UL1 - Book 10 - Chapter 43
Added 2025-09-27 13:00:04 +0000 UTCThe walls vanished, and sound rushed over him. Tanila’s golden eyes were fixed upon him, her head moving up and down once more before she opened her mouth.
Max didn’t hesitate, racing toward his daughter, avoiding the smashed baked goods and other party decorations strewn around them.
Batrire’s eyes flew open, her hands still glowing as a gasp came from Miranna. “She–”
Max didn’t wait for their healer to finish speaking, bending down and carefully lifting his child into his arms. He pulled her to his chest, embracing her.
“Dad… you’re crushing me,” Miranna got out. “What is–”
Max released her slightly as he sensed Tanila coming toward them. A second ago his face had been dry, now is cheeks were wet as he smiled at his daughter. “You’re okay.”
“She’s okay!” Tanila echoed, dropping to the ground with him, her arms encircling Miranna and Max. “My star still shines!”
Coughs and sniffs broke out around them as Max sensed his daughter stiffen slightly.
“What… why is… what the heck happened to my party?!”
Chuckling, Max kissed Miranna on the forehead and then sighed, letting her back down to the ground, where Tanila took over the hugging duties. He turned to see everyone staring at them, nodding and smiling at each other. “Thank you, Batrire.”
“Don’t thank me,” their healer replied. “I didn’t do whatever happened. She was… outside my ability, even as a god. Whatever had her was so strong I couldn’t bring her back.”
“Max, what happened?” Rakonath asked, his dragon bending down on a knee, his giant, hulking, humanoid form drawing near. “I sense something inside.”
“For the love of baked goods!” Miranna cried out. “Will someone tell me what in the world is going on?”
Each person present laughed and Max watched as his wife kissed their daughter one more time before helping her rise to her feet.
“It would appear–”
The door to the room flew open and Jazzjak darted in, his black suit jacket open, buttons missing. Red eyes sought them out. “Tell me, is she–”
“She is fine,” Max replied. “Thank you for your concern. Now then… I think we owe Miranna a little more knowledge of what happened and then to wish her a happy Awakening day.”
“I’m still wondering what happened,” Fowl said as he picked up an empty mug near his boot. “One minute I’m drinking and telling a story, and the next Max is calling for help and Batrire is healing.”
Max could sense his daughter's eyes widening, his sonar skill back on and letting him sense her body tensing up. “Everyone, grab a seat at the other table. Batrire, can you get some cups and I’ll share some of my good stuff. What I’m about to tell is going to require more than the usual ale we drink.”
***
The six other gods, Jazzjak and Miranna, sat around the table, none speaking as Max finished his experience with Death. He didn’t mention Wekime by name only that he had met another one of the Nine and had made a deal with them previously.
It took a motion from Max’s hand to get someone to respond.
“So… you met one of the Nine,” Jazzjak said quietly. “And somehow bent it according to your rules.”
“Not my rules,” Max replied, “but the System’s rules. If I hadn’t had an encounter with the demon Gykewotik, I’m not sure I would have realized the kind of power I have in that space.”
“Oh, it’s not good for a demon if the caster is smart and strong,” Sog said. “I remember the first time I met Max and knew he was different from what most described. But to know that you managed to hold back him… That puts a new perspective on some things I didn’t realize about that spell.”
“And by him, you mean?” Max asked.
Sog shook his head, black lips frowning. “I cannot say his name. I am bound to that. Not even to you. Even the name I would speak isn’t the true name. I’m certain the one I was born with knowledge of must be another name… like you being Seth Pendal. It provides a way to speak about someone, while not having the ability to call upon their power.”
Fowl grunted and tapped a finger against his table.
“Wait, so we’re talking about these Nine like their something special… I mean, I get they are but why would they want to interfere with Miranna?”
Max felt everyone turn to look at his daughter next to him. She shrank just for a moment before sitting upright in her chair.
“Because of Bob,” Max replied. “Death thought he could control or make an offer. It appears that he has most likely done that before. And it also appears that… the Nine can sense me… well, Bob somehow, and since Miranna is of my flesh, Death could sense her.”
