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SoK Chapter 175
🕑 Added 2025-06-25 17:37:05 +0000 UTC***
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A/N: I tried dictating then editing this chapter. Let me know if it feels weird or off or whatever. It helped me to actually write when I was too distracted, so I’m a little hopeful haha.
Wind Scythe, (Silver (II)): You are a Descendant of Kukulkan, and have displayed a familiarity with his rule over the winds, even going so far as to establish a Divine Authority over the concept of Storm. You have hunted Copper (I) tiered Elites and Bosses with your winds. This Skill will better hone your ability to use Wind Manipulation as a weapon. This Skill will strengthen the cutting power of Wind Manipulation while decreasing the MP cost of all usage of the Wind Manipulation Skill with the intent to cut. This Skill will be enhanced by your existing Copper (I) tiered Divine Authority; Storm.
It wasn’t a glamorous Skill. It wasn’t an exciting one. But TJ also knew that Wind Scythe would be a key component of everything he did moving forward. He would need to continue to exercise his mind and his thinking with regards to how to use his Skills, but it was an absolute fact that he would need to lean further and further into the magical aspect of his Bloodline and transformation. Maybe as he progressed into Divinity in a truer sense, he would be able to spread himself further, but now, with potential enemies on every side and no true allies to be found for his cause, he needed to be as outstanding as possible.
“Kind of lame if you ask me.” Sarah said once TJ’d selected the Skill, though her face betrayed no such emotion. “I think it would be awesome if you were to just get inhumanly strong.”
“I already am, what with the whole ‘turning into a snake’ thing.” TJ said in a dry tone. “And you were one of the chief people who were attempting to dissuade me from taking Shredding Bite in the first place!”
“That doesn't mean I wouldn't enjoy it. If I’m gonna worship you, it would be cool if you were the best Neophyte, but it would be the best if you were the best at everything!”
“I believe that it is wise that you continue to lean into the specialization.” Farid disagreed. “You are only a man, and do not need to be a god right now.”
“But you always do…”
TJ turned away from the idle banter and instead turned his focus forward once again. Now, it was time for him to lead his people to their new home. In order to circumvent being stuck behind Tempe Town Lake, they would have to go far to the east or west… unless TJ could strike a deal with Acalan the Ahuizotl. Maybe if he could speak with the monster before bringing his allies near enough to put him on edge, they could come to an agreement before any potential violence occurred. The main problem with that would be getting to where he could find the creature, as where he had spoken with Acalan before was solidly within the boundaries of the New Republic’s patrols.
Decision made, TJ turned to speak to his people. “We have a potential ally for me to speak with.” TJ said without explanation. “I will need to speak with him and see if he is willing to help us in crossing the lake without having to go all the way around it.”
“Isn't that super dangerous?” William asked. “I'd rather take even a couple extra days of traveling to make sure that I was not entering the literal belly of a beast. And with all of us being Copper, can’t we make the trip much faster?”
“Not a bad point at its core,” TJ conceded, “but I will not bring anyone into a location so dangerous as the lake without being willing to put my life on the line to protect you all. I will repeat it again and again, I am here to protect people. Yes, my long-term goal is to protect my child and my family, but if you are willing to follow me and protect those I care about, you too will be my family. If you can believe me when I say that, then we will be able to move forward, trusting that what I do is with the intent to help all of you. Additionally, with this potential ally, passing through the lake should be safer than going around for the most vulnerable.”
“Good enough for me.” Seth said without any further ceremony. “Lead the way, Nascent Storm Serpent.”
The rest who had sworn themselves to his worship quickly fell in line as well. Those other few didn’t disagree or were instead simply unwilling to mention their own unwillingness in such a public setting. As such, they made their way just a couple miles to the east, away from the main areas that Sven’s followers had been scouting and patrolling. It wouldn't be long before TJ’s new group of followers reached the banks of the lake, and there he would see what he could do about to convincing an ancient water thing to listen to his suggestions.
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TJ forced himself only to watch as the weakest of his people fought against monsters so far below his notice that he wouldn't have registered them as a threat any longer. That Copper tiered monsters could be so forgettable to him was strange, though. With every level he gained, TJ realized more and more how impactful his evolutions were. That he reached Copper so early as well as qualified for the upgraded Class, Race, and Occupation that he did was another blessing.
Instead of interfering with his people’s training, TJ pulled his mind from considering other, unimportant things and listened as they shouted orders to each other and struggled against the weakest of Copper tiers. Though it was strangely frustrating to watch them struggle like this, it was key that he allowed them this opportunity, as well as many others like it. If he couldn’t bring himself to, then they wouldn’t ever be able to fulfill the roles that he had planned for them, not in the immediate future nor in his Pantheon however many months, years, and even decades in the future that that would occur.
