Embrace of the void

The next day, Michael stood before the Awakened Guild building.

Are you ready? Nyxar's voice echoed in Michael's mind.

Yes, Michael replied, stepping inside. The interior was just as he remembered—bustling with Awakened individuals and employees. He approached the reception desk and recognized the same employee who had registered him previously. She looked surprised to see him again.

 "How can I help you, Mr. Nightshade?" she asked.

 "I'm here to meet Mr. Lucian Grey. I have an appointment."

 "Okay, please wait a moment while I check," she said. Michael seated himself on a nearby chair.

A few minutes later, the receptionist returned with news that the leader was waiting for him on the lower floor of the guild. She led him down.

Michael descended in the elevator to a vast courtyard on the lower level. Lucian Grey, the leader of the Awakened Guild, stood in the center.

 "Are we going to do it here?" Michael asked, greeting him.

 "You seem quite eager," Lucian replied with a hint of amusement. "Just a moment." He produced a crystal from his ring, closing the door and disabling the surveillance devices while activating isolation formations.

 "Now, no one can sense what happens here. In fact, I've prepared this floor for your training. I expected you would ask for my help, but you managed to break through on your own. You are quite talented."

 "In the future, you should come here twice a week; I will assist you with your training."

Michael's excitement was palpable.

Nyxar emerged from Michael's shadow, grinning. "I'll train with you too, old man."

Lucian, unfazed by Nyxar's impudence, replied, "As you wish." He then instructed Michael to present the corpses of the orc leader and his guard.

Michael retrieved the bodies. The orc leader's corpse was marred with wounds and deformities inflicted by Nyxar's skills, while the guard's body was severely charred.

"Will the condition of the bodies affect the operation?" Lucian inquired.

 "I don't believe so," Michael answered, recalling the headless goblin he had successfully revived.

Lucian produced the Spirit's Resurgence Potion and instructed Michael to drink it.

Michael downed the potion in one swift gulp, savoring its sweet, addictive flavor—far from the bitterness of typical healing or mana recovery potions.

Upon consuming the potion, Michael felt rejuvenated, as if he were reborn. A sensation akin to a powerful explosion coursed through him.

He then took out a Rank S Mana Core and Dark and Fire Crystals to use on the corpse.

Michael activated his Undead Revival skill on the leader's body, immediately following it with his innate ability. His proficiency with the skill had notably improved since his experience with Nyxar.

Moments later, Zaragoth's corpse began to tremble, engulfed in non-burning black and purple flames. Changes rapidly unfolded before Michael's eyes.

As the process continued, Michael felt his mana deplete. He quickly drank the potion and persisted with his skill.

In mere seconds, the flames extinguished, revealing a striking purple orc adorned with intricate black tattoos. His eyes burned with the same black and purple flames, and his dark hair was braided neatly behind his head.

The orc's appearance was both majestic and formidable, leaving Michael in awe. Lucian observed the transformation with a stern expression. "While I witnessed the process, I cannot fully comprehend what transpired. This orc's race has transformed, yet the essence of the orc bloodline remains. It's remarkable."

Michael turned to the orc and asked, "Can you speak?"

 "Yes," the orc responded.

 "What is your name?" Michael inquired.

 "You may call me whatever you wish, sir," the orc replied, bowing respectfully.

After a moment of contemplation, Michael declared, "Your name will be Varagoth."

He then examined Vragoth's attributes:

Status:

{Name: Vragoth}

{Age: -}

{Class: Hellflame Shaman}

{Bloodline: Hell Orc}

{Race: Voidwalkers}

{Rank:E+}

{Strength: E+}

{Agility: E+}

{Stamina: ∞}

{Perception: E+}

{Intelligence: E+}

{Mana: E+}

{Charm: E+}

{Affinities: Fire (S), Darkness (S), Void (A)}

{Skills: Mana Sense (Intermediate), mana Manipulation (Intermediate)}

{Techniques: None}

{Class Skills: Hell flame, Hell Tornado, Hell Spears, Hell Chains, Black Hole, Mana Drain} 

{Bloodline Skills: Hell flame, Fire immunity, Telekinesis} 

{Race skills: void immunity}

{Innate Abilities: Absolute Explosion}

With a sense of accomplishment, Michael felt the weight of his new companion's potential and the journey that lay ahead.

Although the orcs' abilities differed from Nyxar's, they were nonetheless impressive.