Tanila grunted, and her eyes began to glow. “And that promise… he’ll have to keep it.”
“The system will make him,” Jazzjak said, both ears upright, showing his excitement. “To know that one of the Nine was forced into a deal not to make a move against you or us–”
“Us?” Sog asked, raising an eyebrow.
“Yes,” Jazzjak replied. “Max has called me his friend, and that means by the rules of the system, I am part of us. You do not want to break rules or contracts. Doing so will bring great consequences. You all mentioned earlier that the elven god Thuyja from your world was attempting to end Max’s life, knowing he was a black skill holder. A rule like that carries a steep price.”
A cough came from Miranna who rolled her eyes and shook her head. “You all going to keep talking about this or can we talk about something else instead?”
“Like what?” Fowl asked.
“Uh… my awakening?” the youngest in the room replied.
Max felt a bit of regret at not asking his daughter anything about that yet. “You’re right. Forgive us. Does this mean you have access to the system?”
A small smile appeared and then grew until Miranna was displaying most of her teeth. “Yes! I got four skills. Three skills that I can read or figure out, that is.”
“What do you mean, you can read?” Fowl asked. “I know you know how to read.”
“Shut it,” Batrire snapped. She then turned and smiled at her niece. “Now what skills are the skills you are talking about?”
Miranna hesitated a moment and then answered. “I got Power Strike, Evasion, and Blink. All three are Rare rank.”
Max smiled, reached over and put his hand on hers. “Congratulations. That’s great. But what do you mean you can’t read one?”
“There’s a wall of… well symbols and characters,” Miranna replied. “It’s… hard to describe.”
Jazzjak moved to where their daughter sat and held out his soft paw. “I might be able to help if you’re willing to let me try something. All I need is for you to hold my hand and not fight against me when you sense my attempt.”
Max nodded as Miranna glanced at him. She took a deep breath and set her fingers in the smaller hand of Jazzjak.
Their helper closed his eyes and after a few seconds, Miranna’s hand flinched once. Jazzjak winced a moment later.
“Ahh… that does make sense,” the vorpal rabbit said. “Here, let me show them what you have.” Letting go of Miranna’s hand, Jazzjak summoned a piece of paper and pen, sketching out a line before turning it so others could read it.”
*****
[ X9a3B7kT2gQ5rL8zV0 - L3g4cY9uD2 ]
*****
I can’t even read that. What is it?
Most likely, the System is hiding things. It seems your daughter is becoming more like you every day.
“So what does the skill do?” Cordellia asked. “Can you see any description?”
Miranna shook her head. “No. I can see the description for the others, but for this one, nothing happens. I’m not sure why or what. If I’m honest, I’m a little disappointed.”
“Why are you disappointed?” Tanila asked. “You got four skills, even if one isn’t readable, that’s unheard of.”
“Is it? I mean… I heard what that dad’s sister Stacy got. I kind of expected… more. You know… those special skills.”
Tanila hugged their daughter, her chair having been set on the other side of Miranna. “That was a special case, and while Bob was willing to attempt something like that if your awakening didn’t happen as we planned.”
“I don’t think we planned this,” Fowl said as he motioned around the room, still littered with ruined food and drink.
“Yes, not like this,” Tanila muttered. “I mean… at all. But I wouldn’t be upset. You’ve got seven skills total that you can use–”
“Eight skills,” Miranna said, grinning as she did.
“Eight?” Tanila asked, eyes widening.
“I got one this morning, and I didn’t want to share it just yet… part of me wanted to save it for a fight with dad.”
“Eight skills… yeesh,” Fowl muttered. “Broken like her father.”
Max leaned in close to his daughter and wife and shook his head. “Is there a reason why you wanted to wait?”
“Oh, I wanted to surprise you and see if I could use it to beat you with it. I’m still not sure what all it does, but I wanted to give it a try.”
“Just like her father,” Rakonath whispered to their dwarven warrior.
A few chuckles came from those gathered in the room.
