Watcher of Fate

The desert stretched out in every direction, an endless sea of shifting dunes and deepening shadows as twilight settled over the landscape. The last light of the day bled away, casting long, dark fingers across the sand as the air cooled and the stars began to blink into existence overhead. Elara and Lily moved steadily through the dunes, their eyes set on the faintly glowing golden thread of fate that wound through the terrain ahead, guiding them toward their destination.

As they walked, Elara’s mind wasn’t on the golden thread or the stars beginning to twinkle above; it was on something she’d seen earlier when she brought up her status screen. She had been glancing over her stats after completing Lyrielle’s Request, and everything seemed as expected. Her skills were listed in detail, each categorized under her class, [Watcher of Fate]. Yet, one section caught her attention and left her puzzled: the section labeled “Racial Skills.”

It was completely blank.

She’d noticed it before but had never thought much about it. Most humans didn’t have racial skills; she knew that much. Humans were more like blank slates when it came to racial abilities, unlike the beastkin, demons, or other more “monster-like” races, who often had powerful innate skills. Still, seeing that empty section made her wonder. Was she missing out on something important? Or was the absence of racial skills actually an advantage in some way? The more she thought about it, the more questions bubbled up in her mind.

Elara glanced at Lily, watching her companion continue their steady pace through the sands. Lily, with her keen golden eyes and the way she glided effortlessly over the shifting ground, was a perfect example of someone with strong racial skills. Elara had seen her use illusions that felt more real and solid than any illusion magic she’d ever seen from others, and she’d heard tales of the Kitsune’s ability to charm and mislead with a glance or a word. Those skills seemed more intrinsic and potent than what Elara understood from her class abilities.

It was time to ask. If anyone could explain the difference, it would be Lily.

“Lily,” Elara began, breaking the quiet between them, “I’ve been thinking about what you said earlier, why you need a new class and how it complements what you already have. What do you know about the difference between class and racial skills?”

Lily’s golden eyes flicked toward Elara, glimmering with interest in the dying light. She seemed to consider the question momentarily as if weighing how best to answer. A small, knowing smile played across her lips. “That’s a good question, Elara. Most people don’t think about that—they just accept the skills they’re given and move forward. But understanding the difference between class and racial skills can greatly affect how you approach your growth and potential.”

Elara nodded, eager to hear more. “I’ve noticed that your skills, especially your illusions, feel… different. They have solidity and depth unlike anything I’ve seen from others. It’s almost like they’re… beyond what the usual class skills can do.”

Lily chuckled softly, her tails swaying behind her as they continued through the cooling sands. "That’s because they are different. My illusions are racial skills, not class skills. They’re part of my Kitsune heritage, something I’m born with. Racial skills fundamentally differ from class skills in that they aren’t borrowed from the System. They come from within, something deeper, tied to who you are."

Elara furrowed her brows, trying to fully grasp the concept. “So, racial skills are passed down, like an inheritance?”

“Exactly,” Lily replied, her voice carrying a note of satisfaction. “They’re tied to genetics, to lineage, to the very essence of what you are. And because of that, they’re usually more powerful and unique than class skills. But they also come with their own limitations.”

Elara nodded, following along. “What kind of limitations?”

Lily’s expression turned slightly more serious as she explained. “Racial skills are often found in what people call ‘monster-like’ races. Kitsune, dragons, vampires, demons, beastkin, all of them tend to have racial skills. These skills are often very potent but limited in scope. They’re specific to the nature of the race itself. For example, my illusions aren’t just tricks of light and shadow. They’re manifestations of my Kitsune nature, tied to my spiritual energy. They don’t use mana in the same way a class-based illusion might, and they aren’t easily dispelled. They’re real, in a sense, and far harder to break.”

Elara absorbed this, her mind turning over the implications. “So, because your illusions are tied to your race, they’re more powerful and can’t be countered by normal means?”

Lily nodded. “That’s right. But here’s the catch, racial skills are generally more limited. I can’t just pick up any skill I want. My abilities are tied to what it means to be a Kitsune. And that’s true for most races with strong racial skills. A dragon might have a racial skill that gives them their legendary breath attack, but they can’t just learn magic that doesn’t fit their nature. It’s a trade-off. I get potent illusions, but my path for new skills is narrower.”

