Two sails were now up on the masts, and the last one was being worked on around the clock. Synexus had used his Material Manipulation to make them have ideal properties for sails. After the last one is complete, they still had to weave all the ropes needed for operating the ship and proper sailing.

  They had just secured the second one on the mast when the entire island shook and a low rumble started to come from the mountains. Around the ends of the fissures on the far sides of the mountain range, cracks started forming and created a web that continued to grow. Rumbling intensified until both ends of the mountains shattered into a fine gemstone dust. Everyone on the island was staring up into the sky at the glistening air, the light from the sun was hitting it and causing sparkles.

  Vorin was going to yell out to have people be careful and not breathe it in, but before he could, a powerful wind came out of nowhere and the air was clear once again. He knew that meant Kumo was out of her trial.

  The normal mass of people gathered around the front of the mansion and Kumo was already standing in front of the doors talking to some of the class expected when Vorin and Synexus walked up. She smiled and finished telling her story of how she now could stand amongst the clouds. A little demonstration followed and ended just as quickly when she realized how exhausted she was. That’s when she turned and addressed them.

  “We were wondering when you were going to come out. That’s a neat skill you picked up! How was the trial?” Synexus spoke up first.

  “Exhausting, exhilarating, and great for my progress! You should have seen me taking on all the enemies, Synexus!”

  He focused on her and saw that her level was twenty now. “Wow! Level twenty! That’s a big achievement congratulations. Although, I had this expectation you’d be much higher after being in there so long.”

  “Hey now, most of my skills are pushing level 26 or above right now. If it wasn’t for this new skill then there is no way you would be able to catch up.”

  Vorin chuckled a little at their banter. “Well, we are glad to have you back and it sounds like you made great strides. This dungeon has been a boon for all of us. Did you get any other rewards?”

  “I did!” With a thought she summoned her living tempest armor. A thin layer of darkened clouds covered her but managed to look sleek. Little lightning bolts passed along the armor and then jumped into a small field around her. “It protects me based on the weather. So, if I summon a storm then it’ll protect me more.”

  Both Vorin and Synexus looked on with interest. It was almost hypnotic watching the tiny lightning jump around over the surface of the armor.

  “Hmm, that is great synergy with your class.” Vorin reached out and the electricity field stung him a little.

  Gene flew over and landed by them immediately noticing the magnificent armor. “Living Tempest Armor? That will be amazing with your class especially after you evolve again. Living armor is always a good investment.”

  “You’ve heard of this before?” Kumo questioned.

  “Of course! It is high tier and highly sought after. I’m impressed that it was a reward from the dungeon. I supposed it wouldn’t work for anyone other than someone with your class.” The owl turned to look at the approaching footsteps.

  “Fancy armor, Kumo! Perhaps we need to test it out?” Priths booming voice came out like a challenge.

  “Come on, Prith. She just got out of the dungeon. I’m sure she is exhausted.”

  “It’s okay, Zuls. I say let’s do it!” With a thought she activated her Stormcloud skill.

  In an instant her living armor darkened and the lightning bolts started sparking faster. Cloud started to harden into a dark metal with fractal shapes like trapped lightning all over. Everyone was surprised, including Kumo. She started to move around in it to find that she was still as mobile as ever even though the material was obviously extremely durable.

  “Alright, hit me.”

  All the class chosen backed up to leave some room for Prith as he took his blade out of the sheath and struck with all his might at Kumo and her strange new armor. Wind and rain picked up as the blade streaked through the air, and then in an instant it was completely stopped by a field of lightning and dense wind coming off the armor. Metal never even met metal, and Prith was pushed back when some lightning went back up the blade and gave him a bit of a shock. Everyone looked on in amazement except for Gene since the owl already knew what to expect.

  “Okay, maybe your armor is even more impressive than it looks. My blade didn’t even connect with the metal itself.”

  “Yeah, that was impressive! I didn’t expect it to be that amazing! I didn’t even have to do anything. I’m going to love this, but first I need to sleep.” Before she even finished, she started to wobble and Synexus caught her. The armor faded back into clouds and then absorbed back into her.

  “I’ll take her upstairs to get some rest and then Gene and I will be heading into the dungeon for the final trial.”

  “Yes, it’s time. We cannot delay any longer. While we are inside, the class expected should evacuate the mansion. I’d suggest staying on the ship until we are out. If we are going to destroy the dungeon afterwards to rid the island of this buildup of mana then that mountain will not last. You’ll see some other changes on the island as well as we interact with the System inside.”

  All the class chosen who were there nodded at Gene and then wished them luck before dispersing. Synexus took Kumo upstairs to lie down in one of the few beds still inside the mansion. Even with her exhaustion she had the energy to give him one last comment before passing out.

  “You better get to at least level 20, or you’ll be behind me for life. Good luck.”

  Before he could respond she was out. He looked at Gene knowing that the time had finally come. Nervousness filled him after hearing about all the crazy experiences the others had been through. What would he face inside? The owl nodded at him as if he could understand his thoughts and they both made the journey downstairs.

  “Before we go in, have you finished your entry for Omni-Aether Stone?”

  “I did a few weeks ago. Since then, I’ve been touching it and have reached 100% on all types of aether I’ve been able to encounter so far.”

  “Very good. Now, let’s begin.”

  Synexus turned from his friend to the lock and placed his hand against it.

  “You want to know what impedes my progress and I’ve only been able to come to one answer. One thing permanently takes up room in my mind because I fear I’ll never be able to know the truth. Multiple questions run through that portion of my thoughts every day: Who am I? Where did I come from? Why am I so different? Why did my mom have to say goodbye so early in my life? And then I realized that all these questions were part of a bigger struggle for my soul. A struggle that could impede my progress if left unsatisfied. The secrets of my past.”

  Blinding white filled the room and seemed to be absorbed by the dark stone all around them. Then both Synexus and Gene were gone. The System had pulled them in to start the last trial.

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