“What if you told me?” Tanila asked. “You know I don’t tell him anything when you two duel.”
Miranna cocked her head sideways for a moment and then slowly nodded. “That would work. We just need to go somewhere he can’t hear us.”
Max rolled his eyes at his daughter and her accusatory look. “Take this,” he said, summoning the tiny item Everett had given him, which created a bubble of privacy. “You can go over there and share it.”
Miranna snatched the item from his hand and grabbed Tanila’s arm, pulling her mother toward the other side of the room.
“She seems a bit excited,” Cordellia said as the pair moved away. “Any guesses?”
Max shook his head. “No clue. I have some thoughts, but I honestly don’t know. Depending on what she says might change a few things training-wise, but–”
He rose from his chair, watching Tanila stagger for a second before she glanced his way and waved him off.
“Uh… that can’t be good, can it?” Batrire asked. “Tanila actually looks to be in shock.”
Max grunted, seeing his wife standing there, wide-eyed and waving her arms and making motions at their daughter. Miranna was returning the gestures.
“Oh, Mom, why can’t I summon mountains in town?” Sog said, doing his best impersonation of Miranna.
Rakonath laughed and then leaned toward their demonic friend. “Because my little star, only your father has the ability to summon mountains and fart lightning bolts.”
“That’s an impressive mimicking of my wife,” Max joked. “Perhaps you two should do those voices for both of them when they get here in a moment.
Both dragon and demon shook their heads, chuckling as the others joined them.
“I’ll pass,” Sog said. “Momma bear might get mad and protective and we all know how that would end up.”
Max nodded, still amazed at how the pair was discussing whatever the new skill was. Finally, after almost a minute, they started back toward them, his daughter not looking as excited as before.
“And… how did that go?” Cordellia asked when Miranna plopped down in her chair.
“Not good… Mom said it would have been bad had I waited to try using the skill.”
“And why is that?” Tanila asked, her tone the one Max recognized his mother using when the answer seemed obvious.
Miranna shook her head and sighed. “Okay, so I got a new skill this morning. I might have wanted to use it but the cooldown is horrible, so I thought, ‘why not wait to fight Dad with it?’ I might have overlooked some of the finer details of the description. That is where Mom says the problem lies.”
“And what is the skill?” Fowl asked, leaning forward. “I mean… yer dancing around the question.”
She sighed again. “It’s Ultimate Form.”
“Ockrims… er Fowl’s Beard!” the warrior cursed. “Seriously?!”
Miranna nodded and Max started to shake his head.
“I am so glad, little star, that you didn’t try that out against me,” Max said, motioning to Tanila. “I’m guessing she told you why that would have been bad, right?”
Tanned cheeks turned a slightly rose color as his daughter nodded.
“And why is that?” Sog asked after a few seconds of silence.
“Tell him,” Tanila said.
“It’s because… if what you’re wearing isn’t magical… the skill destroys them,” Miranna said quietly.
“What’s so bad about… ohhhh,” Sog said. “That… would be a problem.”
Cordellia and Batrire giggled and Max coughed, covering his mouth.
“Yes, your mother is right. That duel wouldn’t have gone at all how any of us had hoped.”
There’s another problem with her acquiring that skill.
Max knew what Bob was talking about.
Miranna learns abilities and skills that she hasn’t even seen in action.