The orcs had transformed into Void beings, gaining the skill Void Immunity, similar to Nyxar, while their bloodline evolved into that of the Hell Orc. Michael was uncertain whether this bloodline originated with Vragoth or was a byproduct of his new abilities.

Vragoth's class and skills were intrinsically linked to Hell. He functioned as a living missile launcher, with even his innate ability designed for destruction. Michael felt a surge of satisfaction regarding Vragoth and his formidable capabilities.

Intrigued by Vragoth's racial skill, Hell Flame, Michael decided to consult Lucian.

"Grandpa Lucian, my summon has acquired a skill called Hell Flame. I've heard of similar abilities. Can you tell me more about them?"

Lucian's eyes widened in astonishment at Vragoth's skill, and he began to explain.

"There are seven known types of flames in our world: Soul Flame, Frost Flame, Corruption Flame, Hell Flame, Dragon Flame, Celestial Flame, and Crimson Flame. Each type possesses its own advantages and disadvantages."

Lucian extended his hand, conjuring a small white flame with a bluish tint. The flame radiated an icy chill that made Michael shiver.

"This is the Frost Flame. It can freeze anything it touches. My skill allows me to create and shape this flame freely, integrating it into my techniques and skills."

He continued, "The Hell Flame, by contrast, is an incredibly destructive force. Unlike the Celestial Flame, which can even heal wound , the Hell Flame poses a significant danger to its wielder."

Lucian elaborated further. "Each flame has its strengths and weaknesses. The Dragon Flame is considered the strongest, as it embodies nearly all flame types."

"What do you mean by 'almost universal'?" Michael queried.

"The Dragon Flame shares attributes with the Hell Flame in its destructiveness, while also possessing qualities of the Soul Flame. For instance, an ice dragon would wield the Dragon Flame with properties akin to the Frost Flame. This versatility is why dragons are deemed the most fearsome creatures; it's fortunate they remain on the continent of Frostholm and don't disturb our lands."

Michael absorbed the information intently and then asked, "Is there any other type of flame beyond these?"

Lucian shrugged. "Our world is vast, filled with the strange and unknown. It's possible there are others who have awakened different types of flames, but they might choose to conceal them."

Michael pondered the implications, particularly regarding his skill, Void Flame, as Nyxar silently entertained similar thoughts.

"Now, let's proceed with reviving the next body," Lucian suggested.

After a brief rest, Michael prepared to revive the guard's body. Based on his previous encounter, he deduced that the guard had affinities for both wind and lightning. He produced a lightning crystal but realized he lacked a wind crystal. Luckily, Lucian had one on hand.

Once he acquired the wind crystal, Michael took out an S-class mana core and initiated the revival process again. After several minutes of intense focus, Michael felt his mana deplete, and before him stood another orc.

This orc bore a striking resemblance to Vragoth but was more massive, his muscular build reminiscent of the Hulk—now transformed into the Purple Hulk.

I will name you Morgoth

Michael examined Morgoth's status:

Status:

{Name: Morgoth}

{Age: -}

{Class: Thunderfury Berserker}

{Bloodline: Storm Orc}

{Race: Voidwalkers}

{Rank:E}

{Strength: E}

{Agility: E}

{Stamina: ∞}

{Perception: E}

{Intelligence: E}

{Mana: E}

{Charm: E}

{Affinities: Lightning (S), Wind (S), Void (A)}

{Skills: Dual Axe Mastery (Intermediate), mana Slash (Intermediate)}

{Techniques: None}

{Class Skills: Storm Berserk, Storm Blade, Storm Slash, Flash Step} 

{Bloodline Skills Berserk, Regeneration, Lightning Immunity} 

{Race skills: void immunity}

{Innate Abilities: Storm Zone}

Morgoth, while powerful, paled in comparison to Vragoth. Though their potential was not as high as Nyxar's, it was still considerable. Each of the three orcs had gained the Void Immunity skill, along with varying degrees of Void Affinity.

Michael mused, Perhaps the absence of age in their status panels is because Nyxar merged with my soul, whereas these orcs were merely enhanced by the soul potion and revived anew.

"I'm exhausted and need to rest. Is there somewhere I can recuperate, old man?" Michael asked Lucian.

"Head to the end of the hall; there's a room you can use," Lucian replied.

"Thanks. I'll go now. You can stay and explore your new abilities," Michael said to the orcs.

As he entered the room, Michael collapsed onto the couch, fatigue overtaking him.