Elara’s eyes widened as she began to understand the balance at play. “And that’s why you’re so careful about choosing a new class,” she said. “You don’t want to pick something that overlaps or limits what you can already do with your racial skills.”

“Exactly,” Lily confirmed. “Taking a class that grants more illusion spells wouldn’t help me. It would be redundant. Instead, I want something that complements what I already have, a class that expands my capabilities in a way that fits with my nature as a Kitsune, not one that’s trying to shoehorn me into a role that doesn’t suit me.”

Elara was beginning to see the full picture now. “And most humans don’t have racial skills,” she mused aloud, “so they have more flexibility in their class choices, right?”

Lily nodded. "Exactly. Most humans don’t have inherent racial skills. They’re more like blank slates. The same restrictions do not bind them without those powerful innate abilities. They get far more flexibility in their class selection and tend to experience faster growth in their class skills. It’s like the System compensates for that lack of innate power by giving them more freedom and adaptability."

Elara considered this, her mind racing with the implications. “So, in a way, it’s like a trade-off. Races with racial skills get power and uniqueness at the cost of flexibility, while humans and those without racial skills get to adapt and evolve more freely.”

Lily smiled, clearly pleased that Elara was following along. “Exactly. It’s about understanding what your strengths are and how to use them. Humans have the advantage of being able to mix and match classes, to pivot when they need to and to cover their weaknesses. Someone like me, though? I’ve got a different kind of power that’s hard to counter or break, but it means I need to be more deliberate with how I build my skills and abilities.”

Elara nodded, feeling a deeper understanding settle over her. “That makes sense. Thanks for explaining it, Lily. Understanding these things is good, especially when deciding on our next steps.”

Lily’s grin widened, her eyes glinting in the growing twilight. “You’re welcome, Elara. Knowledge is power, after all. And the more you know how the System works, the better you can play the game. It’s not just about raw strength; it’s about knowing how to use what you have.”

Elara gave Lily a genuine smile, feeling a warmth in her chest that she hadn’t felt in a long time. “Thanks, Lily. I appreciate you becoming my teacher, especially here where things aren’t easy.” She paused, her expression softening. “I’ve felt lost for a long time now, wandering from one challenge to the next, trying to find my path. It’s good to have someone who.”

Her words caught in her throat as a pang of guilt struck her. She had almost forgotten, no, she had forgotten, her deal with Kael. She had made a promise, and in her rush to escape Tartarus and sort through her own goals, she had lost sight of that commitment. The weight of that realization settled heavily on her shoulders, and she felt a mixture of frustration and self-reproach build up inside her.

Elara’s smile faded, replaced by a tightness in her expression. She breathed, feeling the familiar pull of [Dimensional Link] as she entered her Spirit Domain. With a practiced motion, she opened her inventory and carefully retrieved the small, seemingly ordinary bauble that Kael had given her. It was a small, rounded object, smooth to the touch, and appeared completely inert when she had last seen it. As she held it in her hand, it began to pulse with a faint, rhythmic glow, like a heartbeat under a layer of glass.

Lily’s gaze sharpened, her eyes narrowing as she looked at the bauble. "What’s that?" she asked, her voice laced with curiosity and a hint of concern. "I’ve seen you pull out all sorts of things from your inventory, but I don’t remember seeing that one before."

Elara sighed, her fingers tightening slightly around the glowing bauble. “It’s from my last teacher,” she said, her voice quieter now, tinged with a mix of regret and frustration. “Kael. He showed me how to hide my aura, a crucial skill navigating Tartarus. In exchange, I promised to bring this bauble with me out of Tartarus to the same realm I was going to. It’s a sort of anchor, I think. A way for him to escape Tartarus as well.”

Lily’s expression softened, understanding dawning in her eyes. “So, you owe him a favor,” she said, her tone less questioning and more contemplative. “And this is the price for that favor.”

Elara nodded, feeling the weight of that obligation settle in her chest. “Yeah. I almost forgot about it with everything that’s been happening. But it looks like… maybe he’s trying to use it now.” She stared at the bauble in her hand, watching the soft glow that pulsed within it, waiting for something more to happen. She half-expected Kael to materialize in front of them or for some signal that he had crossed over. But minutes passed, and nothing happened. The bauble continued to glow faintly, but there was no other sign.

Elara frowned, worry creeping into her mind. “I don’t know what’s going on,” she muttered. “It should have worked by now if he was trying to come through. Maybe something’s wrong on his end.”

