam noticed that his flames were no longer consuming just flesh, wood, and bones but also the earth and even water. This should have been impossible: fire was rapid oxidation, and the two hydrogens of a water molecule were already bound to the oxygen atom. The hydrogen being oxidized, water had already burned.
Clearly, the laws of chemistry did not stop Pyro. All Tier 1 Concepts have a particularity, Priam recalled. Mist could conceal his presence, and Pyro could burn any material. Understanding how was undoubtedly necessary to advance his mastery of the Concept, but a glance at the timer confirmed that it was not the time.
Priam applied his will to his flames, urging them to quickly devour the Tier 2 fortress. A few seconds later, the dark dome began to crack before collapsing. An infernal sky descended upon the Tier 2s.
Skills were cast, delaying the cataclysm. Recalling the flames that had developed by consuming the horde, Priam threw all his strength into the battle. Pyro, enhanced by a sea of fire and Conquest Aura, crushed the resistance of the Tier 2s. Engulfed by the deluge of flames, chained by their ritual, the corrupted officers succumbed one after another.
Event: Necromoon.
Banishment of a corrupted (Tier 2 - Baron) - Sun points +1 000
…
Event: Necromoon.
Banishment of a corrupted (Tier 2 - Viscount) - Sun points +10 000
Just as a hint of a smile appeared on Priam's face, he erased it: the sigil was glowing.
"... Fuck."
Like a pierced canvas, a bloody portal pierced reality. A bloody intent descended on the valley, knotting Priam's stomach. From the opening emerged the giant skull of a skeleton. The creature began to contort to step in Elysium, and Priam braced himself. Despite the terrifying presence emanating from the corrupted, he had no intention of backing down.
[Identification]
[Necro Giant Tyrannical - Tier 3 - Corrupted - Viscount] - A corrupted giant native to Necro-verse. Even as a simple legionnaire of the Necro army, this soldier is dangerous.
Corruption: Stage 3 - Necro Court Viscount.
Beware of contamination.
Lvl Up: [Identification] lvl 12
MEM +1
Sorts of purple smoke clung to the skeleton's bones, licking the air. Its orbits were glowing with an unholy gleam. The nightmarish appearance of the Necromoon’s servant was tainting the world.
Clenching his teeth, Priam summoned back his flames around him, as if to warm himself. A fireball as tall as a twenty-story building condensed around him. The legionnaire's attention was drawn to the light, and a spasm of terror shook Priam.
Lvl Up : [True Will] lvl 4
WILL +18
CHAR +9
[Tribulation]: One attribute above 900 was detected in Tier 0.
A Tribulation is coming.
Time: 166 days 16 hours 1 minute 12 seconds.
The hex evoking a supernatural fear in Priam broke. Trembling with anger, he clenched his jaw so hard that some teeth shattered. Priam could accept losing but not being ridiculed.
"I won't run," he murmured, as much for himself as for the world. Priam was pragmatic but also proud. [He Who Eludes Death] was primed, and he had a considerable margin before his Tribulations became deadly. In victory as in defeat, this battle would increase his power.
Suppressing his emotions, Priam focused on the fight. Arming Promesse, he aimed for the giant's vertebrae, hoping to decapitate it. His motionless opponent seemed more interested in the Necromoon than in him. Might as well capitalize on it.
Over a kilometer away, Priam sniped the monster. His spear, boosted by his attributes and a colossal amount of kinetic energy, hit the opponent's neck, making it stagger. Priam winced as he noted that the purple smoke clinging to the creature had absorbed most of the kinetic energy. Even so, its constitution is above five thousand.
The attack drew the giant's attention. It leaped, creating a crater where it stood. Seeing the colossal mass approaching, Priam fused with his flames. The giant's hand pierced his nova without touching the Fire Champion.
The next moment, the world of flame trembled before exploding, ejecting Priam's body. The light of the Necromoon bathed the valley, preventing the Unity between the Fire Champion and his Concept. Surprised, Priam did not have time to react to the ivory fist that hit him.
Like a comet, Priam crashed violently on the slope of a hill bordering the valley. Only his constitution increased by Conquest saved him. Opening an eye to watch the skeleton, Priam let out a groan of pain. According to Micro, his human heart had exploded, pierced by half a dozen rib fragments. His chest was in a sorry state, and his spinal cord was severed. Without Micro, Priam would have been paralyzed.
The pain increased as his vitality regenerated his body, trapping the bone fragments in his organs. Clenching his teeth, Priam overclocked his muscles to sit up. He would have preferred to operate himself to restore his body, but the approaching necro legionnaire deprived him of that solution.
Using Promesse as a crutch, Priam limped toward the giant. The latter's gait seemed confident, indicating an intellect superior to a mere zombie.
