Chapter 73: Chapter 73
Nolan found himself someplace between reality and a dream. A perpetual void lit by the grace of uncountable stars. He looked at the strings of silver light loathfully.
He wanted to break into a fit of laughter for having survived, but he hated the Spell too much to show it a pleasant expression. He'd much rather share those with Nova and Lancel. Maybe Jun as well.
He waited for the accursed thing to complete its appraisal, rapping his foot on the emptiness in his impatience.
[Aspirant! Your trial is over.]
[Spurned for the sins of his father, disgrace was the yoke the Sons of Shadow wished to set upon the prince's neck. He crossed swords with prince and prisoner alike, and in the end, broken and bloodied, he was offered a seeming refuge for his troubles, though in truth, it was a snare upon his destiny. But he chose death instead, for in death, he would have honor befitting a crown.]
[You have defeated two dormant humans, name unknown.]
[You have defeated a dormant human, Demos.]
[You have received the respect of Gaius, the Shadow of Doubt.]
[You have worn the Crown of Thunder.]
[You have achieved much despite considerable difficulty!]
[Final appraisal: incredible. Your wiles are admirable.]
Incredible? That was great! He could do with that.
[Dreamer Nolan, receiver your boon!]
[Your Aspect is ready to evolve. Evolve Aspect?]
"Yes."
[Dormant Aspect Deposed Prince is evolving…]
[New Aspect acquired.]
[Aspect Rank: Transcendent.]
Nolan pumped his fists in the air.
[Aspect Name: Storm Prince.]
[One of your Attributes is ready to evolve.]
Nolan struggled to keep a smile from blooming on his face. If his parents were here, they would have been so proud. Mum, I did it. I survived. Pops, didn't I tell you I'd get an Ascended Aspect? Well, hehe, I got a Transcendent one instead.
Nolan wiped his smile away and summoned his runes.
Aspect: [Storm Prince].
Aspect Rank: Transcendent.
Aspect Description: [You are a fearsome ruler of calamity. You reach out and pluck the lightning from the heavens, and in the dark hours, you send thunder to frighten your enemies. But despite your power, you have only devastation to show for it, for what can a storm preserve?]
The description troubled Nolan. It sounded great, but it frightened him.
He tried to distract himself and looked for his Attributes. One of them was ready to evolve.
Attributes: [Swift Hand], [Storm's Spawn].
[Storm's Spawn] is ready to evolve. Proceed?
"Yes."
Immediately, the name and the description of the Attribute changed. The new runes read:
Attribute: [Storm's Heir].
[Storm's Heir] Attribute description: [The storms have claimed you for a son. You bear their wrath and might, and they soothe you.]
Nolan sighed. At least he wasn't cursed anymore!
[The First Seal is broken.]
[Awakening dormant powers…]
Something stirred within Nolan's chest. He laid down. It was said to be a comforting experience on its own, but Nova told him that lying down made it even nicer.
It felt like his soul was being shaken awake. From within, a comforting warmth radiated into every speck of him. It was as if he were a plant facing the sun on a warm day. He felt his mind clear, muscles strengthen, and bones bolster. The power rebuilt his organs and blood vessels, and all else was rebuilt and revitalized. After the agony of his First Nightmare, what would he not give to feel like this for the rest of his life?
After some time, the sun set, and night came with its cool embrace to wash away his aches and discomfort. Then the coolness moved up to his eyes and brain. His vision doubled.
Aside from the strange realm of the Nightmare Spell, he could also see what he knew to be his Soul Sea. A bright star burned high above, shining bright and nice. It felt warm. This was his soul…his. Wow.
A sphere of light orbited his Soul Core. It was the memory he received from Demos. He went to summon its runes, but the Spell had other plans. Its voice pulled him out of his Soul Sea.
[Awakening Aspect Ability…]
'Please, please, let me summon bolts of lightning I can set Nova on fire with,' he pleaded.
[Aspect Ability acquired.]
[Aspect Ability Name: Lightning Generation.]
Nolan quickly summoned his runes.
Name: Nolan.
True Name: —
Rank: Dreamer.
Soul Core: Dormant.
Soul Fragments: [0/1000].
Memories: [Traitor's Blade.]
Echoes: —
Aspect: [Storm Prince].
Aspect Rank: Transcendent.
Aspect Abilities: [Lightning Generation].
Aspect Ability Description: [You can generate lightning.]
'Yes!'
The Spell hadn't finished.
[All power has a price.]
[You have received a Flaw.]
[Your flaw is: ...]
Nolan's carefully controlled expression slipped…and he keeled over, grabbed his belly, and laughed.
Flaw: [Erratic Mania.]
Flaw Description: [You will randomly and periodically enter states of mania.]
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
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