Lily watched her momentarily before speaking, her voice calm and steady. “Whatever it is, we can’t do much about it from here. If he’s stuck or delayed, that’s on him. We still have our own tasks to handle.”

Elara nodded reluctantly, slipping the bauble back into her pocket. She could feel the faint pulse of light through the fabric, a reminder that Kael’s fate was still uncertain. “You’re right. We should keep moving. I’ll just have to hope he figures it out.”

Lily gave her a reassuring nod. “We’ve got enough on our plate. Let’s focus on finding that sanctuary and preparing for the ritual. If your teacher does manage to make it through, we’ll deal with it then.”

Elara nodded, taking a deep breath to steady herself. She could still feel the faint pulse of the bauble in her pocket, a subtle reminder of her promise to Kael. But Lily was right, they couldn’t afford to get distracted now. They had a quest to complete, and every moment counted.

The desert stretched out before them, the cool night air slowly giving way to the creeping warmth of dawn. The stars above began to fade, one by one, as the first light of day approached from behind them. Elara and Lily kept their pace steady, following the faintly glowing golden thread that wound its way across the dunes. The thread was a constant, unwavering guide, cutting through the desert landscape like a line of light only they could see.

For hours, they traveled in silence, their footsteps crunching softly against the sand. The landscape around them was empty and vast, the dunes shifting with the wind but otherwise still. The only sound was the soft rustle of the sand beneath their feet and the distant whisper of the wind. As the sky lightened, the shadows of the night slowly receded, replaced by the pale hues of dawn. The first hints of orange and pink painted the horizon, casting long shadows behind them and creating a sense of depth in the otherwise flat expanse of the desert.

Elara’s eyes were fixed on the golden thread, her thoughts focused on what lay ahead. She felt a mix of anticipation and tension building in her chest, knowing that finding the right place for Lily’s ritual was crucial. If they could secure a proper sanctuary, Lily could perform the class selection ritual without interruption, and they’d both be stronger for it. But the desert was a vast, empty place, and there was no guarantee they’d find what they needed quickly.

Elara spotted something in the distance as the sun’s first rays crested the horizon behind them, bathing the desert in a soft, golden light. She squinted against the glare, trying to make out the shape slowly emerging ahead. At first, it was just a dark smudge on the horizon, but as they moved closer, it began to take form, crumbling walls, jagged stone pillars, and the outlines of what might have once been buildings.

“There,” Elara said, pointing toward the distant structure. “I think I see something, a ruin of some sort.”

Lily shaded her eyes with her hand, her ears twitching as she focused on the sight ahead. “You’re right,” she said, a note of interest in her voice. “It looks like the remnants of an old settlement or maybe a temple. Could be exactly what we’re looking for.”

The golden thread stretched out toward the ruins, guiding them directly toward the crumbling structures. Elara felt a small surge of hope rise within her. “If those ruins are intact enough, we might be able to use them as a sanctuary for the ritual. At the very least, it could provide cover and protection from the elements and any wandering creatures.”

Lily nodded, her tails swaying behind her as they quickened their pace. “And if we’re lucky, some residual magic or wards might still be left in place. Old temples and settlements like these sometimes hold on to the echoes of their past.”

They pressed on, their eyes fixed on the ruins ahead. As they drew closer, the details became clearer. The ancient stone structures were weathered by time and sand, but some walls stood tall. Pillars rose like skeletal fingers against the sky, and crumbling archways hinted at a long-lost grandeur. A few scattered buildings, partially buried in sand, lay in disrepair, their roofs caved in and walls cracked. It was clear that whatever this place had once been, it was now nothing more than a husk of its former self.

But even in its decay, there was a sense of potential. Elara could see places where the walls were still intact enough to provide shelter, where the foundations were stable enough to set up a casting circle. It wasn’t perfect, but it could work. And that was more than she could have hoped for in the middle of the desert.

Lily’s eyes were bright with a mix of curiosity and excitement. “Looks like we found our sanctuary,” she said. “Or at least, something close enough to one.”

Elara nodded, feeling a sense of determination settle over her. “Let’s check it out. We need to make sure it’s safe and see what we can use.”

With the ruins looming closer and the dawn breaking behind them, Elara and Lily moved forward, ready to explore this forgotten place and turn it into the sanctuary they needed for the ritual.