Comments
Tyftc
Chloe
2025-10-16 02:25:28 +0000 UTCUhhhh, I originally thought this was just amazing improve created head canon but how did you leak the chapter a day early? And username checked out. Lol
Scott Frederiksen
2025-09-28 13:03:07 +0000 UTCMax chuckled as Miranna activated her Ultimate form. Knowing the restrictions of it, he had made sure she was wearing magical armor. Before him stood an almost twelve-foot-tall version of his daughter. Her silver armor seemed to glow, catching the morning sunlight as she moved around the training area. “I feel… amazing!” she yelled, while doing a backflip. “Don’t get dependent upon it,” Max called out. “Remember, that ability is designed to be your trump card. The cooldown limits your use and when time runs out, you’ll feel a lot weaker.” “She’s growing up so fast,” Tanila joked. Max groaned even though he knew his wife was partially joking. “She is and yet she’s not. Still, I’m glad she told you about the ability before using it against me.” “And Bob?” his wife whispered quietly as their daughter moved through an obstacle course Max had created with his Stone Mastery. “He has no idea on what the limits are of her ability?” “He has no clue and Jazzjak told me that he’s never heard of it either. I’m not sure what she has. Bob even tried to use his tricks and scan her when touching the shard, but he couldn’t undo the knot of garbled text that hides whatever she has.” “Do you think it was a skill given or…” Tanila’s words trailed off as they watched Miranna charge through a stone wall section. “Don’t hurt yourself!” “I’m fine!” Miranna shouted. “She’s not,” Max said, motioning toward his daughter. “She’s held her shoulder and the arm is drooping slightly. If I’m right, she is feeling that decision.” “Better that she learns it now.” He nodded. “And to your question, I think the skill she is talking about is the one she was born with. I think she’s always had it, the shard just allowed her to see it now.” Tanila bit her lip slightly and Max wondered what she was thinking. “We’ll protect her. No matter what. The big question comes down to what happens when she defeats the tower.” He chuckled and shook his head. “When? So you’ve decided she’ll do that? Already?” Tanila turned and faced him, her lips pressed tight. “We both know she won’t stop until she does or dies. No matter what we say or do, she’ll risk everything to be like you.” “And not like you?” Max asked. “I seem to recall the first ability she ever got was Elemental Mastery. We both were surprised when she summoned those balls of ice to play with.” His wife shook her head at him before turning back to face their daughter. “No… she and I have a bond but you two are… connected. I can sense that and I know you do as well. Am I jealous? Yes. Am I afraid?” Tanila paused for a few seconds and then nodded. “I am. Because I know what power feels like and the desire to get more. She appears to be growing far faster than I can imagine, and soon, if we’re not careful, Miranna will be in the tower, waiting for others to catch up.” He grunted, unable to help himself as he smiled, watching his daughter perform a few parkour moves, vaulting over stone walls, bounding across the tops of three, before dropping down and rolling along the dirt. “Seventeen seconds!” he shouted. Miranna picked up her pace, her powerful, lean and toned body bounding across the remaining course. With a few seconds to spare, she dove through a large stone ring, grabbing the flag hanging in the air on the other side. “Made it!” Miranna proclaimed, only to start shrinking two seconds later. “Aww… that sucks.” “How’s your shoulder?” Tanila asked. “Still favoring it?” Their daughter's face scrunched as she nodded. “Yeah… running through the wall wasn’t the smartest decision, but it did save me four or five seconds.” “Let’s get you healed then,” Tanila said, holding out a hand. “After that, we have some people to help. Tomorrow you have some dungeons to clear.” Even though his daughter was technically an adult, she still let out a small squeal. “You two have fun. I need to check on Rakonath and Sog. I’ll be home for dinner.” Both of the women in his life waved at him, neither turning to look back as they leaned close, whispering things he tried not to hear. You’re serious about this next part, aren’t you? We both know it’s the best choice. Besides, Rakonath agrees as does Sog. It’s time to change things up. *** His dragon sat on an obsidian throne that a pair of dragons had made for Vaelion. Its size looked comical, towering twenty feet into the air. Rakonath’s broad shoulders didn’t even reach the sides of the alpha dragon’s new chair. The dragon crafters had etched intricate carvings, and part of their legacy was set in it. “You sure you don’t want one?” Max teased. “No… the fact