Various societies, in particular Unawakened ones, use some form of currency to determine costs. The WidePond as a whole does the same, by establishing costs based on Energy Levels. Downward conversion is easy while upward conversion of Energy is more challenging. Six months of Energy distribution into a standard meditation room is one Weregild of that level of Energy. The choice of 6 months is a mystery, perhaps it was meant to be a year originally but no one remembers.
What you get for a given level Weregild varies, there is no oversight so prices often become negotiations, at least when the affected parties have their own views on value.
~ * ~
They spent the drive home deciding if they were going to look through the Vault first or show off their War Husks. It wasn't really that hard of a decision, looking through the Vault was being practical and could wait. Seb wasn't sure why they kept coming back to dealing with the Vault first, he wanted to see Anya's War Husk and get her opinion on his after all, maybe even get a chance to spar and-.
"Vault first," he stated as they stepped into their Holding. "Just in case we get distracted."
"Why would we get distra-" Anya began before blushing. "Good idea."
With that decided they headed down the hallway and spent a moment looking through the options in the Vault.
"Paired foils?" he asked.
"I'd need to learn too, and that doesn't feel Mystic-like."
"Club and Heavy Armor won't work either," he added a moment later. "Clubs aren't blades."
"And I'd feel trapped in that suit."
The remaining individual bound objects also fell short, daggers felt too small, axes and spears seemed wrong, the two-handed greatsword was bigger than he was. None had any appeal until they came across the last item on the list.
"Remember how I thought these were useless?"
"That sword is useless, you can't hurt anything with it," she answered.
"Do I need to? It would give me a source of Bladesong, and you said Growth Relics will adapt to how we use them." He pulled the paired items out of the Vault and let them settle between them, the sword was long, probably too long for Anya but when he picked it up it didn't feel unwieldy. "If I use it to apply imbuements or for hindering techniques?"
"Then physical damage wouldn't matter," Anya said with a smile. "Your crystallized techniques wouldn't be physical either come to think of it."
She bent down to pick up the robe and looked it over while considering. "And I use my hands and feet, I don't use a weapon."
She paused and he could feel her emotions turning inward, her thoughts focusing. "I don't want to use weapons, I am my own weapon."
"Do you think we should then? How does it work?"
"Same as everything else Seb," she answered with a smile. "Focus your Energy into it and make the link, then let the connection grow."
"I should have guessed," he muttered as he followed her instructions.
After a moment he felt something from the blade, the hilt and crossguard shifting slightly under his hand as metallic braiding came to the surface. At the same time he realized he knew exactly where it was, not because it was in his hand, but the same as he knew where the Holding was, as he knew where Anya was.
Looking over he saw Anya slipping into the robe as it resized itself to be a perfect fit. The fabric darkened, until it was a near match for the hoodie, especially once she pulled the cowl up.
When it was clear nothing more was going to happen he focused once more on the Relics, seeing the change in their descriptions now that they were bound.
Flowing Robe (Growth) - Lysanya Syl
Provides no benefit when weapons are wielded
Automatically repairs itself with infusion of Energy from bond
Can transition between Husk and War Husk
Is considered part of self for the purpose of enhancements
This book is hosted on another platform. Read the official version and support the author's work.
Singing Sword (Growth) - Sebastian Syl
Blade deals no physical damage
Automatically repairs itself with infusion of Energy from bond
Can transition between Husk and War Husk
Emits Bladesong when bond desires
"Only Husk and War Husk?!" Anya grumbled. "Couldn't it transition to True Self too?"
Seb chuckled and held the blade up before him, turning it this way and that before wondering what it would sound like when it sang. That appeared to be all that was needed as an eerie sound seemed to fill the room, just loud enough to be heard yet soft enough to be overlooked. As the sound flowed past him everything seemed clearer, sharper, simpler. He knew where he was, where Anya was, where the walls were. He knew exactly what it would take to cross the room, how many strides, how much time, and how it would change his position relative to her.
He felt her reach out and her surprise filtered through the band. I know where we are, where everything nearby is.
He took a step forward and the perspective followed, he closed his eyes and spun, coming to a stop with his blade pointed straight down the center of the hallway. Anya was stepping towards him and he spared a moment to wonder what would happen if they sparred like this.
