Chapter 102: History and Choice

Kaius leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees as he thought about what he wanted to ask Porkchop. The fact that his friend’s secret skill was a binding one was a shock. The fact that it wasn’t one of the predatory command and control types even more so. He was incredibly interested, and had already made his mind up. Sure, it would mean that he would have no dedicated glyph-binding skill, but having literally pioneered the art he would be delusional to think that he wouldn’t get offered classes relating to it. Especially since he had a rune skill, which more than likely would evolve in that direction as he progressed.

An unbreakable link that would let them fight as one, and came with significant experience advantages was too good to pass up. He just had a few more questions.

“Will it affect skill growth?” he asked.

“No,” Porkchop shook his head. “And for that you should be thankful.”

“Oh?” Kaius said with a tilt of his head.

“If our powerful bodies and strengthened resources are a greater beasts boon, then our slower rate of skill growth is our bane. It is not something we spread widely.” Porkchop explained.

His eyes widened, staring at his friend in surprise. That was unexpected, but also made a cruel sort of sense to Kaius. The system was fair in its dealings, rewarding those with the luck, strength, knowledge, and resolve to push themselves to new heights. He’d also thought it a little odd at the sheer unrivalled advantages all greater beasts had. Long life and overwhelming might were hard to overcome, but if it came at the cost of slower skill growth it would make it much harder for a beast to ascend tiers with capped skills – at least without putting off the class evolution for extended periods of time. With how vital that was to both class and skill development, it was a significant issue.

“Well, that makes me feel a little better about all those extra years you got to work on your skills.” Kaius said with a shake of his head.

Porkchop snorted. “Without those, no greater beast would ever be able to finish a legacy. I am something of an anomaly for having finished mine so early, and that was only because I found the dens so boring that all I did was practice.”

Kaius grinned. That was a feeling he could empathise with, what with his own childhood of training in the outer reaches of the Sea. Though, as he thought more about what it meant that Porkchop had a slower rate of skill levelling, a frown of worry crossed his face.

“What about this bond skill, will you have any difficulty with capping it before we fight the Guardian? We’ll need every edge we can get.”

“It’s not that slow, Kaius.” Porkchop snorted. “It’s more of an issue for the massive amount of skills over the course of a complete legacy. Besides, the bond levels a little differently than most others, with everything we have been through I will be very surprised if we don’t cap it immediately. After that, it will grow naturally as we fight and explore together.”

That was a relief. He wouldn’t have minded waiting, but having the skill capped would mean they would be able to evolve it immediately.

“And what of when it evolves?” Kaius asked. “What changes? Or was what you were talking about the evolved option.” He could understand if it was, that sort of experience share was far more than he expected from an unmerged base general skill.

Porkchop grew quiet, before he softly answered his question a moment later. “I don’t know. No one has taken the skill as the capstone to a legacy before.”

Kaius stared at his friend in surprise. “What? How?”

“It’s an old skill, Kaius,” Porkchop explained. “Grandfather might have been an Observed, but even the Matriarch’s memories get spotty about that time, he didn’t have a complete legacy. There were a handful of others that have made use of them, and each and every one was during his living reign, before the dens had acquired a full set. After every one of those ended with a meles’ growth getting crippled due to their bond companion being unable to keep up, no one has touched the thing until that cub. The same one who broke his legacy.”

Kaius leaned back, whistling in surprise. “So we’d be going in blind then.

“We would.” Porkchop nodded.

Kaius paused, digesting the information. There was some risk. Any skill that involved a bond of that intensity could directly influence his personality, but the chance was small. Besides, he trusted Porkchop with his life, if he was willing to gamble, who was he to say no? He wasn’t the kind of person to turn down a skill that was even stronger that expected just because of a few unknowns.

“And what of the dens, and the elves? I know we aren’t in any rush to visit the inner Sea, but I would still like to go there, and visit the conclaves, at some point in my life,” he asked.

“The dens would accept it for what it is, though they may think me foolish if we have not yet proven our ability to grow together. Hopefully by the time we return that will have long since been confirmed.” Porkchop explained, stretching out on the cold stone of the kitchen floor. “The elves are different. Most will think you blessed and honourable due to gaining my ‘favour’.” Porkchop rolled his eyes. “Unfortunately, some will be more difficult. Either canonising you, or thinking you an undeserving heretic. A good deal of personal might will insulate you from both extremes.”

Kaius chewed his lip. Another good reason to put off an exploration of the depths of his forest home. Elves were skilled, long lived, and capricious. He had no desire to find himself at odds with a warband unless he had the power to put things to bed. Permanently if need be.

A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.

“Well!” Kaius clapped. “A good thing that is a problem for a much later day, then.”

He leaned forwards, locking eyes with the deep red and gold orbs of his friend. “I’m in.”

Porkchop slumped, drooping to the ground in relief. “Thank the gods.”

Kaius grinned and stood up, making sure the woollen blanket wrapped around his waist was still firmly in place. He took a seat next to his friend, clapping him over the shoulder and scratching between his shoulderblades. “I appreciate the trust in sharing this with me; I understand it is something the Dens would not want shared.”

“It’s not that.” Porkchop said, leaning into his touch. “I was worried you wouldn’t be interested. Can you imagine how embarrassing that would have been?!”

Kaius laughed, deep and bellowing. “Of course I am interested, you dolt, I would be dead a dozen times over without you. Who else would I want at my side when I inevitably do something stupid like trying to fight a dragon? Besides, the skill sounds strong.”

“It is,” Porkchop agreed. “At least it supposedly was what helped Grandfather and Orym stabilise the sea. Unsurprising, considering it is a Unique skill at baseline.”