Priam intended to make him regret his attitude. With a thought, he recalled the huge fireball still hovering above the valley. Simultaneously, he opened his mouth and inhaled.
The ambient aether trembled before rushing into his spiritual lung. The giant lost its assurance and accelerated. Apparently, respect for dragons was multiversal.
The nova and the skeleton arrived at the same time. The former rushed into Priam's throat, charged with Pyro and Conquest. The latter closed its hand on the Homo Elysian and pressed.
[Kinetic Control] failed to immobilize the giant, the authority of the skill finding no grip on the giant's aura. As his shoulders dislocated under pressure and his organs exploded, Priam changed targets. Applying [Kinetic Control] to himself, he turned his body into a statue to withstand the squeezing. His meridians groaned under the amount of energy he absorbed every second. His skill and constitution struggled to keep him alive.
Suddenly, the giant's bones turned crimson as the legionnaire turned serious. The next instant, the pressure increased tenfold. One of Priam’s main meridians gave way under the aether flow. In a gory explosion, his torso exploded. His spiritual lung destabilized before bursting, releasing the entirety of the Breath.
The skeleton screamed first in rage and then in pain.
*
Dishnu squinted as a second dawn rose over the valley. A nova vaporized part of the Necromoon's servant before illuminating the valley. A thousand corrupted were freed from their chain as the entire side of a hill caught fire.
The Guardian of the Forest looked at the flames sadly. How many thousands, tens of thousands of peaceful plants had perished since the beginning of this cataclysmic battle? Too many. This world, like many others, was based on a fragile ecosystem, but most of his rivals were blind to it. Even the First, despite his connection to one of them, was blind to this reality.
However, the Necromoon and its minions were worse; a plague that had to be fought with all his might. Seeing the giant stagger and then fall to its knees, Dishnu decided to seize the opportunity offered by his rival. Already, the sepulchral light of the Necromoon began to regenerate the missing skull of the giant.
Invoking the blessing of the forest, Dishnu leaped.
*
Mirscella’s Tribulation.
"Here, my dear. Happy birthday!"
The doll was beautiful, but that was insignificant compared to the rest. Her mother's genuine smile and tender gaze almost brought a tear to Mirscella's eye. She knew this reality was a façade, yet the woman's love felt so palpable. For someone who had lost her parents at a tender age, this vision was a blessing. Clutching the doll close, Mirscella’s eyes searched for an escape route, a way to triumph over the Tribulation.
A part of her couldn't help but return a smile to her mother.
*
At thirteen, Mirscella's routine involved pilfering to quell her hunger. She remembered having to evade the Soviet police.
In this dream, hunger was a distant memory as she was mastering the violin. Discovering a true talent for music, she used it as a vessel to express her emotions.
Several months into her Tribulation, Mirscella performed before a crowd at an end-of-year ball. Her performance was met with warm applause.
Mirscella bowed, a smile on her lips. She had played exceptionally well, and her healthy brain hadn't betrayed her. Parkinson's was a distant memory, allowing her fingers to dance to the music she had composed for her parents from another life.
*
At the age of nineteen, she crossed paths with André once again. The passionate young man dedicated himself to animal shelters, and Mirscella didn’t need to stab him for a loaf of bread. His brilliant personality, sincere smile, and generous ideas soon captivated her heart. Restaurant lunches, romantic strolls, and idyllic getaways—Mirscella let herself be wooed.
Her studies were meaningful, her family loving and her friends charming. The trap of the Tribulation was closing in, and she knew it. Yet, Mirscella finally felt alive.
*
Hearing the cry of the newborn, Mirscella let her tears flow. The former thief wouldn't have allowed such displays of weakness, but a mother was entitled to it.
Since her marriage to André, time passed at a normal speed. If before the world had the properties of a dream, now it seemed more like a reality. Was it still an illusion? The taste of food was real, the music made her heart beat, and André's love was warm.
In her arms, her daughter's two dark eyes sparkled. Mirscella was convinced that everyone possessed a soul in this alternate reality.
Swimming in bliss, the young woman wondered if this world was a way for the Concepts to apologize.
Another cry echoed, and Mirscella forgot her questions.
*
"You've got it in your blood, Mom!" exclaimed Katarina, landing on the ground. The teenager had developed a passion for martial arts, and Mirscella decided to train with her.
"... In another life, I was a thief," winked Mirscella.
Amused, Katarina burst into laughter. "Besides stealing Dad's heart, you're more used to giving. Or were you some kind of Robin Hood?"
Mirscella smiled. "I was too afraid to be generous. When all you have is money, it's hard to part with it. Today, with you and your father, I thank life by giving back."
Katarina returned her smile. "You could be super generous by buying me an outfit for the upcoming ball, do you know?"
Amused, Mirscella rolled her eyes.
