Bro, I'm not an Undead!

Aurolio was surprised by how much he was engrossed in Future Skullius' explanation. After the generic quote, he thought he was going to get a non-answer - obscure and pretentious. However, what he heard was far from unhelpful.

"I remember seeing your class before – Insurgent Magnus, I mean," he said. "Go on."

Future Skullius sat down, hands still stuck in his nimbus jacket pockets.

"Perhaps my circumstances were a little different from what other true masters will tell you, but all the same…" he said. "I was cursed to not be able to connect with people - to find allies and friends - for a long time. I only realized it later, but when I broke free from that curse, I not only managed to connect with people but objects as well. Everything has a soul, even objects and yet-to-mature weapons."

"Recognizing this truth and treating a weapon as you would any valued ally transforms it. You might not see a change in its status and its power, to be sure. It doesn't work that way. You see the value in your own growth. I once cut down Masters while I was a mere Advancement Stager using a sword-shaped rock. It's not about the weapon growing from Legendary to Mythical. The weapon filters skill into you. That skill is not a dishonorable way to express strength and neither is it negligible, Aurolio."

The Void User frowned, but not because he was not satisfied with the explanation. Far from it.

Aurolio usually hated referencing his background. It was…ordinary, and he knew it. He was one of those many, many experts who had a sob story about how they desired power and grew to be extremely powerful later in life.

And indeed, Aurolio had cultivated his strength efficiently. He had grown to develop his own Family, the Velanqi Family with himself as the main combat force. He had been a threat even to Incandescent Stagers as a Master - courtesy of the guidance field and his status as a Void User.

The Strongest, the commonfolk and experts alike had called him.

He hadn't felt so strong since that crushing blow he received from Jerthrax back during the battle across the Null Remnants.

"Now, of course, I know that becoming some profound swordmaster isn't the way you intend to grow," added Future Skullius with a sharp look into Aurolio's eyes. The Void User shuddered. Again, he was reminded that he wasn't talking to the other Skullius. "I assume you are struggling with whether or not to add an affix to your Mastered Void Gate aspect that includes weaponry. Well, since you aren't too fond of weapons, you likely don't know what kind of weapon to incorporate, do you?"

Aurolio twisted his lips as his eyebrows rose.

"It's nice to know you've been thinking about me for your two years off world," he said. "What do you suggest?"

Future Skullius created another cute hand out of Ju`wtte. It pointed at Aurolio. "Why are trying to conform to normal conventions now of all times? If you don't have a preference in terms of weaponry, create your own. A weapon that will tickle your fancy. You'll dictate how it's used and by extension, what benefits you get when you apply Fundamental Barter to it."

Aurolio's eyes bulged.

"Well…shit," he said. It was clear. He had never even imagined anything close to this as a possible point of growth.

Creating his own unique weapon as a form of strength for his Mastered Void Gate…

Even Elita was taken aback. If it were her Aurolio was asking, she would have told him to practice mastery over an existing type of weapon until he saw it fit for his Mastered Void Gate aspect.

Future Skullius' suggestion was leagues better, in her opinion.

Aurolio lost himself to heavy inspiration. He grew silent. He might have warped into his own little Empyrean Bosom, leaving a fake illusion behind.

As he froze, Elita took her chance to fire off a question she had for the future Hybrid; she had been holding onto it for a little while now.

"All this talk of souls and growth," she said, and a strange smile appeared on her face. "There's someone who prompted this growth in you just as I helped your younger self, right? And I can venture to guess… it's a she."

Future Skullius considered her for a few seconds and then he chuckled.

"You're awfully perceptive," he said. "What gave it away?"

"Null Lifeform or not, I've seen how irascible men can become docile when they find someone who can reel them in – draw the fullness of them to a comfortable calm. What you said about connecting to humans only confirmed it for me. You don't just have another Silrat out there," she said and sat next to him. "Mind sharing all about it?"

Future Skullius wore a broad smile.

"That's a story for after Aigas is saved," he said and Elita sighed heavily. She had expected it. "There's still a Deity that needs taming."

"Right," the former Paladin Champion said as Future Skullius unraveled the Taming Appixel.

He cast a look at Red Rage who had been awfully silent, along with Kenno.

"We will talk also. After this is done," he said to the Apostle. Red Rage nodded. Kenno frowned.

"What?" he said, looking between the boss and the Apostle. "Talk about what?"

Red Rage patted his shoulder. "It's okay."

"What's okay?" Kenno jerked.

"It's okay," repeated Red Rage, this time with a consoling voice.

"Explain dammit!"

But no explanation was given. Elita was also curious about what had gone unspoken between the Nullmancer and his Apostle, but neither was willing to share. It was a shame.

Future Skullius promptly activated the Taming Appixel.

A shroud of glistening starry energy, tinged gold swept around him, Elita, Kenno, Red Rage, and Aurolio.

Except for the Apostle, all of them were then addressed by the guidance field.

[You are in range of the 'Taming Appixel's' effect. Are you willing to participate as a spectator?] was the notification that appeared to everyone who wasn't Future Skullius.

As though sensing all their collective emotion and thoughts, Future Skullius said to the three:

"No need to worry. You will only be watching. I will do all the work."

No saw a need to fret indeed. If that really was the case...

The trio accepted to participate in the taming ritual as spectators.

It was thrilling and chilling.

Kenno, Aurolio, and Elita could hardly contain themselves. To be able to witness the strength of this imposing, mature version of Skullius felt like a once-in-a-lifetime event.

Unbeknownst to them, it was going to be more frightening than thrilling. After all, Future Skullius was…