Ethan put some distance between himself and the plague rain. He watched it a while longer before turning around and making his way through the swamp once again. While he had plans in mind for his own advancement Ethan needed to focus on his companion, Nora. For some time he didn’t want to pry into her own business but her absence could lead to mistakes down the line.
With no proper ground around them he just made a platform resting on four pillars, he surrounded it with ice spikes that jutted from the water at different angles. At last, he surrounded the platform on top of the pillar with a wall made of white ice, so that the undead couldn’t see them.
He was glad that the cold had no effect on him any longer because a fire wasn’t possible. The swamp is not really known for dried pieces of wood. Gently he nudged Nora with his mind and with the tip of his finger. He didn’t want to rip her from her thoughts but at least she would feel his touch. A few minutes later she acknowledged his existence again and turned her head.
Do you need help with something? She asked, her voice cold as ice, just like his, I’m kind of busy… He nodded at her questions and started to talk about his request. I’m gonna be honest Nora, you're absent most of the time now and I’m worried something is happening with you, in the dungeon you didn’t even react to…well anything really. I hoped you could give me some insight about what is happening with you. I didn’t want to invade your privacy but it seems you’re so deep in thought that you won’t even live in the real world anymore.
His legs crossed he sat there, looking into her eyes while talking, she didn’t move, just listened to the things he had to say, then her voice returned in his head. I guess it’s time to let you know, like you I also had things happening to me at a slower pace but still I’m advancing. While we share a connection I also share the level with you. But instead of classes I only have race and general skills. The thing is now that I’m your companion I stand at a crossroads. While you were still human my options for advancement were limited, still I was thinking about the path I wanted to take. Now…you’re more than human, while I was deep in my thoughts the shift happened and I was nearly paralyzed by the options presented to me.
To explain it a bit better, as a snake there are multiple paths for me. To make it simple there are some basic forms all reptiles can turn into or earn through achievements. For me, lizards and snakes are base forms. It continues with serpents, more mythical in nature, to wyrms, essentially dragons without limbs or wings. Lindworms, wyverns, dragonkin and even dragons. With your new race there came the offer of multiple new types of elemental variants to name one path.
A long mental sigh echoed through Ethan’s mind as she took a small break, her body, which was even bigger now, slithered down his arms and she wrapped around his thigh to look at him more easily. Her head was at the same level as his eyes.
It becomes even more complicated that I now need to unlock some options I really wanna pick, for that I need to venture out myself and do specific things, like finding an elemental treasure or kill specific monsters aligned with the element I wanna unlock. You see I was just thinking everything through over and over again, the path is unclear. Since the moment I was born I was struggling like you. Remember, my brothers and sisters usually get a companion that already has a set path in mind. I don’t want to hinder my or your growth with wrong decisions. So maybe you can help me…
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Ethan felt his mind connect in a different way than before, the connection was stronger, deep and firm, reaching as far as the center of his being. Then he saw it, a network of stars filling his mind. In the middle the brightest star shined, the snake was clearly visible when he concentrated on the star. But the rest was a mess, a whole universe of choice stood in front of Nora because she was beginning from nothing.
He was already set in a path, picking the mage class alone blocked two thirds of possible classes, while he could develop towards an archer or warrior aligned path, magic would always be the core of his being. But Nora was one species in a massive family of animals.
I think I know what you mean when you talk about your choices. Tell me which ones you have in mind and I will try to offer you advice. A few seconds later five small texts appeared in his mind.
[The Path of the Mistweaver Boa]
[ Adorned with intricate, luminescent patterns that glow softly in the mist, this snake-like monster can manipulate fog and mist, using it to camouflage itself or create illusions to confuse it’s foes]
[The Path of the Aurora Serpent]
[Radiating luminous colors reminiscent of the northern lights, the aurora serpent is a celestial being that soars through the skies rather than slithering on the ground. Its majestic, feathered wings and its scales twinkle like stars.]
[The Path of the Basilisk Wyrm]
[A mix between a serpent and a dragon, the basilisk wyrm has a long sinuous body covered in dark, iridescent scales. It’s rumored that its gaze can petrify creatures who meet its eyes, turning them into stone]
[The Path of The Draconic Serpent]
[These massive, dragon-like serpents possess shimmering scales that offer unrivaled protection against most physical and magical attacks. They have the ability to breathe fire and are expert tunnelers due to their strong jaws and massive teeth]
[The Path of Frostscale Serpent]
[Adapted to icy environments, frostscale serpents have a body covered in white and blue scale, resembling glistening ice. They’re capable of breathing icy winds and can create blizzards to immobilize and blind foes.]
He took a deep breath and read each description multiple times, it was truly a hard decision, one he didn’t know how to answer if he was honest. Each path sounded powerful in its own way, some aligned more with his path like the mistweaver boa or the frostscale serpent but having the strength of a draconic serpent or the petrifying gaze off a basilisk sounded promising too. Now he understood Nora better, while these five sounded like wonderful ways to advance, in the end there were hundreds more.
I understand your situation a bit better now Nora, while I have limited offers you have a staggering amount of races to pick from. All of them sound good and I can see why you decided to lean into that direction. I will think about an answer and maybe we both find a solution fitting for you. For now I gravitated to two paths but there information is fresh in my mind, when I processed it I will answer you. Am I right that you will be locked in that path forever?
Relief flooded their bond as Nora listened to his words and her slender body stopped being so tightly wrapped around him. Yes, once I choose a path it’s locked in. While on the path I will slowly change into the new races, my appearance will change but also my entire being will go through a shift until I finally go through a final evolution that will finish my path. After that…only time will tell what follows.
Ethan nodded, his staff rested on his shoulders as he leaned back and closed his eyes. One last thought reached Nora before he drifted into a deep sleep. I’m sure…we will find you a good path to follow in life.
Which Path should Nora pick for her advancement?