*
"I'll go dry off," announced Mirscella as she got out of the water.
The joyful cries of her grandchildren drowned out André's response, but her husband's smile told her everything she needed to know: 'Go rest, my dear; I've got the little monsters.'
Wrapping herself in a beach towel, Mirscella smiled, watching her family play in the water. At sixty, life was still gentle with her. She had worked honestly and seized fulfilling professional opportunities. Now, she was surrounded by a happy family that discussed every problem without yelling. Mirscella was proud that her children confided in her willingly and even prouder of her relationship with André.
Grabbing a pen, Mirscella smiled. Her body had also escaped the shadow of disease. The former thief didn't possess supernatural powers, but she didn't need them to be happy and fulfilled.
Opening her bag, Mirscella glimpsed the gleaming blade of a dagger. Instinctively, she knew she was presented with a choice. All she had to do was grasp it to exit her Tribulation.
A thin smile on her lips, Mirscella pushed the dagger away to retrieve a diary.
"Sorry. I hope you'll forgive me, but it's my decision."
Mirscella Tsevskaya sat on the pebbles, opened her diary, and began composing a melody.
"Requiem for a Dream."
*
Status:
PHYSICAL:
Strength 464
Constitution 827
Agility 470
Vitality 749
Perception 683
MENTAL:
Vivacity 416
Dexterity 517
Memory 314 (+1)
Willpower 909 (+26)
Charisma 585 (+15)
META:
Meta-affinity 415
Meta-focus 342
Meta-endurance 262
Meta-perception 201
Meta-chance 230
Meta-authority 24
Potential: 2228 (+5)
Tier 0
Sun points: 112 464 (+15 712)
[He Who Eludes Death] charge: PRIMED.
[Tribulation]: Three Tribulations pending.
Future Tribulations delayed until:
Time: 166 days 16 hours 2 minutes 39 seconds.
Next thresholds: 6 attributes > 600 / 3 attributes > 900
Comments
PriÀm
Oh? Do you have an example?
Zaim İpek
There is a lot of strange writing choices in the last few chapters that don't make sense, but I didn't feel the need to say anything until now. . . According to your own rules of how the world is supposed to work, it should be completely impossible for Priam to damage his own teeth by clenching his jaw too hard. He has almost no strength or bite enhancing skills, but he has several durability enhancing skills. Beyond that, his strength is 363 points LOWER than his constitution. You have done things like this before, but this one just feels worse because you have emphasized so much already how Priam has low strength in comparison to his other stats and how he is a constitution-focused build. But now you have him doing something normally only possible when strength is higher than constitution. And that doesn't even take into account his skills that make this double impossible.
Gabriel
Since requiem can mean a composition in honor of the dead, I’m pretty sure “requiem for a dream” means Mirscella is making a final song in remembrance of a dream that is about to die. In other words, she’s beating this tribulation while also giving a proper farewell to her dream family.
Baconwargod
It is Arnold killed the exact same tier of undead with the exact same nobility tier a few chapters back and it was announced as a Mythic Achievement.
_mori
Priam’s status doesn’t say he’s spent the charge for [he who elude’s death] so hopefully he’s still got something up his sleeve? If he still has conquest going then his vitality shouldn’t have much of an issue restoring him in short term? Who knows. Could also be that the damage he suffered spread to his soul and he’s currently catatonic. I hope that’s not the case though. I’d love to see Priam evolve his nobility with a solo kill. And iirc (probably), killing this viscount by himself would make him a Prince? That and this has to be a mythical achievement at least? Plus it’d be another 100k points easily.
Augustus
That is the feeling I got as well, as a way to remember this nice dream.
PriÀm
Corrected, thanks tethra!
PriÀm
Oops, corrected, thanks Derze!
Derze
Priam, u forgot to update to Three. since he reached 900
Themo Grulld
Thanks for the chapter :)
Ekko
So everyone assumes that Myrscella has given up, but I think she is creating Requiem for a Dream as a last act in the Dream World and then leaves it.
Luciaron
ah nice, almost like a heart devil tribulation
tethra
Sad to see her give up also he should have 3 tribulations pending
Andrew
Thank you!
Timy Binker
Amazing chapter perfect send off
Tommy Littlefield
Bruh better not grab that kill steal
bcd051
Wow, that's the hardest tribulation thus far... just...harsh. Also, I hope Dishnu doesn't kill steal.
James Faulkner
Tftc
Baconwargod
Ah she gave up. Damn. Well pyro was awesome. Dishnu kill stealing I see, mad respect. Hope we get to see them tag team that thing. Also arnold is still terrifying. He killed one of those things by himself.
Ruin The Burned
Damn... the concepts are cruel. Mirscella's Tribulation is immensely difficult. Poor Louis...
