It feels as if a restrained place before is gone. Ophieus thought as he closed his hand, staring at the crackling of crimson around it.
Before then he glanced as he heard the Black Feathers growl as they began to open up their mouths. Ophieus narrowed his eyes before relaxing and then the Black Feathers released an ear-splitting roar that resounded out in the area.
Light of Destruction.
A warmth surged inside of Ophieus before erupting out!
Just as the sound reached him, the crimson crackle appeared around him and pushed back against the formless attack. The crimson cracked erased the sound trying to enter his body while Ophieus smiled that his theory was right.
His power destroys even formless things. Ophieus then glanced abominations and noted how they were glancing at each other. Then gripping their bone spears and pointing it forward they began backing up, keeping their gaze on Ophieus.
So they think I will attack them, pretty smart and cautious. Ophieus thought in interest as the Black Feathers were a lot smarter than he thought before. He noted how every movement of his made them grip their bone spears tighter while opening their mouths halfway. Once they were close to the fog, they leapt back into the fog and then he heard footsteps fading away.
"Disappointing." Ophieus says with a sigh before ignoring those Abominations and glancing to his left to see Riley drifting to him.
"Ophieus what was that?"
"I have no idea but..." Ophieus moved his hand up and then tried to call upon the Light Of Destruction in his mind. But nothing happened, making him furrow his brows but then he had a realization.
What If it's based on my emotion? Ophieus tried to recall the feelings he felt when the Black Feathers froze his mind and almost pierced through him. He further recalled their claw descending on him and him being unable to do anything. The hopelessness he felt and inability to do anything brought forth anger and rage.
Then excitement after he desired to overcome it.
A crackling sound rang out as a current of red light moved around the hand, crackling and coiled around like arcs of lightning. Even though it felt warm over his body, Ophieus knew the power to erase what it touches was dangerous to even its wielder.
"I don't know why but I can feel it's dangerous." Riley says lightly as he lightly tremble, his golden ball form drifting back from Ophieus.
"I agree." Ophieus chuckled but then he flinched as darkness took over his vision as felt another stream of images appearing.
…
On a dirt road with blurry green trees on both sides was Ophieus staring ahead and at a group of blurry kids moving in front. All of them were wearing a mixture of dresses, brown or beige shorts, dressed shirt and button up tops.
"Crests? That strange power that those people used was a Crest. Do you have one Ophieus?" A young boy asked, his eager eyes glancing up at Ophieus .
"Indeed, all Pathfinder possess one and awaken it. It's a unique power we are all born with. Each one is defined by our core values and truth, making each one different."
The boy's eyes lit up while the girls glanced at each other with a smile before then one of the girls raised her hand and said. "Oh! But hold on, how do you activate it?"
"Through your desire and emotion. For example mine is…"
…
Ophieus blinked at the memories and found them a bit different than the last one. As it not only displayed images but a bunch of words swept his mind as he recalled similar things the Silver Key said. Pathfinders were wielders of magic in the world and the strongest forces in it as well. The way to become a Pathfinder required one to have someone else unlock it for them or through sheer force of will.
Once either is done, the magic from Luminous will rush into their body and elevate them to supernatural heights. While also giving them the instincts of those who were experts on the battlefield.
On my stats screen, awakening is actually just my rank. Ophieus thought as he recalled Pathfinder levels were divided into four levels.
Awakening, Unity, Boundary and Boundless.
Those abominations he just fought should have been at the Awakening level. Their attacks were canceled out by his Crest, Light of Destruction which crushed their attack. He was curious exactly why it did but he had a hunch it was done through it being erased and destroyed.
"So, you're my Crest? So violent and furious but filled with exhilaration. I didn't think my values would be like that. I wonder…" Ophieus muttered to himself as he stared at the crackling crimson-gold energy in his hand with a content smile. The crimson-gold light crackled for a bit before fading away as if it felt no more rage and excitement from Ophieus .
"Rage and excitement are the key. Does it work if only one of them was functioning?" Ophieus muttered as he caressed his chin.
"What do you mean Ophieus?" Riley asked as swayed back and forth.
Ophieus smiled as he began telling Riley the set of memories he had regained. When Riley heard all of this he was surprised but then he also trembled with excitement.
"You actually got some of your memories back! Then it really is possible to regain them back." Riley began bobbing back and forth in glee while Ophieus smiled a bit wider.
"Of course, we just need to find different stimuli to push us." Ophieus says, leading Riley to pause and then tilting his golden ball form to the right.
"But still your Crest… It does align with your insanity for battle." Riley says making Ophieus lips twitch then Riley continues. "Then mine should be a ground Crest… I wonder what my values are?"
"Well, we can find out later. But I have an idea it might have to do with your desire to protect someone." Ophieus says just as a silver light screen appears in front of him.
The silver screen appeared in front of him before words began to take form on it and a voice echoed in his mind.
[The Golden Hammer you summoned is just the basic power of the Silver Knight.]
Ophieus blinked in surprise at the words before him and then spoke in his mind. How do I unlock more powers of the Silver Knight?
The words faded from the silver screen before a set of new ones took their place.
[You need to understand Riley better. The closer you are to knowing the truth about your Silver Key Servant, the more of his real power you can use.]
What do you mean by understanding? Ophieus thought as he furrowed his brows.
[You must learn about Riley's Crest, his core values, and his truth. Even small pieces of his story will help but once you achieve this. Then you can truly unlock the true abilities of the Silver Knight.]
Ophieus couldn't help but chuckle. Well I already planned to help him regain his memories anyway, this is just a plus.
He thought about his own progress, and the silver screen changed with the words fading and it now displaying his stats.
[Name: Ophieus
Pathfinder: Awakening
Crest: Light Of Destruction
Strength: Green (Very High)
Vitality: Green (High)
Stamina: Green (Very High)
Agility: Green (Very High)
Perception: ???
Magic: Green (Average)
Sanity: 102
Knowledge: 51]
[Silver Knight: Riley]
Ophieus hummed to himself before dispersing the screen and heading towards the dead Black Fathers. Just as pale silver lights floated up from the ground from them, glowing in a shining small orb.
The golden ball darted closer as he said with a hint of wonder and surprise. "What are those?"
"They're the knowledge left behind by the fallen Black Feathers," Ophieus explained as he began devouring the small balls. "Once I absorb them, I'll grow stronger."
Riley's glow flickered in surprise and then drifted a bit closer. "You can just… take their knowledge?"
Ophieus nodded. "Yeah. It's strange, but it's a path and it will be needed when we continue exploring."
"That's true, this place is dangerous… Especially with those abominations." Riley mutters as Ophieus reaches out with his hand.
One by one the seven silver lights floated into his hand and then sank into his chest. While Riley watched in awe as Ophieus absorbed each light with the silver glow fading into him until nothing but faint traces remained in the air.
All while Ophieus felt flashes of images, symbols, words, and voice passed through him after each small ball of light.