Several hours later, with the bright sun of midday overhead, they finally approached Tempe Town Lake. It remained in broad strokes much the same as before, but as he looked at it, TJ could see that much of what had been carefully cultivated plant life and walkways was more and more becoming something of a wildlife's sanctuary. Or true wilderness.
The concrete edges of the lake were worn away into rocky beaches, the carefully tended brush previously planted at artistic locations was now growing wild and free, and the possibly dyed blue water had faded to a more natural green, while also becoming clearer than it had been before. Beyond that, TJ could see that the lake had expanded in every direction, going from a small man-made lake to what could only be considered a true lake. The far shore was, instead of a couple hundred yards, miles away, and the edges in both directions had continued spreading more and more. Somewhere deeper, a fish jumped from the water, sailing nearly ten feet into the air before splashing down into the water once again.
Just as soon as he came near enough to the water to consider calling out for Acalan, something stirred in the lake. A small part of him simply believed it would be the friendly Elite tier monster, but the rest of him decided to remain prudent. Instead of just believing that something invisible or hidden that approached during the apocalypse would be friendly, he called out to it.
“Acalan, is that you? if it is, reveal yourself.”
There was no response, except for an extending of the ripples that spread across the lake’s surface.
“Acolytes, prepare yourselves to fire on my command.”
TJ spoke the words more readily than he had assumed he would be able to. Instead of struggling over what commands he might make, now that he truly believed in his heart that he was a leader over these people, he would lead. He prepared a blade of wind of his own, feeling the efficiency and power that his new Skill granted him with such a simple attack. The thought of fighting the Wendigo Ritualist as it was in the Tutorial was a joke now. TJ could so easily destroy it, but how much would it have grown if it had been able to exterminate the Tutorial? Then there was also the fact that he was thinking about tactics and violence now as if they were something he’d always done. It was only nearly March, by his guess, and already he was so used to this new, violent world.
And in response, he would be violent. He gave the command.
“Three, two, one, fire!” Fortunately, his Acolytes followed his command, and he used his own prepared attack to bolster those of his subordinates. Arrows, bolts, stones, and more flew through the air towards the spreading ripples. Most of the attacks sunk into the water and seemed to strike true, but those from Seth and Tessie ripped through the water and whatever lay below with subtle explosions.
Blood pooled in the water as what could only be described as the opposite of mermaids lunged out of the water with tridents, nets, and claws ready for action. Their humanoid bodies were covered with scales, and their heads were like those of some sort of toothy, carnivorous fish. Even before TJ Appraised them, he curled his lips in disgust.
Ningyo (Copper (I)), 21
Ningyo (Copper (I)), 20
Ningyo (Copper (I)), 21
Ningyo (Copper (I)), 22
Ningyo Captain (Copper (I)), 25
For a moment, he considered confronting the captain himself. However, he decided against it, as his own people would need the experience. Another two or three of their foes, obviously a part of the approaching attackers in the first place, did not exit the water at all, though they were not dead. While the legged fish ran forward, Molly and Michelle took the front line, William and others falling in nearby as some of the strongest of TJ's followers put themselves in the most dangerous area for the fight.
TJ watched, and in a moment of inspiration, began to use his ritual. Instead of taking his time to ask for each person's permission, or to individually apply sigils on each, he cut the sigils on his hands with his own blood before running forward and putting his bloody palms on the back of each fighter's neck. They shivered as his Skill linked their resources with everyone else’s
Something inside of him told him that this would be another, even weaker version of the ritual, but as this was an option to complete in a pinch, he appreciated the creativity and possibility. Once done, he mentally monitored each person's resources, ready to provide his own as necessary. Fortunately, there was no need, as Sam, Mimi, and Molly shredded through the captain and then his subordinates without any notable issue. As the fifth death notification appeared, Sarah had had enough.
With a shout, she left forward into the water, her axe and shield in hand as her body somehow gained the silhouette of a snake. Just as soon as the form appeared, though, she was in the water, frothy pink bubbles filling the area. One, and then another two notifications for the monsters’ deaths flashed in TJ's eyes. He pursed his lips appreciatively as Sarah hauled herself out of the water and grinned for his approval. He decided to offer it with a tilt of his head and a thumbs up before then approaching the waterfront.
“You all stay back,” he said, gesturing for them to continue to step further away, “I have no idea how he is going to react to all of your presence.”
There were some obvious questions on many faces, but they did not ask them. Instead, under the direction of his nearly fanatical followers, all of his people allowed him to attempt to speak with this monster.