A new note joined the song and his opponent stumbled ever so slightly, he spun to face her and she parried, her movement just slightly more sluggish than he expected, her posture ever so slightly less perfect. She recovered quickly, resetting herself before he could process what had happened and stepped out of range.
Seb!
He willed the Bladesong to cease and silence reigned, he thought of the blade as part of his War Husk and it vanished, dissolving before his eyes as he guessed at how to have it transition.
Sorry, he answered. I wondered what sparring would be like and in my mind you became my opponent.
You swung at me though, she sent with a glare.
No physical damage, even if I'd hit you full on what's the worst that would have happened.
Still. Warn me.
He nodded, apparently Bladesong, at least through a bonded weapon, was very susceptible to stray thoughts. I will. Did the song have a different effect?
I had to focus more, it was just a bit of confusion once I realized what was happening, but the swap between from ally to enemy was a lot.
So not a huge impact either way, but still enough to make you stumble.
She narrowed her eyes and lunged forward faster than he could react. I did not stumble, you cheated.
Instead of stopping her he pulled her into a hug and chuckled. Did not.
Did too- she started then pushed him away playfully. No, War Husks.
~ * ~
Anya found herself fidgeting as they stood facing one another in the training hall. She was finally going to show Seb what her War Husk had become, finally get to see his. She was looking forward to the sight, and hoped he was just as anxious.
Who first? she asked, forcing herself not to bounce on her toes.
Together? Unless you want to go first?
She thought for a second before answering. Together. So we both get to react at the same time.
On three then, he said. Three.
Two, she answered.
One, they said together and she focused on the change, closing her eyes briefly as she let it slip fully into place.
She had visualized it, envisioned it, but had not actually let it settle fully until she felt it was ready. Unlike the Everyday Husk there was less sculpting to do, the changes were primarily in the exoskeleton.
She may have abandoned Lisa, she might no longer be the girl Holding Lys had wanted her to be, but much of her War Husk had followed the same form. Her arms and legs looked as though they were banded in chitin, joints more heavily armored and additional layers down her shins and forearms to ensure close quarters protection. Her fingers could still hook into claws, while her boots looked almost the same.
Opening her eyes she saw Seb staring at her, staring at a predator looking for a fight. She started to sneer, shifting as if to pounce then winked, breaking the moment even as she got a good look at him.
His War Husk looked simple in comparison, bracers with articulated gauntlets and an almost invisible weaving of protection across his torso. The most impressive aspect were his boots, he looked as though he was about to topple forward, the entirety of his calves and feet surrounded by further articulation.
Heels? she asked.
Boots, he clarified, his thoughts slightly smug as he hopped from one foot to the other. Maybe not as deadly looking as you are, but should help me change directions and stay balanced. At least I hope so.
Deadly looking?
Anya, he sent hesitantly. You look a lot like your old Husk, like the one that-
I know Seb. She knew she was cutting him off but she had to explain before he went there. I feel stable, I don't feel that buzz, that threat, that danger I used to. This feels right, like I'm supposed to be the threat everyone reacts to, the thing that unnerves them just a little because it isn't what they expect.
He stepped over to her, faster than usual. So fast that for a moment she thought she'd have to catch him before he managed to stop himself mere inches away.
You aren't what I expected that first day, he began and part of her started to worry despite knowing better. You're so much more, even if you did try to scare me just then.
Sorry, she sent, even over the band it was barely more than a whisper. She knew what he'd been seeing in that moment, what he'd thought was about to happen and she'd played it up. With a thought she pulled the Robes off her Husk and onto her War Husk, covering up most of her more distinctive changes.
I know, he answered. Of course he knew, he could feel how bad she felt, just like she'd felt his moment of actual fear. Just like she could feel he'd forgiven her even before she actually apologized. But Anya?
Yes Seb?
I get to tickle you later and you can't fight back.
She blinked, looking up into his eyes and seeing he was serious, that he actually expected her to let him tickle her, let him torment her that way she felt her own widen, gone was the predator, gone was any thought but her wondering what he actually intended to do.
Want to support Confluence Saga?
Leave a comment to tell me what you think of the story so far.
is 10 chapters ahead.
Want to chat about the story? Come to .
Current Bonus Chapter Goals:
- 57/100 Followers
- 12/20 Favorites
- 9/10 Ratings
- 1/2 Reviews