Divine Awakening - Chapter 58

Chapter 58

It really bothered Ash that this choice was almost grey. This unique Class had the most potential, but the System had judged him as a bad fit for it. This Class, his heritage and legacy, had not even been recommended.

Not offered because Ash had spent most of his life in denial. He’d only half applied himself to the skills and knowledge his grandpa had tried so hard to get Ash to care about. The truth, as painful as it was to face, stared at him now.

Ash opened his eyes and surveyed the battlefield below. The corpses of Hippodiles and zombie priests had long since disappeared into the ground, but the memory of combat remained fresh. His spells had served him well, but they were just basic magic. With a Class, his potential should expand exponentially.

What kind of person did he want to become? Someone similar to his past? If so, Elemental Monk fit that past. Basic and just good enough.

Spirit Walker created a surge of guilt. Ash didn’t even recognize what inside him had triggered this choice. It pointed to a lack of self-awareness that embarrassed him.

Ash stood and walked to the edge of the ziggurat. Below, Longshot demonstrated her new bow techniques to Fletcher, who studied them with professional interest. Their cooperation reminded Ash of his responsibilities. Whatever Class he chose needed to complement the team.

Ash’s Throat chakra warmed, reminding him of the importance of truth, even when speaking to himself. This wasn't just about the team—it impacted his journey—his destiny. Powerful beings had visited him from other planets. At least one of them, the Bruja, was a literal goddess. If he wanted to survive in such a universe, could he start with anything but the best foundation?

Ash sensed Relay approaching and he turned when she stopped a few feet away. She met his eyes for a moment, her eyes holding their usual intensity, before she looked away, focusing on the city below.

"Having trouble deciding?" Relay asked.

Ash nodded. "Yeah. I didn’t expect the choices to drudge up all these emotions.”

"Can I help?" Relay asked, keeping her eyes firmly on the horizon.

Ash hesitated. He never consulted anyone, always trusting himself and his instincts. It was another indication of how unbalanced this had made him that he couldn’t immediately decide.

Relay opened her mouth, likely embarrassed for asking such a personal thing, and about to dismiss her offer of aid.

Ash spoke first. "I’d love some advice.”

Relay turned to face Ash, unable to hide a small smile. “Really?”

Ash returned the smile.

As he described the three Classes, Relay's eyes widened. "Those are... powerful choices," she said when he finished. "More specialized than what's available to most of us."

"What did you choose?" Ash asked.

"Diviner," Relay answered. "It synergizes with my ability to see patterns and symbols around people." Her fingers traced patterns in the air. "It's terrifying and wonderful to have this power finally make sense."

It surprised Ash that Relay had revealed her ability to see icons. That had seemed like a secret back on the base.

"They're going to need guidance," Relay said, looking at the others. "This is outside everyone’s experience, and it will take some time to adjust."

"And they'll look to me.”

"You've already proven the key to our survival here. That makes you the leader. Nomad knew that back on base. Damn that man and his electricity games but he was preparing us for you. A masochistic genius. Anyway, your Class should reflect that."

“A masochistic genius?” Ash asked.

Relay’s eyebrows raised. “No, I—”

Ash laughed and interrupted Relay. “I know what you meant. Thanks. To be honest with you there’s a Class I can choose that isn’t highlighted that I know I should pick.”

Ash briefly outlined the Class, and Relay whistled. Her eyes flicked up to the icons he knew she could see floating above him.

“I want to prove I deserve that Class,” Ash said thoughtfully, “but that seems juvenile. I also want to take it because it would make my grandpa proud. It was what he trained me for. When I think of the team here, and what you just said, I can’t help but think taking it might be a mistake, though. The description warns about a longer ramp to power, and we might not have that time. Am I being selfish for taking a Class that might have long term benefits but leaves me underpowered now. What if that choice gets everyone killed. Including myself. I can’t help but think I’m being selfish by doing something the System doesn’t recommend and might result in tragedy.”

Relay took a few seconds to respond, and her gaze remained fixed on the city below. “You don’t strike me as the type to fit neatly into the boxes others build. You’re meant to be a beacon. Even if choosing one of those other Classes is the right thing to do right now, it might have catastrophic consequences for us, and everyone else, in the future. Not everyone needs to carry the burden of the future.” She turned to face Ash, locking eyes with him. “But you do. Trust me when I say, as crazy as it sounds, that you need to find the strength to carry not only our world, but hundreds of others.”

“Is that what the icons tell you?” Ash asked, his voice serious.

Relay’s eyes glanced again at the space over Ash’s head and then she studied the area over his shoulder. Finally, her eyes drifted back to him. She reached out and put a hand on top of his.

“You’re meant to fly, Shamrock. The Earth needs a guardian angel, and it picked you. I can say for certain that the Elemental Monk will not protect you, or us, from what your future holds. So while choosing the Avatar of Transcendence might kill some of us now, not picking it might kill all of us later.”

Relay squeezed Ash’s hand and then stood.

“Thanks,” Ash said. “That really helped.”

Relay flashed a bright smile. “You’re welcome.”

Relay walked away, leaving Ash to his thoughts. His Throat chakra had confirmed she believed what she said. He closed his eyes once more and returned to the Class choices.

The three recommended Classes represented different aspects of Ash’s current state. His grandpa had tried to prepare Ash for this future and had succeeded enough for an option like Chakra Sage. An excellent Class that fit him well.

Ash recalled something his Sisen, Grandmaster Echo, had said. "The only truth is balance."

Ash had spent most of his life thinking he’d achieved balance. The appearance of the Bruja goddess and the kung fu aliens like his Sisen had destroyed that illusion. He knew almost nothing of the true universe and wasn’t remotely capable of defending himself against such entities.

Relay believed she saw greatness in Ash. Had said he needed to strive for that to protect the Earth. It was far more likely she’d misinterpreted something that she’d seen. She was pretty new at Divining after all.

The Ash from before the Pit appeared would take the Chakra Sage Class, but he no longer identified with that fool. He’d changed. And thankfully, past Ash had done enough to open the Avatar of Transcendence. A Class that was tasked with maintaining balance between the physical and spiritual realms.

Balance wasn't just about standing steady or controlling his center of gravity. The Bamboo and Viper Steps weren't meant to be practiced separately, but as complementary halves of a unified whole. The Steps honed his physical body, to balance the spiritual growth of his chakras.

The last of Ash’s indecision and reluctance disappeared. He wanted to someday move with the inhuman grace of Grandmaster Echo. To match her skill in the Steps. Reaching such perfection, if he intended to remain balanced, would require an equally impressive spiritual power.

Ash would work tirelessly to gain the knowledge and skill he needed to support his team. His magic would start weaker than everyone else here, but it wouldn’t stay that way for long.

Ash navigated to the very bottom of the Class list. With a firm mental finger he selected Avatar of Transcendence.

A surge of energy flowed through Ash. It started at the base of his spine and raced upward through each chakra. His muscles tensed, then relaxed as the new power soaked into every part of his being.

A mass of Notifications replaced the Class list.

Ash opened his eyes as familiar steps approached.

"Did you choose?" Nomad asked.

“Just now.”

"Great. I think you were the last. We should gather everyone and discuss our new Class capabilities. Most of us have held off on our attribute and spell point choices. None of us want to make a mistake."

Ash stood. “Good idea.”

As Ash followed Nomad he opened the first Notification.