I’m sitting in it right now feels wrong. I never wanted a throne. Something like this feels… binding. I would be anchored to this spot, unable to soar as I desire.” “And yet he expects me to enjoy it,” Vaelion said. Max nodded and gave a gentle pat to the alpha dragon’s arm. It had surprised him just how large the humanoid form of the dragon was. Easily eleven feet tall, three feet more than Rakonath. Blue eyes and hair seemed ready to give off a bolt of lightning. Against his dark skin the contrast made the color pop even more. “Leadership comes with many obligations,” Max said. “But I know Rakonath picked the best from his kind. You play the role of a hard and moody dragon, but I’ve seen you with the wyrmlings. The patience you display speaks of what you possess.” A snort came as Vaelion moved to the throne Rakonath had just vacated. Turning, the dragon sat, his size filling the chair far more than the father of these dragons had. “So… you brought me into a meeting I never expected,” Vaelion said slowly. “I am humbled and honored. Why request a meeting with me?” “Because you are the alpha,” Rakonath replied. “You are responsible for every dragon in and below the skies. A time will come when I will have other worlds and will be unable to be here. Do you really want me to decide everything?” Two piercing blue eyes narrowed as Vaelion shook his head. “No… You have been deferring things to me since the ceremony and I was not certain if I had done something wrong and if that was the meaning of this meeting. Being summoned, forced to wear this form and present before him made me question many things.” Max chuckled and smiled. “Am I that scary? And you can call me Max.” “Absolutely,” the alpha replied. “You radiate power like no other. Even with that power that comes from you, it is reigned in, held tight, almost like a second skin. Many of the younger ones cannot sense it, but every elder knows what you are. Our father–” “Rakonath,” Max’s dragon interrupted. “Rakonath,” Vaelion said, his voice struggling to form the words. “Forgive me… honor forces me to speak in the other way.” “You are not like the others,” Rakonath replied. “You are the alpha. You alone carry my blood and my spark. To you, I shall always be who I am and not what I am.” Vaelion bent his head slightly. “I am grateful for your kindness. As I was saying, Rakonath gives off that same aura but not like yours, Max. His comes from those eyes. Warmth, love, acceptance, loyalty all exude from his scales, but a single glance tells each of us elders that to attack him would be a painful death.” He is saying that because of our bond. I have grown stronger after you killed Kherbann. Soon, I wonder what it will be like when we start purchasing stat points with the DP. Max chuckled internally as his dragon spoke through their link. And here I was, afraid everyone would see you as a soft dragon. Let’s hurry this discussion up. I need to visit Sog also. Rakonath grinned as he spoke. “Vaelion, I would like to see Shale Spark go with Miranna, a demon, a dwarf, and an elf into the dungeons. You and I both see the bond between her and Max’s child has. The time has come for us to unite all our races behind a single group which may rise beyond the tower.” Vaelion’s blue eyes widened. “You plan on those five doing such a feat? So soon?” “What is time to a dragon?” Rakonath replied. “Five years, ten years, a hundred years. None of those matters except that we feel the time has come for them to do such a thing. Is my choice of dragons one that you agree with?” A sharp fingernail tapped against the obsidian throne, and dark lips pressed against each other as the alpha dragon stared at two gods. He is thinking about it. Are we taking bets if he disagrees? No, Bob. We all know he won’t. I believe this is his way of showing he considered it before saying yes. Vaelion doesn’t strike me as the kind to go against the wishes of two gods, especially after telling us how much he fears us. A half minute passed and then the alpha dragon nodded. “I believe that would be the best decision. Shale Spark carries your spark and we have spoken many times of the bond between Max’s daughter and our wyrmling. Besides, I have witnessed our little troublemaker growing up faster than some of the other wyrmlings. The interaction between the two has been… beneficial. May I ask if you are going to speak with all the other Kings and Queens?” “We are,” Max replied. “Edward has already given his approval. Cordellia has given hers. Batrire and Fowl had mentioned this a while back. Which leaves us with just Sog now. Tell me, how has the dragon core developed in Shale Spark?” A chuckle came from Rakonath as Vaelion’s eyes widened at the mention of a dragon core. “Forgive me, I sometimes have to remind myself that you know of such things,” Vaelion said. “It is there, faint, but growing. She will be a good ally in the dungeon and the tower. Her power will grow as she consumes more things. Her hunger for food is higher than most her age, a sign of good things.” “Then summon her if you would,” Rakonath said. “We have a gift and would like to share the news.” Vaelion nodded, closed his eyes for a moment and then smiled. “She will be here soon”. Soon meant about thirty minutes as a red-scaled shape streaked toward them. The throne sat near the obelisk and Max grinned at her descent. “Seems she is coming in fast. Too fast?” “Perhaps,” Rakonath said. “I have faith.” A low thrum came from Vaelion who rose to stand by the two of them. “She only knows two speeds. Fast and faster. Age will mellow her out. The Flights are doing what they can to teach wisdom. Some require… a few bumps and scrapes to learn lessons.” Shale Spark came hurtling toward them, suddenly flaring out her wings and landing a dozen yards away, almost tripping over her feet as she skidded along the stone. “My alpha!” the red dragon panted. “You summoned, I came.” “Off with Miranna?” Vaelion asked. The red dragon’s head glanced upward at the alpha and then at Max and Rakonath. “I… was. Is that a problem?” “No, it is not. That is why I have summoned you,” Vaelion said. “The gods have spoken and I have agreed. You shall join Miranna and one from each of the other kingdoms as a party in the tower. You will–” “A PARTY?! WITH–” Vaelion growled, his throat vibrating as the noise escaped his mouth. Shale Spark clamped her jaw shut, trembling and placed her snout to the stone. “It is alright to be excited, but we must learn to temper that excitement little one. You carry much upon your back. Inside you is the spark of your father. Now raise your head and look at me.” Shale Spark did as she was instructed, her neck trembling slightly. Max watched, keeping his face neutral as Vaelion moved forward, bent down on a knee and carefully slid a hand under the red-scaled jaw. With fingers that showed he knew all the right spots, the alpha dragon scratched a few scales, causing Shale Spark to trill slightly. “You, little one are to carry that spark into this world with the others. Protect them, watch over them, shield them. If you have questions or need help, please don't hesitate to ask. Simply approach me and when I am free I will turn my ear to you.” Vaelion paused, turning her head slightly so that their eyes were locked upon each other. “Only you have this ability. No other dragon will receive my blessing like this for a while. Show me and our father that we were right in choosing you for this task.” Shale Spark’s lips curled, teeth showing, and she nodded slowly. “I will show this world that we dragons are all that we have promised to be. I will protect them until my dying breath if needed.” Vaelion gave one last gentle scratch before removing his hands and stood. “Little one, approach,” Rakonath said. Her body only shook once, but Shale Spark did as she was commanded, head low, almost scratching the stone floor as she came toward Max and Rakonath. “I have a gift. Actually, we both have a gift,” Rakonath said, motioning at Max. “To aid the growth of your core. Perhaps these will help aid in your growth.” A pair of magical chain gloves appeared in Rakonath’s hands, and Max summoned a small shield that radiated with power. Two red eyes kept darting back and forth between the offered gifts. “You… are giving me those? I am not worthy,” Shale Spark whispered. “I already carry your spark.” Max smiled and bent down, holding out his shield. “And you honor me by how you and Miranna have bonded. Know that I am grateful she has you. Perhaps one day you two might defeat the tower together and go on to create a world like this one.” Shale Spark trilled at his words. “Then I am honored and grateful for the gifts.” Max tossed the shield toward her and she caught it with ease, chewing a few times before swallowing. Rakonath repeated the same with the gauntlet and a low sigh came as the red wyrmling rested against the ground. “Vaelion,” Max said, holding out his hand. “I need to head to another kingdom. If you ever need, you know how to find me.” The alpha took a moment, staring at the offered hand before stepping toward him and shaking it. “I am honored, Max Hoste. May our kind always be the shelter against the storms.” He nodded and then laughed, grabbing Rakonath and the two of them hugging. “I’ll stop by tomorrow,” his dragon said. “Right now, I have a few things to tend to.” “And by tend to, he means let the sun warm his scales,” Vaelion said. For a moment, the sounds of a man and three dragons rang out from near the obelisk. Their noise was absorbed and a pulse was sent across the world.
HonorablyShady
2025-09-27 15:47:17 +0000 UTC
